Cardiology Associates Volunteers for Weston Reed Foundation Event

TUPELO, Miss. - Aug. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Tupelo MS - Volunteers from Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi will be an integral part of the Weston Reed Foundation’s Free Physicals for Youth. Volunteers will assist with everything from student registrations, recording heights and weights, performing EKGs, as well as overall general student flow through the process.

Area students in grade 6 or above are encouraged to take advantage of free physicals offered by the Weston Reed Foundation from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 2013, at the new Police Athletic League, 204 Douglas St. Parking is available behind the Police Athletic League building or next door at the Link Centre, 1800 W. Main Street.

No appointment is necessary however Students must be accompanied by their parents. The Weston Reed Foundation will also provide a free electrocardiogram (EKG). The EKG is optional, and students who elect to have one will receive a free Weston Reed Foundation T-shirt. If warranted, an echocardiogram will also be performed free of charge.

In May of 2013 the Weston Reed Foundation provided free EKGs to 919 student-athletes during North Mississippi Medical Center's sports physicals for 13 area high schools. Thanks to the foundation, the 142 of them who needed further evaluation also received a free echocardiogram, and 10 required follow-up with a heart specialist.

The Weston Reed foundation was established when eleven-year-old Weston Reed experienced sudden cardiac death on Aug. 16, 2007, while practicing soccer at Ballard Park. Although several physicians who were at the soccer field administered CPR within seconds, Reed could not be saved. Unfortunately, there was not immediate access to an AED, a device used to shock the heart back into rhythm. While an AED may not have saved his life, rapid access to these devices saves many lives yearly.

The first Weston Reed Cardiovascular Conference was held only three months after his death to raise public awareness of sudden cardiac death, to train area residents in CPR and the use of AEDs and to provide AEDs in public places throughout our community. Since its inception in 2007, the Weston Reed Foundation has placed more than 100 AEDs in Tupelo schools, Parks and Recreation sites, police and sheriff's department patrol cars, churches and other public venues.

Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi was responsible for opening north Mississippi’s first Cardiac Catheterization Lab in February 1981. Cardiology Associates currently employees 20 full time cardiology specialists. CANM strives to be recognized and accepted as the premier physician provider of comprehensive cardiovascular care in the southeastern United States and surrounding areas.

Donations to help provide training and AEDs are tax deductible and can be made to the Weston Reed Foundation and mailed to CREATE Foundation, P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS  38802.