SOUTHWICK – Southwick Regional High School received two very important pieces of equipment on Thursday afternoon in their auditorium. High school officials were given two AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators) that were donated and presented by KEVS Foundation.
A non-profit organization that tries to help educate and prevent sudden cardiac arrest by children and young adults, KEVS Foundation has donated several AED’s to schools that demonstrate or educate the importance of AED’S.
Almost three years ago, Southwick Regional High School made it a graduation requirement for freshmen to take CPR classes. Fast forward to June of this year, a Southwick High School staff member experienced sudden cardiac arrest while school was in session. The 31-year-old male was revived because of the use of an AED.
Susan Canning of KEVS Foundation speaks to faculty and staff about the importance of AED’s. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
Marcia Lameroux, who is the high school nurse, helped with that incident and was at the forefront of reaching out to KEVS Foundation about AED awareness and is grateful for the donation.
“Their generosity has been huge,” said Lameroux. “You just don’t know when that’s going to happen.”
Creating the KEVS Foundation in 2011, Susan Canning was glad to be able to give the high school two AED’S, as it’s what she advocates for on a regular basis.
“It’s a game changer, it’s a life changer,” said Canning. “It could be anybody, that’s the statistic.”
Superintendent Jen Willard sees a vital benefit in the AED’S being implemented for the athletic fields.
“Being that we’re such a vast campus and that our sports are down a hill and so far away from the buildings, it’s just so wonderful to be able to have one for our students when they’re on the playing field,” said Willard.
While speaking to faculty and staff at the high school on Thursday afternoon, Canning did announce that KEVS Foundation has yet again worked with Massachusetts legislation where by July 2018, every high school in Massachusetts will be required to have an AED present at every school sponsored event.
