Arming West Tennessee students to be heroes!

In 2012 the state of Tennessee passed an unfunded mandate requiring all state schools to teach CPR to student’s before graduating High-School.  
On Monday, Aug. 19, students at Chester County High School received much needed educational equipment from Cypress Insurance Agency and the American Heart Association as a result of the association’s CPR In Schools Program.  A CPR In School Kit was gifted so that Chester County High School graduating students can take that next step into the world knowing how to save lives.
“Each day, about 2,150 Americans die from heart disease from cardiovascular disease- the No. 1 killer in the United States. Stroke, the No. 5 killer and a leading cause of severe disability, claims the lives of nearly 219,000 each year. Cypress Insurance believes in arming our community and next generation on how to perform CPR and at minimum Hands Only CPR,” says Tim Carpenter, Owner of Cypress Insurance in West Tennessee.
The American Heart Association is the leading funder of cardiovascular disease and stroke research in the world outside of the federal government.  Christy Futrell, West TN director for AHA says, “AHA translates the research findings into new equipment our doctors use, medications we pick up at the pharmacy, treatment and guidelines for cardiovascular disease and stroke patients that our hospitals follow… truly taking what is learned from the bench (research bench) to the bedside (guidelines for how doctors approach CVD and stroke treatment).  AHA also sets the standard and guidelines to live healthier lives through advocacy, policy change and working to create an equal playing field for all Americans so the healthy choice is the easy, as well as the accessible choice. AHA is a part of our everyday life!”
Nationally, the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association have funded more than $3.4 billion in research since the first ever Heart Walk. But the work is far from done. As we near the $5 billion mark, the American Heart Association continues to fund big ideas that pioneer breakthroughs in our understanding and treatment of heart disease and stroke. And now the mission of the AHA has never been more important with 40 percent of COVID patients being cardiovascular disease and stroke patients.   The AHA is funding more than 16 million this year into COVID related research to study the affects on our patients and what can be done.
“We are honored to work with Tim Carpenter and Cypress Insurance, and grateful for community leaders like them who recognize the importance of promoting CPR Education within our schools,” says Christy Futrell.  
The Upcoming 2020 West TN Heart Walk and Red Dress Dash Digital Experience on Saturday, Sept. 12, is sponsored by Cypress Insurance as well as, West TN Healthcare Rehabilitation – a partnership with Encompass Health, Manpower, Robinson Toyota, Christian Family Medicine and Pediatrics, and many others.  Official media sponsors include Thomas Media and WBBJ. 
If you have any questions about becoming involved with the American Heart Assoc. lifesaving mission here in West Tennessee, or to register for the West TN Heart Walk and Red Dress Dash Digital Experience, visit westtnheartwalk.org or contact Christy.Futrell@heart.org.