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Welcome to the long overdue first quarter issue of the SYH newsletter. Please accept our sincere apologies for the lapse in publishing the newsletter on a regular basis. We recognize that it is important to report the latest activities in a timely manner.
We hope that you will enjoy reading about the array of activities and events that filled the first quarter of 2009.
Wishing you health,
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AED Placements & Training |
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During the first quarter of 2009, SYH was proud to place AEDs at the following Orange County Public Schools:
Westbrooke Elementary School (WES)
Ocoee, FL
Robert Bixler, Principal
Sally Gravelly, School Health Assistant
Officer Michelle Tillman and Engineer Carl Curtis with the City of Ocoee Police and Fire Department assisted with training forty-eight (48) safety patrols in CPR and AED use. These trained students will now take these life-saving skills with them to Lakeview Middle School. SYH encourages others to take the lead of WES and help shape a generation of citizens who are ready, willing and able to aid when sudden cardiac arrest strikes.
 
Windermere Elementary School
Windermere, FL
Dr. Connie Chisena, Principal
Sue Acharekar, School Nurse
Debbie Negrete, School Nurse Program Chairperson
Thirteen (13) staff members took part in a four hour Heartsaver course. Carl Curtis, Engineer with the Ocoee Fire Department, assisted with the training.
Dillard Elementary School
Winter Garden, FL Patricia Minor, Registrar
Dillard Elementary has trained staff and more will be trained for the 2009-2010 school year.
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A Heartbeat Away PSA |
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 Parent Heart Watch (PHW), the national voice protecting youth from sudden cardiac arrest and preventable cardiac death has released its second Public Service Announcement (PSA), "A Heartbeat Away." This 30-second PSA addresses the importance of SCA awareness and depicts the critical need for action by first-responders through the use of CPR and publicly accessible AEDs.
Please help educate others by sharing "A Heartbeat Away" * Simply forward this email to family, friends, co-workers and youth-serving organizations!
SYH is a proud member of Parent Heart Watch.
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Tree of Life |
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 In February, SYH and Chick-fil-A stores of Ocoee, West Oaks Mall and Winter Garden partnered for Heart Month with the "Tree of Life" project. Chick-fil-A patrons generously contributed coins and dollars to help place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools. Each donor's name was placed on an SYH heart to show his/her support and then was added to the "Tree of Life."
SYH is grateful to Chick-fil-A and each patron for their support and generosity.
From L to R: Beth Otts, Unit Marketing Director for Chick-fil-A of Ocoee and West Oaks Mall; Martha Lopez-Anderson, President of SYH; and Jeane Boast, Owner of Chick-fil-A of Ocoee and Winter Garden. |
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You can Save a Life at School... |
Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) threatens lives everyday in classrooms and sports fields across the country. SYH is pleased to share "You Can Save a LIfe at School" ™, a mini-magazine and awareness campaign for schools launched by the SCA Foundation to help save more lives.
Campaign materials focus on the need for placement of automated external defibrillators, CPR-AED training, and heart screening in schools. The cover story describes the amazing rescue of high school student Kaitlin Forbes-and the tragic death of her best friend, Maggie O'Malley. It also includes information on model programs, state AED laws and funding sources.
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Mural Unveiled at Citrus Elementary |
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In February, which marks Heart Month, this beautiful mural was painted and unveiled at Citrus Elementary School by:
Scott Weidl - 5th grade teacher
Michael Renna - 5th grade teacher
Susan Daugherty - Physical Education Teacher
Wendy Martinez - Art Teacher
Trish Forges - Parent
Jane Wrobel - Parent
Art Club members--Shyann Anderson, Cindy Zhang, Yazivette Troche, Karla Reyes and Kazandra Cajina.
"In Loving Memory of Sean Alexander Anderson"
The dove in the tree represents Sean looking down after all of us here on earth. And when we feel a little down he is there to sing us a song, to remind us of how precious life is, and that he is in perfect happiness in Heaven. He is "on" a tree with swirling lines. The swirling lines represent the many different paths we will take in life and how fortunate we are to have Sean "on" our side as our guardian Angel. The two figures at the bottom represent Martha and Andy holding up this organization, Saving Young Hearts, which they started with much love. This love and dedication will affect so many lives. They do this to honor their precious son and the world will benefit, because Martha and Andy have been such positive advocates for this cause. The three flowers on the left represent Sean, Martha and Andy--and the love that they shared as a family. The flower in the center of the two figures represent Sean--a product of the love Martha and Andy share for one another. Hearts are found throughout the mural to represent the love we all shared for Sean. The colors are meant to be bold, and bright to signify the hope of a bright new day. And then the orange trees and bees are meant to symbolize Citrus--the school where we were first blessed to have met precious Sean. |
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Emergency Action Plan at Athletic Events |
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A recent study by the Sports Medicine Clinic in Seattle, WA and published in Sports Health confirms that including automated  external defibrillators (AEDs) as part of the emergency action plan (EAP) at an athletic event can mean the difference between life and death for an athlete or spectator experiencing sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).
The study reports that access to AEDs and early defibrillation achieves 41 to 74 percent survival rates, if CPR and defibrillation takes place within 3 to 5 minutes of a cardiac arrest. EAPs must include trained first responders, efficient communication systems, accessible emergency equipment, such as AEDs and annual reviews. |
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Help Us Help You... |
- Facilitate a presentation by SYH for your school, business, church, neighborhood group, civic organization or club.
- Ask community organizations and/or businesses to sponsor AEDs for schools and other public facilities.
- Check with your school or recreation league to see if they have a Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) program.
- Make a tax-deductible donation to SYH online or by mail.
- Become a certified AED/CPR trainer and volunteer your time and skills to train others in the community.
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Our Mission |
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Advocate for education and awareness programs about sudden cardiac arrest in children and young adults.
Properly place automated external defibrillators in Florida schools and other places where youth regularly congregate.
Encourage and facilitate CPR/AED education. |
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Donate Today
& Help Save Lives |
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Your donation will help fulfill our most immediate goals:
- To equip schools with automated external defibrillators.
- Provide affordable or free youth heart screenings for early detection.
Click Here to Donate Online or mail donation
to:
Saving Young Hearts, Inc.
2438 Alclobe Circle
Ocoee, FL 34761 |
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Thank You for Your Support & Generosity |
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CARL & PATTY ANDERSON
PAM RYAN PREMIER JEWELRY
WEST ORLANDO PEDIATRICS, P.A.
THE WILSEN FAMILY |
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Legislation Update |
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In Florida, Senator Lee Constantine [R - District 22] introduced bill S0592 Automated External Defibrillators/Public Schools, which would have required public schools to have an automated external defibrillator on school grounds and encouraged public and private partnerships to assist with the cost of the defibrillators. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration after it died in Committee of Education Pre-K-12. Click here to view bill text
At the national level, H.R. 4926 - Josh Miller Helping Everyone Access Responsive Treatment in Schools Act of 2008 or the Josh Miller HEARTS Act would establish a grant program to assist with funding for placement of automated external defibrillators in elementary and secondary schools.
Introduced: December 18, 2007 Status: Voted on by House on June 9, 2008 Next step: Vote by Senate Latest action: Received in the Senate, read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Sponsor: Rep. Betty Sutton [D-Ohio]. Click here to view the bill text. |
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Martha's Pick |
Each quarter SYH will feature Martha's pick of local and/or national articles that you will want to read. Beyond the Stethoscope
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Events |
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In March, SYH participated in Ocoee's 4th Annual Spring Fling--a day filled with activities, games and live demonstrations---all aimed at reinforcing safe behavior by our youth and families. Thank you to all who visited our booth!
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