MARQUETTE, MI— Five Marquette County organizations are getting automated external defibrillators, courtesy of the Green Bay Packers.
Last winter, the Packers and Bellin Health announced the team would give $100,000 toward the purchase of 80 AEDs for groups in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. The decision was made in the wake of the January cardiac emergency experienced by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin.
Bellin Health Cardiology Associates-Marquette worked with the Marquette County Health Department and NMU Rec Sports. They compiled a list of 30 local sports organizations, nonprofits, and police agencies and submitted applications on their behalf.
The randomly chosen organizations receiving AEDs include the Gwinn School District, Marquette County Youth Football, Marquette County Junior Golf Association, Marquette Mountain Ski Patrol (for use during the Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Race, Noquemanon Ski Marathon, Marquette Marathon and Marquette Trail 50 Ultra Marathon), and the Superiorland Soccer Association.
Bellin Health Cardiology Associates-Marquette has committed to providing five additional AEDs this summer while partnering with NMU Rec Sports to provide CPR/AED certifications. The end goal is to ensure that all 30 applicants receive an AED and training.
