Commentary; Posted: 12/24/02

A Christmas gift for the heart, Santa

Don Heinzman

Dear Santa Claus: Iím writing to tell you about communities in this Twin Cities Metropolitan Area who are giving their residents the gift of life. You see, Santa, more people are having cardiac arrests, which as you know is caused by a defect in the heartís electrical system making it unable to pump blood through the body. Santa, if the heart cannot be shocked within 10 minutes, the victim will die.

Speed is so important because for every minute lost, chances of the victim having a cardiac arrest drop 10 percent.

In fact, Santa, having an automated external defibrillator (AED) in your workshop would be a good thing for your elves. Itís the size of a laptop computer, and itís easy to use. The operator merely puts the flaps on the victimís chest, the AED assesses the victimís condition and orders a shock if one is needed.

Some community leaders are trying to give their residents the gift of life by making their communities more heart-safe. This means raising dollars and placing these portable defibrillators, first in police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and libraries, shopping centers, gated communities, health clubs, churches and auditoriums and arenas.

Santa, if you are interested in one for your huge workshop, I suggest you contact Michele Sundberg, project coordinator of the Heart Safe Community project of Allina Hospitals and Clinics at 952-934-1790. You can also call Beth Rabeneck, Health Initiatives Director for the American Heart Association at 952-278-3664.

Santa, some communities have been working hard to provide these defibrillators so their residents have access to them. When you fly over Apple Valley Christmas Eve, leave something special for the leaders of the police, fire and ambulance departments.

With help from the American Heart Association they conducted an information session for agencies and businesses. As a result AEDs are in three schools, Kohlís, Wal-Mart, Cub Foods and the American Legion Post and the senior center. Senior residents donated money for the defibrillators now at the Valley View Golf and Community Center.

Pay attention to the progress in Elk River, which is part of the Heart Safe Communities project. Steve Dittbenner in particular is making Elk River a model.

So far, Elk River has raised funds and purchased 12 defibrillators that have gone into seven schools, the city hall, library, the ice arena and two in the fire department. Santa, the department bought seven from fund-raisers, the Lions Club paid for two and two private parties paid for three. The First National Bank of Elk River and Great River Energy each plan to buy two more.

Santa, give a special nod Christmas Eve to the city of New Brighton where the public safety commission along with other volunteers raised $20,000 in five weeks and bought nine defibrillators ñseven for the public safety and fire department, one for the Family Service Center and one for the golf course. Now, the New Brighton and Mounds View Rotary Cub have taken on an awareness project to raise funds to put these defibrillators in schools and churches.

This idea of giving gift defibrillators to communities is spreading across the Metropolitan area. Chaska has purchased 10, the city of Columbia Heights is interested in placing them in the schools, Cambridge, Forest Lake, North Branch, Roseville schools and Wayzata are all showing interest in making their communities more heart safe.

Santa, wouldnít you agree that these communities have the Christmas spirit all year long?

Donít forget to order a defibrillator for your North Pole Workshop. Itís the best gift you can give some of your older elves and even you and Mrs. Claus.

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