Mayo Clinic Ambulance and Mayo Clinic Health System have partnered to donate an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the Fairmont Opera House.
AEDs are used to assist people who have gone into sudden cardiac arrest. The medical devices can analyze a person’s heart rhythm and deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help re-establish the heart’s rhythm.
“We are happy to support the historic Fairmont Opera House with this vital medical equipment that can truly save lives,” says Marie Morris, M.D. medical director, Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont.
According to the American Red Cross, sudden cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death in the U.S., with more than 350,000 cases per year.
The AED was funded through a Hometown Health Grant. The Fairmont Opera House is a historical arts and entertainment center that hosts live performances throughout the year.
“The Fairmont Opera House (FOH) very much appreciates the opportunity to partner with Mayo on providing FOH with potentially life-saving defibrillator equipment,” says Michael Edman, chair of the Opera House Board of Directors. “While FOH hopes to never need to use it, we are grateful for the donation from Mayo, and I know it will give some of our patrons peace of mind once we are able to fill our seats again.”
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Photo caption:
From left: Mike Edman, chair of the Fairmont Opera House Board of Directors, John Clarey, ambulance service supervisor, and Dr. Marie Morris, medical director, Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont.