Community Conversation helped build Nation of Lifesavers

KINGSTON, NY, Oct. 27, 2024 – Nearly 65% of Americans don’t feel they would know what to do if someone had a sudden cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, along with HealthAlliance Hospital WMCHealth, Project ADAM, Ulster County and Pointe of Praise changed that today.

On Sunday, October 27, from 12:30 – 2 p.m. at Pointe of Praise at 243 Hurley Ave., Kingston, a Community Conversation included Hands-Only CPR and AED training; information about making communities heart safe; a panel discussion with tips and information about living a heart-healthy life; and a healthy lunch.

Speakers at the event included Supriya Jain, M.D., pediatric cardiologist with WMCHealth; Alice Schoen, co-founder, Project ADAM; Dana Colasante, co-founder, Project ADAM; and Tim Mitzel, EMT, WMCHealth.

“At WMCHealth, we are dedicated to empowering our community with the knowledge and skills necessary to save lives,” said Supriya S. Jain, MD, pediatric cardiologist and director of pediatric cardiac MRI/Advanced cardiovascular imaging at WMCHealth’s Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital." The Community Conversation event is a vital initiative that brings together experts and community members to equip local residents with lifesaving skills such as Hands-Only CPR and discuss heart health. Additionally, WMCHealth’s Cardiovascular Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program in Kingston is a testament to the ongoing efforts to prevent heart disease and promote cardiovascular health in the local community by encouraging a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, exercise, blood pressure monitoring, avoidance of stress, among other strategies. By working together with the American Heart Association and other community partners, we can educate our communities on healthy living and build a Nation of Lifesavers to ensure more people are prepared to act in the event of a cardiac emergency.” 

“Losing someone to sudden cardiac arrest is tragic and devastating,” said Dana Colasante, co-founder of Project ADAM. “We were glad to share information about making communities safer, especially for our children, and educating people about Hands-Only CPR and AED use.”

“Having CPR performed doubles or triples the chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest, and it’s an important skill to learn,” said Alice Schone, co-founder, Project ADAM.

“I’m very grateful for all the organizations that came today to help us get a better understanding of what to do if someone has an attack and we need to save their lives,” said Pastor James Childs of Pointe of Praise Church. “To be able to do before people left the church was tremendous. People came together at church and now they know how to save a life.”  

Hands-Only CPR is easy to learn, and keeps oxygenated blood circulating while waiting for help to arrive. The American Heart Association is building a Nation of Lifesavers, with a goal of having one member of every home trained in Hands-Only CPR.

For information, visit heart.org/cpr.

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