Page 78 - Cityview Jan-Feb 2017

THE IMPORTANCE OF CPR1) Ensure the scene is safe 2) Call 9113) Perform chest compressions, pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest on the line between the nipples.Every minute that passes a victim’ s chance of survival is decreased by 10 percent.Immediate and e ective CPR given by a bystander greatly increases chance of survival.Learn CPR—more than likely it will be performed on a loved one. 80 percent of cardiac arrests happen at home or in a private setting.Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than all forms of cancer combined.If your infant is choking, perform ve back slaps between the shoulder blades and then 5 chest compressions in between the nipples. Repeat until the object is dislodged.Communities with comprehensive AED programs that include CPR and AED training for rescuers have achieved survival rates of nearly 40 percent for cardiac arrest victims.The American Heart Association and CPR Choice of Knoxville have been training Knoxville to save lives for more than 10 years. Every February they host a free community classes in honor of American Heart month.Contact info@cprchoice.com or knoxvillecpr.com for information on how to learn and possibly save the life of a loved one.NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHTstroke events may be prevented with simple lifestyle changes. Use Heart Month as a starting point to work on your own heart health.”Today, the American Heart Association works toward that goal as the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization devoted to ghting heart disease and stroke, with more than 22.5 million volunteers and advocates supported by nearly 150 local o ces.Our local Heart Association is active in East Tennessee communities throughout the year, but February has two important dates to keep in mind. February 3 is National Wear RedDay, a perfect time to donate to the Go Red for Women campaign. The biggest fundraiser of the year is on February 25: the Knoxville Heart Ball. Last year, Heart Ball events raised close to $73 million, with support from over 100,000 individuals and corporations nation-wide.Eighty percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action. “That’s why we ask everyone to wear redon National Wear Red Day on February 3 and to donate to the Go Red For Women Campaign,” says Erpenbach. By doing this, you help support educational programs to increase women’sIT WAS GOD AND THE CPR THAT HELPED ME KEEP MY SON ALIVE. WITHOUT THAT TRAINING, I WOULDN’T HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO.awareness and critical research to discover scienti c knowledge about cardiovascular health. “This is such a fun way to kick o the month because it is so inspiring to see people across Knoxville decked out in their red,” notes Erpenbach. “We also have all of the newborn babies in our local hospitals in little red hats, handmade by volunteers, to raise awareness of cardiovascular defects being the number one birth defect in children.”The Heart Ball, AHA’s biggest fundraiserof the year, is on February 25 at the Knoxville Marriott. It is a respected, prominent, black-tie event with elegant surroundings, a gourmet seated dinner, and outstanding auction items. Contributions raised at the Ball directly bene t funding of biomedical research and ongoing educational programs, resulting in lives saved and enhanced health and wellness throughout our community. This year’s event is co-chaired by NJ Pesci and his wife, Mary-Anne.“Most of us have had or will have someone impacted by heart disease or other heart related health issues,” says Pesci. “According to the CDC, heart disease kills more Southerners than any other disease.”It was this education that saved young Stone Buckner’s life when his dad knew enough CPR to keep him alive a er his heart attack. David Buckner will never forget that.“In our case, it’s in Stone’s genetics, so he was like a loaded gun. It could have happened at any time, and I’m so thankful I had that CPR training from CPR Choice and the American Heart Association.” He has to pause a moment to collect himself. “We’ll never forget that, and we’ll always be grateful for them.”Tomi L. Wiley has been working in media for years, but her heart is in writing her rst novel.76JANUARY FEBRUARY 2017