HARTSVILLE, S.C. June 19, 2025 —The American Heart Association and McLeod Health, recently presented an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the Hartsville Northern League, providing the local youth sports organization with a potentially lifesaving tool in the event of a cardiac emergency.
The presentation took place recently at the League’s ballfield, with local first responders, families, and representatives from the American Heart Association, McLeod Health, and the Hartsville Northern League in attendance.
This donation is part of the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Also, the Association is working to improve health outcomes and create heart-safe spaces in communities across the country and launched Nation of Lifesavers™ to double sudden cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere — including young athletes — and the immediate use of an AED significantly increases the chance of survival.
“Every minute counts when sudden cardiac arrest strikes and having an AED nearby can mean the difference between life and death,” said Lizzie Tankersley, executive director, American Heart Association, Midlands and Pee Dee. “We’re proud to work with McLeod Health to help ensure that Hartsville Northern League is prepared to respond in an emergency and keep this community heart safe.”
“The Hartsville Northern League is a well-established league that has benefited and supported young athletes for generations,” said Amanda Butler, vice president, Heart & Vascular Services at McLeod Health. “The work they do is invaluable to the community. We want to help keep the players and their families safe while at the ballfields with the donation of an AED. I am so pleased that we could provide this AED to such a special organization as the Northern Hartsville League. The chance of a person being saved from cardiac arrest increases the sooner the electric shocks are delivered to the patient. An AED can be a tremendous lifesaving device.”
The Hartsville Northern League serves more than 500 athletes annually during its spring and fall seasons, playing a vital role in the lives of local families.
“Hartsville Northern League is more than a ballpark, it’s family,” said Lisa Smith of the Hartsville Northern League. “As with any family, we look out for each other. The addition of an AED will allow us to not only look out for our players, but also their families, friends, and neighbors. If an emergency occurs while someone is at our park, the AED empowers us to begin life-saving measures while we wait for first responders to arrive. These critical minutes could be the difference between life and death for someone. We are forever grateful to the American Heart Association and McLeod Health for this donation and for allowing us to care for our Hartsville Northern family if a cardiac event were to occur.”
Visit heart.org/CPR to learn more about CPR and AED training opportunities in your area. To support ongoing efforts to create heart-safe communities, visit heart.org or contact the American Heart Association team in the Pee Dee office at peedeesc@heart.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Maranda Williams, maranda.williams@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
