For Benton County resident Paula Spring, life is about getting down to the heart of the matter.
Deeply committed to civic causes, Spring has devoted much of the past two years to the Jim Spring AED “Fore” the Heart Benefit Golf Tournament, a fundraising event in memory of her late husband Dr. James Spring.
Dr. Spring, a well-known and respected dentist in both Warsaw and the state, died two years ago after suffering a heart attack.
Paula Spring and the couple’s daughter Megan Spring developed the idea for the tournament in conjunction with the Benton County Health Department Fund Raising Team to raise money for the purchase of AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators).
“Last year we gave out six AEDs,” Spring said. “We had amazing and much appreciated support for the first tourney in 2016.
“One each went to the pool and golf course in Cole Camp, two to the Lincoln R-2 School District, and one each to the Warsaw pool and Shawnee Bend Golf Course in Warsaw,” Spring added. “We hope to present six more again this year, enabling all of us to save more lives in the event of a heart failure emergency at a public place.”
Free training was provided for staff members at those six locations, Spring noted.
In information provided to the Democrat, Spring commented that every two to three minutes in the United States someone suffers from cardiac arrest. At least 95 percent of the cases end in death within a few minutes if the individual receives no treatment.
“If CPR is started immediately, 911 is contacted and the person is treated with an AED quickly, the patient stands a 60 to 70 percent chance for survival,” Spring said. “For every one minute defibrillation is delayed, the victim loses 10 percent of the chances for survival.
“Up to 50 percent of cardiac arrest victims will have the need for defibrillation,” Spring added. “That is why both the devices and the training are so important.”
Based on the success of last year’s inaugural event, organizers are hoping to purchase six more AEDs this year to be donated to other public facilities in Benton County.
“The tournament format and costs remain the same as last year,” Spring said. “The payout table will be based on nine teams per flight.
“First place will receive $240, with second place receiving $180 and third place $120,” Spring noted. “We have been blessed by the generosity of Jim Falk Motors for sponsoring some special cash prizes and other business and organizations who have also generously donated to the tournament.”
Among those sponsors are $1,000 donations from Golden Valley Memorial Hospital and Walmart Stores Inc.
“I just learned that Bothwell Regional Health Center is awarding our benefit $2,000,” Spring said. “This is the second year they have given the benefit this amount and we are so appreciative.
“The medical professionals in Benton County are incredible and our tournament is a way to help support them in what they do every day, which is save lives,” Spring added. “We are grateful for all of the support we have received both last year and this year.”
Teams may still register until April 30 to enter the tournament, which will be Saturday, May 6. The four-person scramble will have a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The men will play the white tee on the front and the yellow tee on the back and the women will play on the red tee. The entry fee is $180 per team and both a complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided.
For more information or to register a team, contact Kelli Daleske at the Benton County Health Department, PO Box 935, Warsaw, Mo. 65355.
