When you donate to The Matthew Mangine Jr. Foundation this month during the MMJF Online Birthday Bash, you will help the foundation provide funds for life-saving equipment to school and club sports organizations in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas. These funds can be utilized by the programs to purchase life-saving equipment such as AEDs, cold tubs, and wet bulb thermometers, just to name a few.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far this month. To highlight the importance of your gift, we would like to share some information about AEDs and their role in making youth sports safer.

What are AEDs and why are they important?

AEDs — automated external defibrillators — are used to treat victims of sudden cardiac arrest. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “the combination of CPR and early defibrillation is effective in saving lives when used in the first few minutes following collapse from sudden cardiac arrest.”

How are AEDs used?

Mayo Clinic states that when an AED’s electrode pads are placed on a person, the device measures heart rhythm and determines whether a shock is needed; it can then deliver a shock with the push of a button if needed. CPR can then be administered if needed.

Where can people get certified to use AEDs?

The American Heart Association offers its Heartsaver® First Aid CPR AED Training course, which teaches first aid basics, different types of emergencies, illness and injury prevention, and CPR and AED use. Other places that may offer AED training or certification include nearby hospitals, fire departments, and community colleges.

According to research by Justin D. Rothmier, MD and Jonathan A. Drezner, MD, limited financial resources is the main obstacle to implementing AEDs, with the average cost of devices ranging as high as $2,000. This is why your contribution matters: by supporting MMJF, you will help schools and organizations be better prepared to respond to medical emergencies, and you will help expand Matthew’s legacy in our community and beyond.