Program will donate 14 AEDs at local schools as a tribute to Lucy Nash
HeartSaver will be donating 14 Automated External Defibrillators to local schools as a tribute to Lucy Nash, a fourth grader at Cairo Elementary School who passed away in August after collapsing during recess.
The presentation will take place on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. in the South Tower (River Entrance) lobby of Deaconess Henderson Hospital, according to a release from the hospital.
The recipients of the AEDs are Henderson County High School, Central Academy, Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center, AB Chandler Elementary, Bend Gate Elementary, Cairo Elementary, East Heights Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Niagara Elementary, South Heights Elementary, Spottsville Elementary, North Middle School, South Middle School and Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School.
These life-saving devices can significantly improve the survival rates of individuals experiencing sudden cardiac arrest by providing immediate defibrillation. An AED is a portable device that sends an electric shock to the heart, restoring its normal rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest, a condition that can be fatal if not treated within minutes.
HeartSaver, a program of The Heart Hospital and Deaconess Foundation, was created to reduce sudden deaths by placing AEDs in schools, community centers and public spaces across the Tri-State area, said the release.
The all-volunteer organization has been making a life-saving impact for the past 10 years, and with this latest donation, HeartSaver will have placed nearly 900 AEDs, saving dozens of lives.
“It is our mission to ensure that every school is equipped with the tools necessary to save a life. By placing these AEDs, we are empowering schools and staff to act quickly in emergencies, giving victims of sudden cardiac arrest a fighting chance at survival,” said Kirsten Wagmeister, chairperson of the HeartSaver Committee. “Lucy’s tragic loss reminds us of the importance of this mission, and we hope to prevent future tragedies through the availability of AEDs.”
To donate to HeartSaver so that it can place additional AEDs throughout the region, please contact Penny Goshert at 812-842-3472.
Ky 136 bridge over Pond Creek opens
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet completed work on a new bridge over Pond Creek on KY 136 in Henderson Tuesday which has allowed the roadway to reopen for the first time since May, said a release from the KYTC.
The bridge, built in 1920 and located on a rural section of KY 136 about 10 miles west of Henderson (mile point 9.9), closed May 10 after an inspection, which included an underwater review of its flooded steel substructure by contract divers. The inspection found significant deterioration that required its immediate closure to protect the safety of motorists and farmers.
Closure of the bridge was unexpected. Since replacing the bridge was not on the KYTC’s radar, the structure was not included on the state road plan, which funds road and bridge construction and repairs through the beginning of 2026.
Instead of waiting, KYTC used an aluminum box culvert structure, which allowed the replacement to be expedited.
The Pond Creek bridge carries around 65 vehicles per day.
