“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” is a famous quote from Helen Keller that describes the importance of people coming together to achieve a common goal.
On June 6, our community had the opportunity to see just how true this statement is when one deserving family and 29 non-profit organizations in Fairfield County were each gifted an automated external defibrillator (AED) during a special ceremony at Fairfield Medical Center’s River Valley Campus. It was a heartfelt moment that would not have been possible without the generosity and collaboration of three local entities that all share the same passion – to save lives from cardiac arrest.
Earlier this year, Fairfield Federal Savings & Loan, Friendly Bremen Banking Center and Park National Bank agreed to each purchase 10 Avive AEDs through Community Heart Watch with the intent of donating them to non-profits that did not have an AED or had an AED that was due to be replaced. Community Heart Watch is a collaboration of Fairfield Medical Center, first responders, educators and civic leaders that is dedicated to improving cardiac arrest survival rates in Fairfield, Hocking and Perry counties.
Unlike standard AEDS, Avive AEDs are portable, affordable and, most importantly, the only smart AED to be equipped with GPS, wi-fi, cellular and Bluetooth connectivity. This technology allows 911 dispatchers to send alerts to all Avive units that are located near the scene of the cardiac arrest so that someone can run the AED to the scene and improve the victim’s chance of survival. Currently, there are 800 AEDS placed throughout Fairfield County, 146 of which are Avives.
Andrew and Taylor Vaughn of New Lexington were among the recipients to receive an Avive AED on June 6. Andrew and his 7-year-old son, Ryder, both live with a genetic heart condition that can cause cardiac arrest. This is the second AED that has been donated to the Vaughn family by Community Heart Watch; the family’s old AED will be donated to the Junction City Fire Department.
“The Avive AED has given us more freedom for Ryder to live life like the vibrant boy he is,” Andrew said. “The Avive is small enough to fit inside Ryder’s backpack, so it’s always readily available to us – although hopefully we’ll never have to use it.”
Andrew knows how important it is to have an AED nearby – in 2013, he went into cardiac arrest while running laps at Lancaster City School’s Stanbery Campus. Andrew’s fellow classmates and teacher, who had recently received CPR training from Community Heart Watch, witnessed his collapse and immediately responded with the nearest AED, saving his life.
“The gracious donation of the Avive AED to Ryder has allowed us to not only always be ready to help Ryder, but we are now able to build upon our CPR certification and potentially help someone in our community – just as Community Heart Watch did for me,” Andrew said.
Teri Watson, chair of Community Heart Watch, said the Avive AED donation is just one example of how important it is for local entities to come together to support a heart-safe community. In 2022, several businesses and organizations, including the three banks that donated the Avive AEDs, came together to help fund the purchase of a mobile CPR unit for Community Heart Watch. The unit has since traveled throughout the region, allowing Community Heart Watch members to provide CPR training to more than 4,000 community members.
“We are so grateful for the collaboration of our community partners - including EMS, schools, healthcare providers, public health, civic leaders and individuals,” Watson said. “It truly takes a village to improve survival from cardiac arrest and by working together, we are making a difference and saving lives.”
Are you ready to be a part of Community Heart Watch’s lifesaving mission? There are numerous ways for local businesses, non-profits and individuals to support this important cause, including purchasing an Avive AED at a discounted rate through Community Heart Watch. To learn more, contact Teri Watson at 740-687-6929 or teri.watson@fmchealth.org, or visit fmchealth.org/community-heart-watch/
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