Local Baseball League Receives AED Donation from Allegheny Health Network’s Cardiovascular Institute

Butler, Pa. -- The Butler Youth Baseball Association (BYBA) received a significant boost to its safety measures on Tuesday, October 15th, thanks to a generous donation from the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cardiovascular Institute. AHN staff members Suzetta Williams, Tiffanie Wojno, CRNP, and Erin Culbertson presented the BYBA board with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), complete with a protective storage box donated by CPR Simplicity, LLC.

The presentation, attended by several BYBA children and their parents, was met with immense gratitude. One mother voiced the collective sentiment, expressing relief that the league now possesses this crucial piece of lifesaving equipment. She explained that fundraising efforts had fallen short of the AED's cost, making the AHN donation particularly impactful. "It makes my heart happy knowing this resource is available to protect my children," she shared.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests remain a significant cause of death, with over 350,000 cases occurring annually in the US, resulting in a survival rate of 8 – 10%. The chance of survival significantly increases to 50%-74% when immediate defibrillation with an on-site AED is available. With the rapid response an on-site AED provides, the chances of survival significantly improve.

The children, eager to express their thanks, created a heartfelt thank-you poster and happily posed for photos with the board members and AHN representatives. The new AED will be strategically placed at one of the BYBA fields, ensuring rapid response in the event of a cardiac emergency. This donation underscores the importance of community partnerships in enhancing safety and well-being, particularly for youth sports organizations.

The AHN Cardiovascular Institute's commitment to preventive care extends beyond hospital walls, demonstrating a proactive approach to protecting the health of Butler's young athletes.

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