Open mike program highlights “Start The Heart” initiative

Lombard Village President William Mueller will feature Lombard's participation in the DuPage County Health Department's “Start The Heart” initiative in his latest edition of “Open Mike,” Mueller's local public access program.

“Start The Heart” has two primary goals: to increase the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) throughout DuPage County and to increase the number of individuals trained in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

“Lombard is excited about being the launch community in DuPage County for the ‘Start The Heart' campaign,” said Mueller. “This initiative will save lives in Lombard, and throughout DuPage County, and nothing is more important.”

Statistics show that Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in DuPage County. However, by using AEDs and CPR within the first seconds of a SCA attack, that number can be dramatically reduced.

“Start The Heart” is a community based, volunteer led program. Anyone interested in serving on the Lombard “Start The Heart” community steering committee may contact Lombard program manager Lt. Paul Dirienzo, Lombard Fire Department, at (630) 620-5736 or John Miller, Coordinator for the DuPage County Health Department, at (630) 682-7979, ext. 7123.

“Open Mike” can be seen in Lombard on Comcast Channel 6 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99. The program schedule is available on the Village of Lombard website, www.villageoflombard.org.