Reading Hospital is pleased to announce the generous donation of two new AEDs that will become part of The Friends of Reading Hospital’s HeartSAFE Berks County AED Loan Program. The program provides community organizations with access to this lifesaving technology at no cost.
Although AEDs can be found in most businesses, schools, and public venues, many local gatherings are held without one nearby. This donation allows The Friends of Reading Hospital to continue keeping Berks County HeartSAFE, by improving the survivability of sudden cardiac victims living and working in the county.
The donation comes from two local organizations within Berks County: The Bone and Joint Care Center and MADJ Marketing.
“We are so grateful to the Bone and Joint Care Center and MADJ Marketing for this donation,” said Sharon Keating, President of the Friends of Reading Hospital. “Our program strives to make these lifesaving devices more accessible to our local community organizations. The addition of these new AEDs allows us to continue to support our commitment to a HeartSAFE Berks County.”
HeartSAFE Berks County's mission is to improve survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest victims who live and work in Berks County. Chances of survival for anyone in our community increase from 30 to 70 percent when citizens act by using an AED on a victim within three minutes from the onset of a cardiac arrest.
“As part of our commitment to supporting and serving our community, we are proud to be a part of this initiative,” said Stephen Longenecker, MD, Medical Director at Reading Hospital and practicing physician at the Bone and Joint Care Center. “Time is a crucial element when an individual goes into cardiac arrest, so we are happy to support The Friends of Reading Hospital by helping to make AEDs more readily available at community events.”
Kevin Bezler, President and CEO of MADJ Marketing also said, “As an organization based in Berks County, and someone who has seen the positive impact an AED can have during a lifesaving emergency, it is imperative to us that our neighboring community organizations have easy access to one of these devices for their events. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to team up with Bone & Joint Care Center and support The Friends of Reading Hospital on this incredibly important initiative.”
What is a HeartSAFE Community?
A HeartSAFE Community means that all citizens of Berks County know the Chain of Survival for a victim of sudden cardiac arrest in the community. This includes:
- Calling 911 immediately
- Performing CPR
- Using a defibrillator
- Advanced emergency medical care
Organizations can request an AED at no cost for events held within Berks County and if interested, should contact HeartSAFE Berks at 484-628-8434 or email: Heartsafe@towerhealth.org.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 50 Best Hospitals for three consecutive years. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.