News Release: February 12, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley will hold its fifth annual “Save-A-Life Saturday” on March 8 at First Presbyterian Church in Allentown.
The event is a free community-wide education opportunity to learn the lifesaving skills of adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillation. The hands-on program is taught by certified Red Cross instructors and uses manikins and first-aid materials and equipment.
“This year’s event will incorporate Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training into the program,” said Steve Vetrano, senior director of programs and general services for the local Red Cross. “An AED is a portable device that delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore a heart’s normal rhythm on sudden cardiac arrest victims. Immediate use of an AED, in conjunction with CPR, could save up to 50,000 lives a year.
“If you ever thought of taking a course in CPR and AED for general knowledge but could not afford it or if you are uncomfortable in a formal classroom setting, this would be a great opportunity to learn these valuable skills,” said Vetrano.
The addition of AED training to the annual Save-A-Life Saturday program is part of the chapter’s efforts to increase the community’s awareness about the importance of knowing how to use an AED.
“The vision of the Red Cross is that all Americans will be within 4 minutes of an AED, and someone trained to use it in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest,” said Vetrano.
The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 3231 Tilghman Street, in Allentown. Participants must pre-register by either calling the Red Cross at (610) 865-4400, ext. 247, or sending an e-mail to blaszkowskip@usa.redcross.org. When pre-registering, participants must provide: first and last names, address, daytime and evening phone numbers and whether they wish to audit the course or be certified by passing a written test following the class. All registered participants will receive a confirmation letter in the mail.
Space is limited to 150 people. Light refreshments will be served.
“Save-A-Life Saturday” is sponsored by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. of Trexlertown.
For more information, call Red Cross at (610) 865-4400, ext. 247.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about your local Red Cross, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
