Member News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2006
Lincoln Way East High School Teacher Saves Life With AED
While Meagan Casey, an instructor at Lincoln Way East High School in
Frankfort, was recently supervising a swimming class in the pool area
of the school, she, like everyone, was rather unaware that Kim
Liebendorfer’s life was in danger a few yards away. What surprised her
most, perhaps, was that a few frantic minutes later, Casey turned out
to be the one who was saving his life.
Fortunately, Meagan Casey took a CPR class offered by Silver Cross
Hospital that included instruction on operating an automated external
defibrillator (AED).
Casey took an advanced class covering adult/child/infant CPR,
rescue from choking on those unconscious or conscious, and automated
external defibrillators (AED’s). Additionally, Silver Cross offers
classes for people who may need lifesaving expertise on the job, or who
just might like the experience to help a friend or family member when
in need.
Kim Liebendorfer, a member of the Frankfort Park District
Volleyball League, was in the middle of the second game in Lincoln
Way’s gymnasium when he collapsed and his heart rhythm stopped. “I
remember feeling lightheaded and dizzy,” says Liebendorfer.
Two of the women playing volleyball started to begin CPR while
another woman hurried to find the defibrillator. Luckily, they found
Casey who knew where to find an AED. One shock later, Liebendorfer’s
heart had a rhythm again.
Casey says, “When I got there they had already started CPR, and I
was able to attach the AED and it worked very well. I had taken the
class about 2 weeks before this happened, so it was rather fresh in my
mind.”
Silver Cross teaches several levels of their lifesaving classes
every month and also offers to teach on location at companies and
organizations in the community. For more information, call (888)
660-HEAL (4325) or visit www.silvercross.org.
The fifty-year-old, who is recovering from heart surgery, is grateful to Casey and everyone who helped in saving his life.
“I’m just glad that it worked, and that I had the training,” says Casey, of her life-saving act.
Silver Cross Hospital, a not-for-profit healthcare provider in
Joliet, has been creating world-class health care experiences for the
southwest suburban communities for over a century. Silver Cross has
been recognized as one of our nation’s 100 Top Hospitals by Solucient
and as one of America’s Most Friendliest Hospitals by the American
Alliance of Healthcare Providers. Exceptional care. It’s not unusual.
It’s simply the way you should be treated. For more information visit
us online at www.silvercross.org or call (815) 740-1100.