VNA Community Services receives America Heart Association grant for expanding cardiovascular health resources in Knox County

A grant from the American Heart Association will help expand cardiovascular health resources in Knox County.

VNA Community Services has received $5,000 in funding from the American Heart Association to expand cardiovascular health resources and strengthen emergency preparedness for seniors and the greater Knox County community.

The funding will help VNA establish itself as a community Blood Pressure Hub, giving residents convenient access to blood pressure monitoring, education and resources to encourage identifying high blood pressure early and managing it better. The Hub will make blood pressure monitoring an accessible and routine part of VNA's community programming and give residents easy-to-understand information about what their numbers mean, how to properly monitor their blood pressure, heart-healthy lifestyle choices and when they should seek medical care. People who need additional follow-ups will be connected with local health care resources.

The grant also helped VNA purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for its Galesburg facility, a critical layer of protection for the hundreds of seniors, volunteers, staff members and community residents who come through VNA's doors annually.

“For many of the seniors we serve, something as simple as knowing their blood pressure could be the first warning that something is wrong and the first step toward preventing something far more serious,” said Michael Bennett, Executive Director of VNA Community Services. “Sometimes prevention begins with something incredibly simple: giving someone the opportunity to know their numbers, understand what those numbers mean and know what they should do next.”

“Preparedness isn't just having an AED hanging on the wall. It is having the equipment, having people trained to use it and having a plan so that when seconds matter, everyone knows what to do. The American Heart Association has helped us strengthen both sides of that equation: identifying risk before an emergency happens and being prepared to act if one does.”

“We are incredibly grateful to the American Heart Association for investing in VNA and, more importantly, investing in the health and safety of the people we serve. We hope we never have to use that AED. But if that day ever comes, we will be far more prepared because of this partnership.”

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