Bellin Health Cardiology Associates-Marquette on Wednesday (Feb. 14) donated five Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and partnered with Northern Michigan University-Sports and Rec to provide training for the recipients. The donations and trainings took place at the PEIF Building at Northern Michigan University (NMU).
The recipient organizations were chosen from a pool of applicants complied by Bellin, the Marquette County Health Department and NMU Sports and Rec after the Packers and Bellin Health in early 2023 announced they would put $100,000 toward providing AEDs and training for 80 organizations in need throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan. Five U.P. organizations were chosen for the initial round of AED distribution and training, and Bellin committed to matching an additional five organizations. They are:
- Bay Cliff Health Camp
- Michigamme United Methodist Institute/Camp Michigamme
- Marquette County Sheriff – Search and Rescue
- Munising School District
- UP Children’s Museum
“We are so pleased to be able to provide AEDs to these wonderful community organizations, and we couldn’t think of a better day than Valentine’s Day during February Heart Month for this important distribution and training,” said Bellin Health Marquette Team Leader Hannah Holsworth. “You never know when a cardiac emergency will strike, and having on-site AEDs and staff who are trained to use them can literally save a life. We are so grateful to all the partners who have made this possible.”
The AED donations and training were spurred by the January 2023 on-field cardiac emergency experienced by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin. Click here for more information about the initial round of donations from the Packers and Bellin Health.