Kenmore Cardiac CrusadeThe Rotary Club of Kenmore is partnering with Cardiac Crusade to Save Lives in Western New York
The Rotary Club of Kenmore is proud to announce its involvement in a life-saving initiative aimed at drastically improving sudden cardiac arrest survival rates across Western New York. Larry Coon, Past President of the Rotary Club of Kenmore, has partnered with Cardiac Crusade, a nonprofit organization dedicated to registering Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to ensure their accessibility in emergencies.
In collaboration with UBMD Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, UBMD Emergency Medicine, and the Erie County Health Department, the campaign officially launched on October 16th, World Restart a Heart Day, and will continue until February 14, 2025. The goal is to register 1,000 new AEDs across the eight-county region, helping to close the gap between Western New York and cities like San Diego, where over 2,600 AEDs are registered, and the survival rate from sudden cardiac arrest exceeds 50%. By comparison, the national average survival rate is less than 10%.
Statistics show that the quicker an AED is used after cardiac arrest, the better the chances of survival. If an AED is used within two minutes, the survival rate climbs to 80%, and if used within one minute, the survival rate is an astounding 90%. With such significant potential to save lives, ensuring AEDs are accessible in emergencies is crucial.
To participate or learn more, visit Cardiac Crusade and sign up to become an AED verifier.
- Larry Coon
Larry Coon stressed the importance of this initiative, stating:"Buffalo became the focus of the sports world when Damar Hamlin collapsed on national television from a sudden cardiac arrest. Partnering with Cardiac Crusade was already in our plans, but this event drove home the importance of our mission."
The campaign is enlisting volunteers to locate and verify AEDs throughout Western New York. To encourage participation, cash prizes will be awarded to the top three volunteers who register the most AEDs, with the first-place prize being $1,000. By signing up as AED verifiers, volunteers not only help make their community safer but also contribute to an effort that could save countless lives.
The Rotary Club of Kenmore invites all members and residents of Western New York to get involved in this vital cause.
Together, we can help ensure that lifesaving AEDs are readily available when they are needed most.
PHOTO (L to R): Larry Coon, Greg Coon
