Floyd County: American Heart Association provides infant CPR kits for expectant parents and caregivers thanks to donation

American Heart Association provides infant CPR kits for expectant parents and caregivers thanks to donation

Donation made to Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg aims to reduce infant mortality rates in Kentucky

PRESTONSBURG, Ky., July 18, 2025 – Bringing a newborn home from the hospital can be overwhelming. To help parents and caregivers feel more prepared, the American Heart Association, the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, aims to train more people in infant CPR.
Thanks to funding from the Commonwealth Credit Union and FinnFest, the American Heart Association provided 30 Infant CPR Anytime Training Kits to Highlands Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) Regional Medical Center in Prestonsburg to share with expectant parents and caregivers throughout the year.

"Parents and caregivers are often first responders during infant cardiac or respiratory events, so it's imperative that we have tools like these to educate and empower families to respond to emergencies. We're so appreciative that the American Heart Association chose ARH for this donation. Together, we're saving lives in Appalachia, " says Danielle Harmon, community development director at ARH.

The American Heart Association and ARH work together on a variety of initiatives including community education campaigns, health fairs and screening programs to address heart health disparities and increase public awareness.
“Learning Infant CPR is a great way for parents to leave the hospital prepared for what to do in the event of an emergency with their child. We are proud to support the work of Appalachian Regional Healthcare through this donation of infant CPR kits. It would not be possible without FinnFest and Commonwealth Credit Union,” says Andrea Ooten, executive director of the American Heart Association of Central and Eastern Kentucky.

FinnFest is a non-profit organization that raises funds to benefit congenital heart defect (CHD) research. Inspired by their son, Finn, who had several congenital heart defects and passed in 2019, John and Tricia Collier are dedicated to contributing to CHD research and helping change the path for other children born with CHDs.

Karen Harbin, CEO of Commonwealth Credit Union says, “walking alongside Finn and the Collier family in Heart Walks and community events created a bond that deeply moved our credit union family. While his passing was a heartbreaking loss, Finn’s spirit continues to inspire us. This gift to FinnFest, directed toward infant CPR kits at Appalachian Regional Hospital, honors his legacy and equips new parents with life-saving skills. By joining forces with the American Heart Association and ARH, we’re working to improve the health and well-being of communities across Eastern Kentucky—because we believe Health is the first step to Wealth.”

CPR for infants works differently than CPR for children, teens and adults. Learning the proper method is important so caregivers can safely administer CPR to their baby should an emergency arise.

The Infant CPR Anytime Training Kit was developed by the American Heart Association in coordination with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Each portable kit includes a skills practice video, a reference card and an infant CPR manikin. The kit is designed to teach life-saving skills for infant CPR and infant choking relief in about 20 minutes.

To find an infant CPR training course near you, visit www.heart.org/findacourse. To learn more about the American Heart Association in Kentucky, visit www.heart.org/kentucky.
 
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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, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.?? ???
 
About FinnFest
FinnFest is a concert that benefits congenital heart defect research. Inspired by their son, Finn who had several congenital heart defects and passed in 2019, the Colliers are dedicated to contributing to CHD research and helping change the path for other children born with CHDs.
 
About Commonwealth Credit Union
Commonwealth Credit Union, headquartered in Frankfort, Kentucky, was founded in 1951. It is a state-chartered credit union regulated by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Commonwealth Credit Union is the largest credit union in Kentucky, serving over 130,000 members across the nation. It has been recognized as one of the best credit unions by Newsweek and Forbes. It has also been named one of the Best Places to Work in Kentucky for seven consecutive years. 
 
About ARH
Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center is a 192-bed facility serving Floyd, Johnson, Martin and Magoffin counties in Kentucky. Established in 1972, the facility was acquired by Appalachian Regional Healthcare on Aug. 1, 2019, becoming the 13th hospital in the ARH system. The 192-bed acute care hospital offers a variety of services including behavioral health, heart and vascular care, labor and delivery, oncology, pulmonology, cardiology, orthopedics and sports medicine. Additionally, the hospital operates both an inpatient and two outpatient pharmacies. Highlands ARH Regional Medical Center is a Level IV Trauma Center and has received the Bronze Stroke Certificate as well as DNV certifications for Cancer Care and Chest Pain.
 
 
For Media Inquiries:
Meredith Adkins: 859-421-8400, Meredith.Adkins@heart.org
heart.org and stroke.org