| AEDs for DE Public School Gymnasiums!!!! |
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 In late June, Jonathan Kirch, Advocacy Director, American Heart Association Great Rivers Affiliate, informed us of more great news for Delaware public schools!! Mr. Kirch informed us that State Representative Joseph E. Miro, District 22, who is a member of the Joint Finance Committee, had obtained $100,000 for AEDs for Delaware public school gymnasiums. The money has been placed in the Department of Education's 2007-2008 budget.
At it's 2007 Heart Walk Kick-Off event, The American Heart Association (AHA) presented Representative Miro with an award for his special contribution to protecting lives of Delawareans from sudden cardiac death. The American Heart Association was kind enough to invite the Matthew Krug Foundation to attend the ceremony. Pictured from left to right are: Stew Krug (The Matthew Krug Foundation), Christina Bennett (SCA survivor and AHA Spokesperson), Jonathan Kirch, and Representative Miro. |
| Why is this additional money for AEDs so exciting? |
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As statistics show, to be most effective defibrillation needs to be within 3-5 minutes of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). Many of our public schools are large complexes or have multiple buildings. From discussions with nurses and administrators, it has been difficult to place one AED in a central location that allows the 3 minute response. Many SCAs occur during or shortly after physical activities such as basketball games, or gym class. Having an AED accessible to the gymnasium, will provide additional safety for the activities in the gym and make it easier for schools to provide AED response within the 3-5 minute window.
The additional AEDs can also provide the opportunity to upgrade AEDs at some schools. Several years ago, after the PAD (Public Access to Defibrillation) program initially provided AEDs to each high school, a few school districts were proactive and purchased additional AEDs for their schools. Those AEDs were typically the now obsolete monophasic type AED. These AEDs are not upgradeable to the 2005 AHA guidelines. They will still shock and save lives, but they should be phased out as soon as possible. The new money made available to the Department of Education (DOE) can allow the upgrades. We know that the DOE will use the money wisely to provide Delaware public schools with the best possible PAD program. |
| Youth Heart Watch - More Help for Schools |
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Has your school or school district received an AED(s) for the first time? Has your school district decided that a district wide protocol is needed? Although having an AED is a great thing, there is significant work to set up an excellent PAD program. If your staff is stretched thin, or you feel overwhelmed by the process, additional help is available from Youth Heart Watch. The Matthew Krug Foundation met Danielle Main, Youth Heart Watch Program Coordinator, earlier this Summer. Youth Heart Watch is associated with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The mission of Youth Heart Watch (YHW) is to prevent sudden cardiac death among children and adolescents by placing AEDs in schools, recreation centers and other public places. YHW does not donate AEDs. However, YHW will help a school find ways to raise funding to purchase AEDs. YHW also helps set up a school's PAD program protocol, helps with management of the AED (for example pad and battery replacement), and helps with training. The best part is that YHW services are at no cost to the school or district. If you would like to learn more about Youth Heart Watch, please use the link below. If you are interested in speaking to Danielle, please contact the Matthew Krug Foundation, and we will arrange a meeting. At present, we have plans to meet with the Charter School Network. We have also contacted all the public school districts in upper New Castle County.
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| CPR & AED Training in Delaware High Schools |
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During the recently completed 144th General Assembly, Senator Liam Sorenson ( Senate Minority Whip from District 6) and Representative Vincent A. Lofind (District 27) sponsored concurrent resolution 20 "Requesting the Delaware Department of Education to Study the Feasibility of Integrating Mandatory Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) / Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Training into High School Courses." A report of the study results was requested in 180 days. This is more great news for our battle against sudden cardiac arrest!
Ms.Susan K. Haberstroh, Executive Assistant to the Secretary of Education, is heading the study for the Department of Education. It is our understanding that the DOE met with the Office of Emergency Medical Services in early September. Future meetings with other groups are planned in the near future.
To review the resolution text, use the link below.
