Program, in Partnership with BHHS Legacy Foundation, Impacts 9,200+ Students and 700 Teachers in Avondale, Mesa and Tri-State Region
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (August 26, 2024) – Helping fill a critical need on school campuses across Arizona, Fiesta Bowl Charities unveiled its latest community initiative by creating an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Assistance Program presented by BHHS Legacy Foundation, which included certified training sessions and donated AED units for schools in Mesa, Avondale and Bullhead City.
As part of the Fiesta Bowl Charities AED Assistance Program presented by BHHS Legacy Foundation, more than 9,200 students and 700 teachers across 16 schools benefitted from the first year of the program.
“Fiesta Bowl Charities continually evaluates the need in Arizona communities and how best to address the gaps. Forming the AED Assistance Program with a like-minded partner in BHHS Legacy Foundation is extremely important because it has a life-saving reality,” said Kristina Chumpol, Fiesta Sports Foundation Chief of Staff and VP of Community Investment. “You never know when a cardiac arrest situation will arise, so preparing our schools with new equipment and giving school teachers and staff the knowledge of how to use it is making our schools safer.”
According to current regulations, AEDs are only required in state buildings and dental offices and there are no legislative requirements for CPR/AED training in Arizona. Given that the average Emergency Medical Services response time in Arizona is nine minutes and survival rates increase by 70% when a defibrillator is used within the first three minutes of collapse, the need for AEDs in schools is critical. At schools that have staff/teachers who have been properly trained to use an AED, the survival rate for children experiencing sudden cardiac arrest jumps to more than 85%. Sudden cardiac arrest strikes 7,000 children and teens annually and is the cause of 13% of young athlete deaths.
“BHHS Legacy Foundation (Phoenix and Tri-State Regions) is proud to participate with Fiesta Bowl Charities in the funding and implementation of the much-needed Automated External Defibrillator (AED) assistance program for selected area public schools. Having school staff members trained in CPR, plus making AEDs available in the schools, and encouraging schools to develop emergency response plans will make the schools better prepared to respond to any future sudden cardiac event, which will assist in saving lives,” said Gerald Wissink, BHHS Legacy Foundation CEO.
Fremont Junior High School in Mesa, the Avondale Elementary District and five schools in the Tri-State region were selected for inclusion in the inaugural year of the program following surveys conducted by Fiesta Bowl Charities to identify needs in Arizona public and charter schools. More than 40% of schools surveyed shared that an AED was not found on campus due to cost and another 34% responded that they did not have trained staff for AED use.
As a result, the AED Assistance Program consisted of two parts, starting with training teachers and staff in conjunction with American Red Cross. A total of 101 teachers and staff from Fremont Junior High School, the 10 schools in the Avondale Elementary District and five Tri-State schools were trained in AED, CPR and First Aid. Of the 101 staff, 48 were trained as certified instructors, giving them the tools to train more than 500 of their colleagues at their respective schools.
To cap the program, the Fiesta Sports Foundation and BHHS Legacy Foundation celebrated with the newly-trained teachers and staff and gifted 23 AED units across the 16 schools.
“Mohave Accelerated Schools appreciates our partnership with American Red Cross, BHHS Legacy Foundation and Fiesta Bowl Charities,” said Jeremy Klingensmith, Mohave Accelerated Schools Administrator and Athletic Director. “The addition of two new AED devices as well as the CPR/First Aid training that was provided is invaluable. Our students and athletes are much safer. Our staff is much safer. Everyone in our community benefits from the knowledge, training and equipment provided to us and other local schools.”
If a school is interested in the Fiesta Bowl Charities AED Assistance Program presented by BHHS Legacy Foundation, please contact charities@fiestabowl.org.
ABOUT THE FIESTA BOWL ORGANIZATION
Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Bowl is a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision for the importance of community outreach and service. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Guaranteed Rate Bowl and its year-round events, such as the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the organization provides charitable giving to enhance Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaBowl.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on Twitter.
ABOUT BHHS LEGACY FOUNDATION
Since inception in 2000, BHHS Legacy Foundation has enhanced the quality of life and health in the Greater Phoenix and Tri-State regions, investing more than $150 million in health-related nonprofits in the communities we serve. Learn more at www.bhhslegacy.org.