| Submitted by Ed Messenger
Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center, Inc. (MHHCC) hopes to train at least 500 citizens of Calhoun and surrounding counties on what to do when a person has a heart attack. The training program was greatly enhanced when the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation and Wharton Cadillac of Parkersburg, WV presented a Resusci Anne training unit to MHHCC on October 6, 2004.
In presenting the CPR unit, which is essential for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, Daniel Wharton of Wharton Cadillac stated, "If the right kind of treatment can be given to a heart attack victim within seconds after he or she is stricken, the chances are good that the life can be saved." CPR training teaches a person how to keep the heart beating while professional help is coming.
Mr. Ellis said that since the massive involvement of Americans training in CPR, there has been an increase in long-term survivors from ventricular fibrillation. There are many cases where the training is given to citizens showing that many heart attack victims who otherwise die have been saved and returned to normal activities. The training takes from three to five hours of intensive practice and lectures.
L to R: Bill Ellis and Daniel Wharton
Daniel B. Wharton, Board member of the National Automobile Dealers Association, presented a Little Anne AED training unit on behalf of the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation to Bill Ellis, Director of Emergency Services of Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center. The Charitable Foundation provides up to twelve CPR training units throughout West Virginia annually.
In accepting the CPS training unit, Mr. Ellis said MHHCC had set a goal to train at least 500 persons in 2005. The CPR unit gives signals telling when the trainee is applying the right pressure in the right spot or breathing correctly into the victim's mouth. With the training, the students learn the "feel" of giving quick lifesaving emergency treatment.
The National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation is part of the National Automobile Dealers Association with headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Its membership includes over 19,000 franchised new car and truck dealers in the U.S.
MHHCC is honored to receive this donation and is looking forward to utilizing the Little Anne training unit to reach their goal of 500 individuals trained in life-saving CPR. If you or your organization would like more information in setting up or attending a CPR training, please contact Bill Ellis at 354-9244, ext 167. Remember, you don't have to be a Healthcare Professional to save a life!
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