SCAA Launches First 13 Local Chapters

January 10, 2008 - The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association (SCAA), based in Washington, DC, launched its first 13 local chapter and affiliate organizations to build a network of local organizations to help carry out its mission of preventing sudden cardiac arrest.

The local chapters and affiliates will bring together sudden cardiac arrest survivors, patients, medical and emergency professionals and community leaders to carry out public education and advocacy programs and activities. Programs and projects will include broader deployment of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training, better public/patient awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, and improved screening and access to medical care for individuals who may be at risk.

The first set of local chapters and affiliates include:

-- Austin, Texas

-- Cape Cod and the Islands, Massachusetts

-- Iowa (statewide organization based in Des Moines)

-- Kansas City (Kansas and Missouri)

-- Long Island, New York

-- Lubbock, Texas

-- Minnesota (Minneapolis-St. Paul and Rochester)

-- Northwestern Minnesota

-- Queens, New York

-- South Florida

-- Southeastern Massachusetts

-- Southwestern Connecticut

-- Western Maine

“We have identified a committed group of local community leaders and volunteers who have enthusiastically responded to our plans for a national network of local chapters and affiliates,” said Chris Chiames, SCAA’s executive director. “While we work to expand our national presence and influence, we are going to rely on our local chapters and affiliates to make the real impact in their communities through education and advocacy.”

Chiames said that SCAA is in discussions with SCA survivors, emergency response professionals, doctors, nurses, hospital administrators and patients about forming the next group of chapters and affiliates, and he expects to have at least 25 local chapters and affiliates in place by this spring. ”

For more information: www.suddencardiacarrest.org