Manzanita Elementary
School is the latest recipient of an AED, automated external defibrillator,
thanks to the generosity of the Stephen M. Gootter Foundation. In addition to installing this
lifesaving device in the school’s main office, the Gootter Foundation also
provided training to key staff, who will then teach the rest of the Manzanita
community how to use the machine.
The Gootter Foundation (www.gootter.org) was
established in memory of Steve, who died as a result of sudden cardiac
death. Motivated to create a
legacy and something positive in the wake of his death, Steve’s family
established the Gootter Foundation with the objective of educating the public
about the importance of cardiac health and CPR; supporting cardiac research;
and providing AED machines, and the necessary training, to qualified locations
around Tucson. To date, the
Gootter Foundation has donated 110 AEDs in our community.
Compression only CPR, pioneered here at the University of
Arizona, has proven to be effective and easy to do. Sudden cardiac death isn’t a disease limited to a certain
age, race or sex. And everyone can
be a lifesaver. It’s worth taking
a couple of minutes with your kids to watch Steve Kerr(rrrr!) show you how to
do it at http://bealifesavertucson.org/learn-cpr-steve-kerr
Be a lifesaver, and huge thanks to the Gootter Foundation.
