Project ADAM

Providence is placing AEDs in high schools

Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital is installing automated external defibrillators (AED) and implementing the necessary training programs in local high schools, in response to a recent spike in adolescent deaths due to sudden cardiac arrest.

Sacred Heart is working closely with Project ADAM, a not-for-profit organization created by Patty and Joe Lemel in memory of their 17-year-old son Adam. Adam died suddenly of heart arrhythmia while playing basketball. Had a defibrillator been on hand, Adam may have been saved.

What is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?

Often misconceived as a Heart Attack, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is when the heart’s electrical system “shorts out” causing the unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness frequently resulting in death.

Having no clinical symptoms, it often strikes without warning. Victims including infants, young adults and athletes are usually unaware they are at risk. An estimated 350,000 children and adults in the U.S. fall victim to SCA each year.

Want to help?

Contact the Providence Health Care Foundation: 509-474-4917.

Learn more

Watch this video to learn more about the nationwide effort to place Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in high schools.