Students in Newport News Public Schools have access to new CPR training kits to help them learn and practice the life-saving skill, thanks to a partnership between Newport News Shipbuilding and the American Heart Association.
Julia Jones, vice president of Quality at NNS, was on hand to help present the 13 donated kits at an Oct. 16 event with the American Heart Association and school division leaders.
“Today is World Restart a Heart Day, so what better day than this to donate these kits and to emphasize the importance of this life-critical skill of CPR,” said Jones, who also is the 2024 Hampton Roads Heart Walk chairperson.
Julia Jones, vice president of Quality at Newport News Shipbuilding, helped present CPR training kits that will be distributed to students at Newport News Public Schools. Photo by Ashley Cowan
The CPR kits will be distributed among Newport News middle and high schools. After the presentation, American Heart Association officials performed a hands-only CPR demonstration, with students from the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy at Warwick High School practicing at the same time.
“This will empower students to learn the life-saving skills of CPR in just one class period,” said MeShall Simmons, executive director of the American Heart Association Hampton Roads. “The training kit also teaches AED use and choking relief. Through this training, support and quick action in an emergency, we can double or triple a person’s chance of survival.”
According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year.
NNS is a sponsor of the Hampton Roads Heart Walk. The Peninsula walk is Saturday, Nov. 2, at Fort Monroe. The Southside walk is Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Visit the Heart Walk website on MyNNS or www.hamptonroadsheartwalk.org for more information and to register.