DE Senate Concurrent Resolution 20
Answer #1: Heart murmurs are most often caused by defective heart valves. A stenotic (sten-OT'ik) heart valve has a smaller-than-normal opening and can't open completely. A valve may also be unable to close completely. This leads to regurgitation, which is blood leaking backward through the valve when it should be closed. |
| AED Donations - Penns Grove-Carneys Point (NJ) Regional School District |
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In 2006, through a co-worker at the DuPont Chambers Works plant, I learned that none of the high schools in the local school districts (NJ) had an AED. We contacted Penns-Grove-Carneys Point School District (NJ) and learned that in the past they were given an AED by the local hospital. Unfortunately, the AED was defective, removed from service, but not replaced. On June 18, 2007, it gave us great pleasure to deliver a Cardiac Science PowerHeart G3 AED and alarmed cabinet to the School District. The AED package included adults pads, pediatric pads, carrying case, and ready kit.
Pictured left to right are Brian Collings (Area Manager, Human Resources, DuPont Chambers Works Plant), Stewart Krug (The Matthew Krug Foundation), Ms. Jean Spinelli (Principal, Penns Grove Middle School), and Dr. Joseph Massare (Superintendent of Schools, Penns Grove/Carneys Point Regional School District). |
| AED Donations - Pennsville NJ High School |
In 2006, we also spoke to Jamy Thomas, Pennsville HS Athletic Director, he confirmed the same AED situation that was learned from the Penns Grove-Carneys Point Regional School District. 
On June 25, 2007, thanks to a grant from the DuPont Chambers Works plant, the Matthew Krug Foundation delivered a Cardiac Science PowerHeart G3 Plus AED and alarmed cabinet to Pennsville High School. During the ceremony, we learned some great news. The School District is developing plans to purchase additional AEDs.
Pictured left to right are Steve Hindman (PMHS Principal), Jamy Thomas (PMHS Athletic Director), Stew Krug (The Matthew Krug Foundation), Mark Jones (Superintendent, Pennsville School District), and Brian Collings (Area Manager, Human Resources, DuPont Chambers Works Plant).
Answer #2: The Delaware Emergency Medical Services Oversight Council (DEMSOC) was formed pursuant to the Delaware Emergency Medical System Improvement Act of 1999 (HB332). The Council is charged with monitoring Delaware's Emergency Medical Services system to ensure that all elements of the system are functioning in a coordinated, effective and efficient manner in order to reduce morbidity and mortality rates for the citizens of Delaware. |
| Parent Heart Watch Public Service Announcement (PSA) |
As you are aware, The Matthew Krug Foundation is the "First State Affiliate" of Parent Heart Watch (PHW). Late is summer, PHW presented its first public service announcement (PSA) entitled "Rewind". Please take a moment view the PSA. Click on the link below. At the PHW web site, click on the "click here to view "Rewind"" picture.
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| With Great Appreciation |
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Thank you, Kara and Brad Fink
The Matthew Krug Foundation would like to acknowledge one of the many special donations made to the Foundation. On August 4, 2007, Matthew's cousin Kara Kolodziej married Mr. Brad Fink. In their time of celebration, they were kind enough to remember Matt and show their support for our efforts. In lieu of flowers for the wedding and reception, they donated the amount that would have been spent to the Matthew Krug Foundation. We thank Kara and Brad, promise to use the money wisely, and wish them the best as they begin married life.
Thank you, Mill Creek Fire Company
As many of you who have stopped by our information table, we always provide a demonstration of how an AED works. We have always used a CPR manikin to help make the presentation more realistic. In the past, Scott Cooper, of the Mill Creek Fire Company, has arranged for us to borrow one of their manikins. In August, 2007, Mill Creek Fire Company was kind enough to donate a new manikin to the Matthew Krug Foundation. We graciously accepted the manikin. This is an extremely valuable tool in our efforts to educate the public. |
| Donations |
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In order to achieve our goals, we need your support. If you know of any company or organization who might like to sponsor us, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss our mission with them. You may also consider giving a donation in honor of a friend or relative in lieu of giving a birthday or holiday gift.
If you would like to make a donation, please send your check to The Matthew Krug Foundation, PO Box 4860, Wilmington, DE 19808. One hundred percent of your donation will be used to purchase and donate an AED and/or AED cabinet, or provide a discount to a heart screening. Thank you for your support in protecting the lives of kids from sudden cardiac arrest. | |
