Five randomly chosen local organizations will receive automated external defibrillators (AEDs) donated by the Green Bay Packers. This winter, the Packers and Bellin Health announced that the team would fund $100,000 toward providing 80 AEDs to eligible organizations in need throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The decision was made in the wake of the January cardiac emergency experienced by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin.
When the opportunity became available, Bellin Health Cardiology Associates-Marquette Team Leader Hannah Holsworth reached out to Marquette County Health Department Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Emilie Stack and NMU Rec Sports Campus Recreation Manager Katie Moe to compile a list of 30 local sports organizations, nonprofits and police agencies to submit applications on their behalf for consideration.
The organizations receiving AEDs include: Gwinn School District, Marquette County Youth Football, Marquette County Junior Golf Association, Marquette Mountain Ski Patrol (for use during the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Race, Noquemanon Ski Marathon, Marquette Marathon and Marquette Trail 50 Ultra Marathon), and the Superiorland Soccer Association. Representatives from each organization will travel to Green Bay-Tailgate Village on July 14 to receive an AED, AED wall mount, First Aid supplies and CPR/AED certification worth $2,000.
After assessing the need to provide AEDs to all local applicants, Bellin Health Cardiology Associates-Marquette has committed to providing five additional AEDs this summer while partnering with NMU Rec Sports to provide CPR/AED certifications, with the end goal of ensuring that all 30 applicants receive an AED and training over the course of the following years.
Organizations interested in learning more about AED resources can visit https://www.packers.com/community/aed-resources or contact Bellin Health Cardiology Associates-Marquette, the Marquette County Health Department or NMU Rec Sports.
Prepared by NMU Rec Sports. Media Contact: Katie Moe at 906-227-2421 or ktheut@nmu.edu.