We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that is run by volunteers. The idea behind our foundation stems from two separate experiences involving three nurses that currently work at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital: Lauren Bradigan, Tabitha Bowser, and Laura Overly. In both cases, BLS was successfully performed and kept the individuals alive until EMS arrived to transport the individuals to the hospital. On New Years Eve of 2022, while Victoria (Vicki) Williams was shopping at Target with her baby, she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at only 32 years old. Alexi Krajnikovich, a Butler Hospital nurse, and Lauren Bradigan, (also a Butler County Community College nursing instructor), performed high quality CPR on Vicki until EMS arrived with their defibrillator and shocked her heart back into a normal rhythm. Vicki was transported to Butler Hospital, where she received a pacemaker/defibrillator. On July 16th, 2023, Tabitha Bowser and Laura Overly found themselves in a similar situation, having to perform CPR outside the walls of a hospital. While running the Presque Isle half marathon, Greg Woodman suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed. Greg was kept alive for 6 minutes due to the chest compressions that were administered by Tabitha and Laura, along with the other runners that stopped to help him. Greg was transported to UPMC Hamot, where he received 2 cardiac stents prior to his discharge home. Neither individual suffered from neurological deficits because of the care that was provided to them prior to EMS arrival. Our goal is to raise funds to pay for CPR and AED training for members of the community that are interested in learning CPR. Studies have shown that initiation of immediate CPR on a witnessed cardiac arrest victim greatly increases the patient’s chance of survival. As you know, Armstrong County is comprised of multiple rural areas, which is why it is imperative that lay people are trained in CPR. We need to bridge the gap between the time of a cardiac arrest and the arrival of Emergency Medical Services.
