Local News
Cross County Booster Club Purchases AED
By Jocey Boruch
Aug 17, 2010 - 4:08 PM

On behalf of Cross County Community School, Superintendent Brent Hollinger, was recently presented with an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), purchased with funds raised by the Cross County Booster Club.
Michelle Roesener and Barb Fowler, Co-Presidents of the Cross County Booster Club, spearheaded the fund drive for an AED after Michelle's nephew, Cale Buhr of Doniphan-Trumbull, collapsed on the track last spring and went into a death arrhythmia. After he collapsed, he was shocked with an AED which ended up saving his life.
"Thanks to quick action by trained individuals, Cale is alive today to tell about his near-death experience," Michelle said. "If they wouldn't have had an AED on site, Cale wouldn't have made it."
An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventribular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.
AEDs are designed to be simple to use for the layman, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, first responder and basic life support level CPR classes.
According to Hollinger, six personnel at the school were trained in both AED and CPR last week, and there are four EMTs who are employed at the school who are already trained in both areas.
The defibrillator will be kept in a mounted case in the commons area of the school. The defibrillator will be taken outside to the fields for all softball and football games and track meets for immediate emergency use if needed.
"The defibrillator we purchased is compatible with the one on the Stromsburg ambulance," Barb Fowler commented. "They can hook their unit up to the pads already on a patient in order to cut down on preparation time for transport."
"The Booster Club does a great job supporting the needs of the school," Hollinger commented. "We appreciate their support, and Michelle and Barb really sped up the process to help us get an AED on site prior to the fall sports season."
The Boosters would like to raise enough funds to purchase a second AED for the school, so one can be located near the elementary/playground area and one can be designated for athletic use.
A new AED costs around $1700, and proceeds from the Booster Club Golf Tournament on August 28th will help get the fund drive off to a good start.  
A hot dog fundraiser, sponsored by the Cross County Booster Club, will be held this Friday evening, August 20th from 5:00-6:00 p.m. prior to the football scrimmage. Donations toward a second AED are welcome.
"We've raised enough money for one AED and we're planning to purchase a second one soon," Barb said. "And hopefully, we'll never have to use either one of them."
The Booster Club appreciates the help of parents, grandparents and the community in support of the Cross County students.  
To make a donation towards a second AED for Cross County Community School, contact Barb at 764-0225 or Michelle at (402) 366-1171.

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