Training day kicks-off new Save-A-Life Partnership

Hanover Park Examiner, May 19, 2004

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More than 150 students at Spring Wood Middle School in Hanover Park were trained in CPR and other life saving techniques on Monday, May 10, as part of a special kick-off training day announcing a new partnership between the Save A Life foundation and the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network.

The Save A Life Foundation was formed in 1993 by Carol Spizzirri after her 18 year-old daughter, Christina, bled to death on the scene of a hit and run accident while waiting for emergency medical service personnel to arrive and administer first aid.

Christina died despite the fact that there were several police officers and firefighters at the scene immediately following the accident, unfortunately none of them were trained in CPR.

Carol Spizzirri formed the Save A Life Foundation, with the single goal to train as many people as possible to assist the injured or ill in a time of emergency.

"We want to train approximately 50,000 in life saving techniques across the northwest suburbs free of charge over the next five years," according to Hanover Park Village President Irwin Bock, who has been named executive director of the Alexian partnership with Save A Life Foundation.

"Through the new Alexian partnership with Save A Life Foundation our plan is to hire 25 instructors from the various fire departments in the communities that Alexian serves," Bock said.

Joining Bock and Spizzirri, on Monday were representatives of the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, and emergency medical personnel from around Chicagoland.

(Photo appeared with article depicted Kelly Clancy receiving a check from Carol Spizzirri, caption follows)

Save A Life Foundation founder Carol Spizzirri presents a check from a local contributor to Kelly Clancy, Director of External Affairs for the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network. Spizzirri spoke to a group of emergency medical personnel and students at Spring Wood Middle School in Hanover Park about a the new partnership with Alexian.