Pitching in once again to increase survival rates of young athletes from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), the Peyton Walker Foundation will donate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to the Camp Hill Little League during the opening banquet Saturday, July 20 for the 2019 Little League State Tournament. Camp Hill is hosting the 2019 Pennsylvania State Little League Baseball Championship Tournament at Edward R Norford Memorial Stadium at Fiala Field, 417 S. 22nd Street, in the Borough on July 20-27.
According to the American Red Cross, AEDs can analyze the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. Because they are portable, AEDs can be used by anyone to potentially save a life. When someone is in cardiac arrest, it is imperative to follow three critical steps:
- CALL 911
- PUSH hard and fast on the chest (CPR)
- SHOCK with an AED
WHO: Andy Andrezeski, President, Camp Hill Little League
Julie Walker, Executive Director, The Peyton Walker Foundation
WHAT: AED Donation by The Peyton Walker Foundation to Camp Hill Little League
WHEN: Saturday, July 20, 6 p.m.
WHERE: Radisson Hotel Harrisburg,1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, Pa. 17011
***The Foundation also will provide CPR and AED demonstrations on the fields during the tournament on Sunday, July 21, starting at 9AM.
Recently, the Dillsburg Little League installed seven AEDs throughout their sports complexes. Just two days after installing the devices, a parent suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick actions of fellow parents and the use of an AED, his life was saved.
The Peyton Walker Foundation recognizes the vital importance of having these critical devices readily available and works relentlessly to make AEDs available to youth athletic leagues and nonprofits throughout Central Pa. To date, the Foundation has donated more than 100 AEDs.
“As a youth sports organization, Camp Hill Little League puts a lot of attention into the safety of our players. Having an AED from The Peyton Walker Foundation installed at our Fiala Building allows us to greater serve ALL members of our baseball and sports-loving community in the neighborhood, young and old. We are grateful for this donation and appreciate The Peyton Walker Foundation’s commitment to public health and safety,” said Andy Andrezeski, president of the Camp Hill Little League.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the #1 killer of student athletes. Every hour, every day we lose a child to SCA. Survival rates of sudden cardiac arrest are typically less than 10%. During cardiac arrest, brain death begins within a few minutes. The victim’s survival rate drops by an average of 10% for every minute that passes without treatment. Ambulances can take up to 20 minutes to arrive, which in many cases is too late. Therefore, it is critically important to have an AED available.
“Having AEDs available and on site isn’t enough; you also need training in how to use the devices,” noted Julie Walker, executive director of the Peyton Walker Foundation. “We continuously provide CPR and AED demonstrations throughout the region to educate community members on how to save a life.”
The Foundation also will provide life-saving training during the State Tournament on Sunday to parents, players, coaches and attendees who want to learn these vital skills.
Julie’s daughter, Peyton, was a sophomore at King’s College when SCA stole her young, vibrant life without warning. She was studying to be a physician assistant and wanted to work in healthcare. “Education and the availability of an AED can help prevent another family from living with the tragedy of losing a child to cardiac arrest,” added Walker.
More information can be found online at www.peytonwalker.org
Facts about Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA):
- SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. (over 600,000 annually).
- SCA is the #1 killer of student athletes in the U.S.
- Every hour, every day, a student dies from SCA.
- SCA is the leading cause of death on school campuses.
- Most heart conditions that lead to SCA are detectable and treatable.
About Peyton Walker Foundation: The Foundation holds FREE HEART SCREENING CLINICS for students ages 12-19 in the Central PA area. To date, they are proud to have screened approximately 2,500 students leading to potential life-saving medical attention in several cases. The Foundation also provides AED and CPR training to every STUDENT who attends their heart screenings allowing students and their families a chance to perform hands-on CPR and gain a better understanding of what an AED is and how to use it. The Foundation provides educational scholarships and other FREE community CPR and AED Trainings. Recently, the Foundation attended the PIAA District 3 Wrestling and Basketball Championships. Peyton Walker was a 19-year-old Mechanicsburg native, 2012 Trinity High School graduate, and a sophomore in college who was pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant at Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. when she suffered a Sudden Cardiac Arrest that took her young and vibrant life on November 2, 2013. Afterwards, her family started researching SCA, and found that kids are dying every day from heart issues that are NOT diagnosed. The PEYTON WALKER FOUNDATION was established in honor of Peyton’s memory and her dreams of a medical profession to help and care for others. Their mission is to increase awareness and survival rates of Sudden Cardiac Arrest through education, screening and training. Events, screenings and important updates can be found at PeytonWalker.org.