Life Saving Equipment Purchased for Cherokee County Schools

Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative Announces Purchase of Automatic External Defibrillators
Four middle schools will soon be added to the list of Cherokee County Schools already equipped with an automatic external defibrillator (AED). AEDs are known as a life saving apparatus used in emergency situations of cardiac arrest. Andrews Middle, Murphy Middle, Ranger School and Martin’s Creek School are in line to receive these life saving devices as the result of funding from a partnership with the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative. Shonna Moore, Safe Schools Healthy Students Project Director stated, “Our program is honored to partner with the Cherokee County School District to ensure that students have a safer, more secure learning environment. The addition of these AEDs to the schools is just another step we are taking to make certain that students will receive the required medical attention necessary in case of an emergency. Future planning is underway to secure funding to purchase AEDs for the remaining six schools,” concluded Moore. Currently only Tri-County Early College, Mountain Youth School, Andrews Elementary, Murphy Elementary, Marble Elementary, and Peachtree Elementary do not have an AED.
Previously, four county schools had defibrillator access. MHS has had one for several years; more recently AHS received a device when Dr. Brian Mitchell and colleagues Dr. Terry Doan, Dr. Teresa Heavener, Dr. George Heilne, Dr. Jeff Martin, Dr. Matt Molsen and Dr. Zihyad Murghabil donated money to make the purchase. Hiwassee Dam also recently received a defibrillator as a gift from Murphy Medical Center and later another through an athletic association endowment fund. For more information about the AEDs, the Safe School Healthy Student Initiative or assisting remaining schools with an AED purchase, contact Shonna Moore at the Safe Schools Healthy Students office 828-835-3295.