Liberty STEAM School receives donated CPR kits and staff training
March 11, 2025
American Heart Association supports emergency preparedness for students and staff
The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces a generous donation of CPR kits and a comprehensive Hands-Only CPR training session for students and staff at Liberty STEAM Charter School. This initiative, supported by TCM Construction, C. Simmons Construction, and Carolina Filters, aligns with the American Heart Association’s mission to create a Nation of Lifesavers, ensuring that more people are equipped with CPR skills and the knowledge to save lives during critical emergencies, particularly in schools where youth, staff, and visitors are often at risk.
Through this collaboration, Liberty STEAM School joins a larger movement to promote healthier lifestyles and improve community preparedness for cardiac emergencies. The donation includes CPR kits with manikins, instructional materials, and AED training, allowing participants to practice and refine their life-saving skills. More than 730 students at Liberty STEAM Charter School will have access to the Hands-Only CPR training.
Dr. Trevor T. Ivey, executive director of Liberty STEAM Charter School, expressed his gratitude for the donation, “the investment from TCM Construction, C. Simmons Construction, and Carolina Filters in providing each Liberty campus with a CPR training kit aligns with our school mission to teach the whole child and provides us with new resources to teach what we believe is an important life skill to all 731 of our scholars. Thank you to all who played a role in making this happen.”
According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually, and nearly 90% of them are fatal. The Association also states that children as young as 9 years old can learn Hands-Only CPR. “CPR is a crucial skill that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency,” said Alfonso Franco, community impact director, American Heart Association.
Also, the American Heart Association is advocating for the Smart Heart Act in the South Carolina legislature. This important legislation aims to require schools to have cardiac emergency response plans (CERPs). A recent life-saving example in Florence, S.C., highlights the importance of this initiative — an 11-year-old student’s life was saved by a school nurse who performed CPR after the child collapsed at school. Stories like this underscores the critical need for CPR training in schools. ” By requiring CERPs, we can better protect our youth athletes by ensuring that coaches, staff, and first responders are prepared to act swiftly and effectively in the event of a cardiac emergency. This critical legislation will save lives and provide peace of mind to families across the state, said Andrew Wylam, government relations director, American Heart Association.
“It warms my heart to know that our scholars will be able to recognize an individual’s need for CPR and provide assistance,” said Chelsea Gamble, school nurse. “Thank you for making the impossible possible.”
“We are so grateful to the American Heart Association for providing our scholars with Hands-Only CPR training,” said Cammy Chandler, Liberty STEAM Charter School board member. “At Liberty, we value all learning, and our scholars now know how to provide life-saving CPR to a family member in cardiac arrest. We appreciate that you’re never too young to save a life.”
To learn more about local events and programs from the American Heart Association, visit https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/south-carolina.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
