Michele Mallet And The American Heart Association Host CPR Event Saturday, March 10
Michele Mallet. Courtesy photo
SANTA BARBARA — Each year, more than three hundred thousand people have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Not even a third receives CPR from a bystander and only ten percent survive. Local Montecito resident, and cardiac survivor, Michelle Mallet knows all too well how dismal this statistic is, and she is determined to do something about it for her own community. Mallet has teamed up with the American Heart Association and is hosting a CPR in the Community Event this Saturday, March 10th, from 9am-12pm, where everyone has the chance to come by and learn how to save a life with Hands-only CPR.
Hands-only CPR is a two-step technique – dial 9-1-1 and begin chest compressions – that focuses on the first few minutes following a cardiac arrest, since the lungs and blood contain only enough oxygen to keep vital organs healthy for that amount of time. While emergency responders are on their way to the scene, chest compressions using hands-only CPR will provide the ongoing blood flow needed to give the patient a much better chance of survival once responders arrive.
A survivor herself, Michele has made it her mission to educate as many people as possible about the risks of cardiac disease and the importance of knowing CPR. Last August, at the age of 43, Michele woke up at 4:30 in the morning and knew something was wrong. An avid runner, hiker, yoga enthusiast and overall healthy woman, Michele was the last person you’d expect to go into cardiac arrest. “The American Heart Association tells women to ‘know their numbers’ to understand their risk factors. My numbers were good. But I also know my body,” Michele shares. “And it’s so important to listen to your body and ask for help.”
Michele shared her story with an audience of more than 500 Santa Barbara County residents at the AHA’a annual Go Red For Women Luncheon on February 9th. And now, this Saturday, March 10th, she shares her mission with her community. The CPR in the Community event will take place in the parking lot of Mallet’s Montecito salon Belle De Jour at 1236 Coast Village Circle from 9am-12pm, weather permitting. Open to the public, there will be Health Fair Booths by AMR, Aligned Pilates, the Montecito Fire Department and more. Tasty food and Rethink Your Drink stations will be provided by Jeannine’s Bakery and Sol Wave Water. And, of course, ample opportunity will be available for everyone to learn Hands-only CPR from AMR and Safety Matters Certified Training.
About the American Heart Association: The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the American Stroke Association: The American Stroke Association is devoted to saving people from stroke — the No. 2 cause of death in the world and a leading cause of serious disability. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat stroke. The Dallas-based association officially launched in 1998 as a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit StrokeAssociation.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the Association’s science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.