News

Local organizations entered to win automatic external defibrillators during Heart Month

Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH) is pleased to present the funds to purchase two automatic external defibrillators to two Clatsop County organizations. The Lower Columbia Youth Soccer Association (LCYSA) and Northwest Senior and Disability Services (NSDS) won the Heart Month AED contest held in February by describing how having an AED would help their organization.

LCYSA provides sports opportunities for more than 500 youth throughout Clatsop County and the Lower Long Beach Peninsula. Costs are kept low so kids’ participation is not hindered.

“Having an AED on-site for events would be beneficial not just for our players but for those family and friends who come to watch the events,” says Monica Steele, LCYSA sponsorship coordinator. “Being a nonprofit that doesn’t have a large budget, that doesn’t leave a lot of excess funds for important purchases such as an AED. We appreciate this opportunity.”

NSDS is an intergovernmental agency serving vulnerable, low-income populations of elderly and those with physical disabilities. Knowing the people they serve have fragile health, Mark Acuña, quality assurance specialist, says having an AED in the building would give peace of mind and a safety net for emergencies.

“Were a senior or a disabled person to have a heart attack or heart rhythm problem, it would take several minutes for first responders to get to their side,” Acuña says. “I would like to pass on thanks to CMH for the generous donation and our excitement in receiving it!”

LCYSA and NSDS were chosen as the winners by the leadership of the WomenHeart group that meets every month to support women who have or are at-risk for heart disease. Ten entries were received in the contest.

Both organizations will receive checks for $1,300 to purchase their own AED units. This is the third year CMH has held the giveaway.