BURTON VIEW — Medstar, Michigan’s most integrated EMS and mobile healthcare provider, awarded the Burton Eagles an AED (Automated External Defibrillator), Feb. 28.

When someone’s heart suddenly stops beating, every minute counts. AEDs can significantly improve the outcomes of cardiac arrest patients. The Burton Eagles, 3317 E. Bristol Rd., have taken a big step to save others by requesting a grant to receive this device, said Kolby Miller, CEO of Medstar.

The donation was made possible by Medstar’s Shock and Save Initiative, in which Medstar matches community funds raised to provide AED placement in civic and community centers, schools, and churches.

“AED access for bystanders in the community is essential to save cardiac arrest patients. I applaud the Eagles for their initiative in seeking an AED for their facility,” Miller said. “We match community funds raised to provide AED placement throughout our service area. An AED at the Eagles Hall is a perfect example of how our efforts are intended. It speaks volumes that the Eagles care enough about their members and guests, and l encourage other organizations to take the same action to save more lives.”

 Since 2015, Medstar has donated AEDs to schools, churches, and other nonprofit and civic organizations and trained over 1,900 people in CPR and AED use free of charge.

• Only 10 percent of people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survive. However, their survival chances double if a bystander uses an AED.

• A recent study found that investing in AEDs was the most effective way to improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates.

• Michigan provides legal immunity to people who use AEDs or provide CPR to patients in cardiac arrest.

Details: Visit www.medstarambulance.org/aed/

Medstar is Michigan’s largest 911 EMS and mobile healthcare provider, serving more than 190,000 patients annually throughout lower Michigan.

Created in 1993 by two local hospitals committed to quality EMS, the nonprofit agency now serves communities in nine counties.

Medstar provides critical care, air medical, and interfacility clinical transportation for Ascension Michigan, Henry Ford Health, and the McLaren Healthcare Corporation.

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