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New AEDs at Manawa schools

Masons provide funding for defibrillators

By Holly Neumann


The Manawa School District has accepted a $3,200 donation to help pay for two new AED defibrillators.

The donation was on behalf of the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation and Manawa Lodge 82.

“This local need was brought to our attention and we decided to run with it,” said Fred Zaug, master of Manawa Lodge 82. “It is definitely a worthy cause.”

“It’s a necessity for our schools to have these,” said Tom Squires, member of Manawa Lodge 82. “There are many functions at our schools and we want to keep our community safe.”

According to School Nurse Terri Brooks, an AED is a portable electronic device that diagnoses the cardiac arrhythmia that can be life threatening.

“AEDs are important because they strengthen the chain of survival,” said Brooks. “Once the AED diagnoses that there is an issue, it sends an electric shock to stop the arrhythmia and basically restart the heart to get it back to its natural rhythm. In essence, an AED saves lives.”

Brooks noted that Project ADAM was the lead agency in the collaboration between the state and local Masonic Foundations and the school district.

“Project ADAM began in 1999 after Adam Lemel, a 17-year-old Whitefish Bay high school student collapsed and died while playing basketball,” said Brooks. “To honor his memory, Adam’s parents, Patty and Joe Lemel, collaborated with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and the Herma Heart Center to create this program.”

“Project ADAM is a national hospital-based community outreach program supporting implementation of written and practiced cardiac emergency response plans for sudden cardiac arrest in schools,” she said. “Over 100 lives have been saved.”

Brooks expressed appreciation to Alli Thompson, from Project ADAM, the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation and Masonic Lodge 82 for their donation.

“The Manawa School District’s former AED pads and equipment were soon to expire and the company ceased production on these models and equipment,” said Brooks. “Replacement costs of two AEDs were not planned in the school budget.”

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