Over 50 CPR training kits provided to underserved communities

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — St. Joseph’s Health and the American Heart Association are helping underserved communities learn how to save lives for CPR and AED Awareness Week.

A total of 80 hands-only CPR Anytime Training Kits are being given to patients for free at St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center West, right next to Brady Market on Wednesday.

“Giving these kits away is such a great thing because then they learn, they can teach maybe their neighbors, their family members,” said Lynne Ponto, RN coordinator at St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center West.

It’s a life-saving technique many don’t know how to do. This includes patient Elisa Morales.

“I am having issues with you know some challenges with heart disease and it runs in my family. So this is just a blessing to be able to have this education and this kit,” said Morales.

A majority of the patients don’t have access to transportation and aren’t able to travel where CPR classes are offered.

But St. Joe’s and the American Heart Association are now making it possible for families to learn at home.

“The kits include a mannequin, a DVD, and instructions. So that DVD will take you through everything that you need to learn and that manikin will give you a hands-on experience to really learn how to do it,” said Kristy Smorol, communications director for the American Heart Association.

The life-saving training is only 30 minutes long and provided in both English and Spanish languages.

“The more community members that know CPR, the more lives we can save,” said Ponto.

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