Peyton Walker Foundation To Donate AED to Delone Catholic Athletics

The Peyton Walker Foundation is once again prioritizing the hearts of students in Central Pennsylvania. The Foundation will donate 35 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to PIAA schools across the region, including Delone Catholic. Valued at nearly $75,000, the impact of this donation event is extraordinary! 

“Providing these incredible resources and potentially saving lives right here in our community is our #1 focus,” says Julie Walker, president of the Foundation.

“I know our schools are very grateful for the Peyton Walker Foundation’s work. We have over 125 schools in District III, every school should have at least one AED and many schools have multiple AEDs as a direct result of this partnership,” says Ron Kennedy, executive director, PIAA District III.

The new AED, valued at over $2,100, will equip Delone Catholic's outdoor athletic facilities, explains Director of Athletics Rev. John Rudolph. "We must do all we can to keep our athletes, coaches, and fans safe. This AED adds to our arsenal of safety equipment, especially during the fall and spring when our teams are spread across the campus. We are grateful to the Peyton Walker Foundation and have great respect for the work they do." 

The Foundation will also be offering CPR Demonstrations at the GIANT Center and will provide educational content during the halftime of each game for all 12 PIAA District III championship games.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is the #1 killer of student athletes and the leading cause of death on school campuses. 1:25 schools will experience a cardiac arrest emergency every year. When someone is in cardiac arrest, the shock delivered by an AED can help to restore a normal heart rhythm - and potentially save a life. This AED donation event aims to provide better access to AEDs where kids play or practice sports to help prevent the tragic death of a child.

The Peyton Walker Foundation was established after the unexpected and sudden loss of 19-year old Peyton to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Peyton was a graduate of Trinity High School, a PIAA D3 school. The Foundation’s trailblazing programs and services position it as a national leader in Sudden Cardiac Arrest awareness & improving survival rates. The Foundation provides AEDs, CPR training, and heart screenings for students and families across the state to prevent the tragic loss of a child.