American Red Cross Greater New York Regional CEO Josh Lockwood joined Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. on July 31 to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Variety Boys & Girls Club in Long Island City and the JVL Dimotsis-Vallone Senior Center. The AEDs were purchased through funding provided by Vallone.

“Sudden cardiac arrest accounts for 325,000 deaths each year in the United States,” Lockwood said. “Each minute that defibrillation is delayed reduces the chance of survival by about 10 percent. The prompt, effective administration of CPR with an AED can mean the difference between life and death.”

The organizations receiving the AEDs were selected by Vallone who is also chair of the City Council Committee on Public Safety and a strong proponent of increasing AED availability throughout the city.

“Every second counts in emergency situations, and the immediate use of defibrillators can go a long way towards saving a life,” Vallone said. “It is vital that defibrillators are always close by anywhere in the city.”