Professional Quarterback Matt Leinart Teams Up With American Red Cross To Promote CPR/AED Awareness

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Conferences
Article Date: 12 Mar 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Arizona Cardinals Quarterback and American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet Member, Matt Leinart, hosted a press conference Monday, March 10, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. PST, calling for the nation's attention to the importance of knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED (automated external defibrillator.)

During the press conference, held at the Silver Screen Theater located at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, Leinart, along with members of the American Red Cross, gave a CPR/AED demonstration in order to illustrate how simple it is to perform CPR and use an AED. Nearly everyone is capable of learning to save a life.

"It's great to have this opportunity to educate the country on how important it is for all of us to know what to do in case of an emergency," said Leinart. "I have a very demanding schedule, yet I felt it was important for me to take the time to become trained and certified in CPR/AED in case my loved ones and others around me ever needed my help."

Each year approximately 325,000 Americans suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Tragically, more than 95 percent of sudden cardiac victims die before reaching the hospital. Every minute counts. Each minute defibrillation is delayed reduces a person's chance of survival by about 10 percent.

In his role as a 2008 Celebrity Cabinet member, Leinart will volunteer his time with the Red Cross helping to bring attention to the number of lives that can be saved each year if more people become trained and certified in CPR/AED and other lifesaving skills.

Larry Paul, American Red Cross Board of Governors member in attendance, stated "The National Celebrity Cabinet plays a tremendous role in giving visibility and credibility to the lifesaving work of the Red Cross. We are proud to call upon them as volunteers."

The press conference is an important prelude of events the Red Cross is planning in recognition of the first "National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week". During the first week of June, the Red Cross has set a goal to reach 250,000 people nationwide with lifesaving CPR and AED information and training.

The Red Cross recommends that at least one person in every household and office is trained in first aid and CPR/AED. Enrolling in a CPR/AED course provides the confidence to respond during an emergency situation with skills that can save a life.

For more information on CPR/AED and other safety training, contact your local Red Cross chapter or log on to http://www.redcross.org.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, collects and distributes nearly half of the nation's blood supply, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time, money and blood to perform its humanitarian mission.

American Red Cross