John Mack Foundation joining forces with UHS Foundation

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A local foundation that provides life saving devices to non-profit organizations is partnering with another foundation in an effort to continue saving lives.

The John Mack Foundation gifted an automated external defibrillator or AED to Christ Episcopal Church in Binghamton. It’s the first donation made since the John Mack Foundation became part of the UHS Foundation.

It was founded in 2007 in honor of John Mack, a 17-year-old Binghamton High School lacrosse player who died from a strike to the chest during a club game. The strike caused commotio cordis, the same condition that nearly killed Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin nearly two years ago.

Because there was no AED on site to revive Mack, his uncle Rob Mack started the foundation that has since donated over 200 AED’s and saved at least six lives.

Rob Mack says the devices that anyone can be trained to use have saved more than just athletes.

“Their mom and dad, or their grandparents or many people watching the game have been saved with these AEDs too. So, it’s not just for helping to save young people playing the game, it could be anybody at the game,” said Rob Mack.

While the main focus has been on athletic leagues in the Broome County area, any non-profit, like churches, that host significant gatherings can apply for a free AED.

The foundation used to raise the majority of its funding at an annual lacrosse tournament but that ended with the pandemic.

UHS Foundation Executive Director Cory Jacobs says the merger was a perfect fit.

“It’s such an important piece of support for our community that we said we’d be happy to partner with you. You’ve built an amazing foundation. John Mack Foundation has such name recognition across the community and doing really good work. So, we wanted to continue that for them,” said Jacobs.

Christ Church, across from the Lost Dog, is receiving its defibrillator as part of the establishment of an emergency response plan and corresponding team.

Click here to donate to the John Mack Fund or request an AED.

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