Towering Southern Illinois Dignitaries Take Pride

January 14, 2005

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Maryville, IL -Towering dignities from Southern Illinois took pride as Save A Life Foundation opened its office in Anderson Hospital's Emergency Department.  EMS Director Eric Brandmeyer, EMTP, will facilitate the training of local school children (K-12) in bleeding control, Heimlich maneuver, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), 9-1-1 and other life saving skills, and will recruit local emergency medical service providers to become SALF Instructors.

Edwardsville Mayor Gery Niebur first learned of SALF in 2002 and immediately called upon neighboring mayors and Anderson Hospital to embrace SALF for their children. Since 1997 State Senator Frank Watson has supported the funding for SALF's training of nearly 1 million school children statewide. Strengthening this support, Illinois Congressman John Shimkus stepped forth and co-sponsored federal funds that allowed SALF to cooperate with Anderson Hospital for the children of Southern Illinois.

Anderson Hospital Medical Director Christopher Cruz M.D., and President & CEO Keith A. Page commended Congressman Shimkus, Senator Watson and Mayor Gery Neibur for their joint commitment to prepare the children of Southern Illinois against life threatening situations they could face at school, play or home.  "Often the delay of prompt emergency care could mean the difference between life or death," stated Dr. Cruz.  "We are honored to have this partnership with SALF which could have only been possible with the joint cooperation by these three leaders," said President/CEO Keith Page.

Congressman John Shimkus has been well aware of emergency preparedness.  As a junior Congressman, he helped form a joint initiative for the inception of Enhance 911, also known as "E-911," which provides a callback number and the caller's location when 9-1-1 is activated. Now the Congressman spearheads the campaign to emergency prepare the schoolchildren of Illinois. "The training that SALF provides to children could one day save a life.  I am fully supportive of their efforts to teach youth the basics of first aid and I am pleased that a new office will be able to reach residents of southwest Illinois," stated Congressman John Shimkus

"Congressman Shimkus, Mayor Niebur, and Senator Watson's dedication to the well being of our children is inspiring. We have worked harmoniously to impact our children with a positive life saving message," state Carol Spizzirri. 

Edwardsville Mayor Gary Niebur welcomed the fusion between SALF and Anderson Hospital by stating, "I am extremely pleased with the partnership between Save A Life Foundation and Anderson Hospital.  The linking of these two organizations will be a tremendous asset to the people in this area, and having SALF programs readily available, especially to our schoolchildren, will be truly beneficial to our entire community."  Mayor Niebur, former President of the Illinois Municipal League now implores mayors to partner with SALF to make a life saving difference for their community.