Jan. 31, 2014. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), the North Carolina Council of Churches, the American Red Cross and Rep. Becky Carney have selected Beech Valley Baptist Church as one of more than 200 places of worship across the state to participate in Strive to Revive.
The program aims to reduce deaths related to cardiovascular disease by providing automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training to places of worship across North Carolina.
“Our congregation is committed to protecting the health of our members, and Strive to Revive helps us take this commitment to the next level,” said Pastor Chad Cole. “With more than 70 people attending our church each week, we have the potential to save lives and make a real difference in our community.”
“With the area our church is located in, there will always be an extended response time for an ambulance. Having this AED and the proper training to go with it will mean those who need the help will get it immediately.”
Strive to REvive kicked off in Charlotte in 2010 by awarding 20 organizations with AEDs and CPR training. BCBSNC, the North Carolina Council of Churches, the American Red Cross and Rep. Becky Carney are committed to expanding the program statewide by distributing AEDs and providing CPR training to places of worship across North Carolina with the goal of reaching all 100 counties.
“Imagine how scary it would be to stand by and watch a loved one go into cardiac arrest because you didn’t know CPR,” said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. “We want North Carolinians to feel prepared to react in a situation like this. Strive to Revive gives our communities the tools and training they need to take action in case of a cardiac emergency.”
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., claiming up to 450,000 lives each year. Strive to Revive focuses on organizations that attract large populations of individuals affected by heart disease, cardiac arrest and other health risk factors including African Americans, Latinos, women and seniors.
About BCBSNC
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to more than 3.74 million members, including approximately 1 million served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For generations, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina was recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere Institute in 2012 and 2013. Blue Cross and Blue SHield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit BCBSNC online at bcbsnc.com.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org
About the North Carolina Council of Churches
Founded in 1935, the North Carolina Council of Churches is a statewide organization representing 18 Christian denominations and committed to the twin goals of ecumenism and social justice. More than 1.5 million North Carolinians are members of congregations under the Council’s umbrella. The Council’s faith-based health initiative, Partners in Health and Wholeness, is designed to promote health as a faith issue and to improve the health of clergy and congregants through increased physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco use prevention and cessation. To learn more about Partners in Health and Wholeness, please visit healthandwholeness.org. More information about the North Carolina Council of Churches is available at ncchurches.org.