American Heart Association, Clark Technologies and Amazon provide CPR kits to Louisa County schools ahead of statewide requirement

The American Heart Association and corporate partners Clark Technologies and Amazon announced they are equipping every Louisa County Public School with CPR-in-schools training kits.

"My name is Marjorie Churchborn. I'm very fortunate and blessed to have been the heart partner to Louisa County Schools with the American Heart Association for almost 13 years now," Marjorie Churchborn said, introducing the program and thanking the private partners. Churchborn said the kits are intended to help schools implement new cardiac emergency response plans that state officials plan to sign into law July 1.

Churchborn highlighted the public-health rationale for the investment. "Cardiac arrest is 1 of the leading causes of death in The US each year. More than 350000 people experiencing out of hospital cardiac arrest. And, sadly, 9 out of hospital cardiac arrest. And sadly, 9 out of 10 do not survive. But immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival," she said.

AHA staff member Whitney added the kits provide short, classroom-length training: "Each kit can train 10 to 12 students at a time in CBR, ADD use, and basic first aid all in 1 class period," and emphasized that students can learn compressions effectively by ages 10–12.

Sarah Brown Campolo, community engagement lead for Clark Technologies, said the company proposed the idea to Amazon and that both organizations wanted the kits to reach every school in the county. "Safety is very much in the ethos of our company," Campolo said, noting Clark sent safety personnel to the meeting.

Lisa Schooley, community engagement manager for Amazon data centers in Louisa, said the partnership reflects Amazon's local community work: "This is exactly the type of partnership we're looking to do in partnering with the community and giving back to the kids."

School board members thanked the presenters. The board did not take formal action on the donation during the meeting but expressed appreciation for the private support and the kits’ potential to help schools meet the coming statewide requirement.

The American Heart Association and its partners said the kits are intended both to teach students lifesaving skills and to help school staff and communities carry out cardiac emergency response plans once the state requirement takes effect.