AEDs placed in memory of 9-year-old John Wesley Foster

Gadsden Times, Gadsden, AL, Sun, 2009-07-05

An automated external defibrillator placed at Walnut Park Elementary gives peace of mind to Principal Kristin Woods.
"It's a wonderful safety precaution for our kids," she said.
The AED at Walnut Park is one of six placed at Gadsden schools this year through the John Wesley Foster Foundation, named for a 9-year-old boy who died in 2006 from sudden cardiac arrest.
The third annual John Wesley Foster Memorial Classic is Saturday at Silver Lakes Golf Course, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.
The first tournament was a tremendous success, John Wesley's mother, Heather Foster, said. More than $17,000 was raised the first year. Those funds were used to purchase and place automated external defibrillators in schools and at ball fields, recreational parks and other public places. The foundation also provides CPR and AED education and training and full cardiac screenings for young athletes, she said.
Automated external defibrillators have saved thousands of lives since their formal induction into the world outside of hospitals and ambulances.
Places ranging from apartment buildings to airports to shopping malls are investing in AEDs and keeping them on hand in the event they should need to be used to save a life, Heather Foster said. The foundation placed 12 AEDs last year, and that number continues to grow.
Units have been placed at the Gadsden Sports Complex, Southside High School, Glencoe High School's football field, Gadsden City High School, Coates Bend Volunteer Fire Department, Westbrook School, Etowah Community Center, Litchfield Middle School and Walnut Park, Floyd, Donahoo, Striplin, Adams, Thompson and Mitchell elementary schools. The first unit was placed at Eura Brown Elementary, where John Wesley attended school before his family moved to Panama City, Fla., two years before his death.
Michael and Heather Foster grew up in Gadsden, and the family was here for the Thanksgiving holiday when John Wesley died in November 2006.
He collapsed in the front yard at his grandparents' house while throwing a football with his father.
Michael Foster started CPR on his son, but an electrical shock is the only thing that would have saved him. His parents later learned he suffered sudden cardiac arrest from an undetected heart condition.
Students at many schools in the area have written thank you notes to the Fosters for the contributions of the AEDs, said Linda Bishop, nursing supervisor for the Gadsden City Schools.
"Without them and their dedication to this project, it would not be possible," Bishop said. "Their work has brought a lot of awareness."
That's the goal of Mike and Heather Foster, she said.
"Having an AED at your child's school is an invaluable insurance policy. Although no one may ever need the AED, it is there in case someone — regardless of age — enters into cardiac arrest," Heather Foster said.
An AED is easy to use, and anyone certified in CPR can use it, Bishop said, adding that CPR certification now includes AED certification. School principals and several others at each school are certified in CPR, she said.
"It's simple and walks you through, step by step," Bishop said. "We're very fortunate to have them in our schools."
Heather Foster said the foundation not only raises money for AEDs, but helps remember John Wesley Foster.
"Our mission statement is to spread the message of John Wesley, the spirit and passion he had and the impact he is still having by his incredible love of life and people," Heather Foster said. "We want to allow John Wesley to work through us to teach others how to give, volunteer and give back to our community and develop the natural gift of compassion."
Riverview Regional Medical Center is the major sponsor of the golf tournament this year.