Help purchase a LUCAS machine for Prairietown VFD

***Before going into this fundraising effort, we want the readers to know we appreciate the overwhelming response our family received during one of the most stressful and unnerving period of our lives. The amount of donations, prayers and assistance that was received is beyond unbelievable. Thank you! We love and appreciate all of you.***

 

SYNOPSIS OF WHAT OCCURRED (read the full story here - https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-randy-L-medical-bills)

 

• March 31st - Randy woke up not feeling well
• 911 was called to his residence and a very short time after, the Prairietown Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene. Randy collapsed due to a massive heart attack in his Left Anterior Descending Artery; with a 100% occlusion to the artery (Commonly called the "Widow Maker")
• This type of heart attack has a 6% survival rate outside of the hospital setting when witnessed and CPR is administered right away.
• CPR was administered right away by two first responders on the Prairietown Volunteer Fire Department
• Alton Memorial EMS arrived on scene a short time after CPR was started
• They placed Randy on what is called a LUCAS Chest Compression Machine - This machine mimics chest compressions that a human provides, but in a more consistent and accurate way.
• Randy was shocked multiple times, with the LUCAS machine doing what it was created to do
• Randy was ultimately brought back to life due to the quick CPR efforts of the first responders, the AED and the LUCAS machine
• It is a FACT, that without the quick efforts of the first responders and the LUCAS machine being on the ambulance, Randy would not have survived

 

 

WHY WE HAVE ASKED FOR A SECOND ROUND OF FUNDING

 

With the first gofundme, we said that the money raised that was left over after all medical bills were paid; would be put towards purchasing a LUCAS machine. This machine would then be donated to the Prairietown Volunteer Fire Department. After all of the medical expenses and needed medical equipment costs, Randy and Anita have approximately $7,000 left from the original Gofundme.

 

We have worked extensively with the company (Stryker) who manufactures the LUCAS machine. During this process, Stryker has graciously discounted the price of a new LUCAS machine and components needed down to an extremely affordable number at $13,668. This leaves almost a gap of $7,000 in order to fulfill the desired quest of getting this valuable piece of equipment onto the Prairietown Fire Department's fire trucks.

 

We have also been in constant communication with the Fire Chief and the Assistant Chief of the Prairietown Fire Department to ensure they are able to take such a donation. They have worked diligently with their medical director and have put in place the required policies and approvals to be allowed to carry this equipment on their fire trucks.

 

WHY DOES PRAIRIETOWN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT NEED THIS EQUIPMENT?

 

We are going to start this section off with a quote from the fire chief of the Prairietown Fire Department - "This machine otherwise is outside of our reach for purchasing and will be a game changer for our department and community." - Fire Chief, Randy Cassady

 

What does Chief Cassady mean by that? IT WILL HELP SAVE LIVES FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

 

Prairietown Fire Department relies solely on their volunteer members. They respond to a vast area within Madison County that is of a mostly rural setting. Having this vital piece of equipment on their truck could be the deciding factor on whether a loved one survives an event such as the one Randy did.

 

The Prairietown Fire Department does not house a staffed ambulance service and relies on other area ambulance services to respond to medical emergencies such as; Alton Memorial EMS, Staunton EMS, Bunker Hill EMS, as well as on occasion Hamel EMS and Edwardsville EMS.

 

As anyone familiar with this area will tell you, it takes time for not only a department relying on volunteers to respond to a scene, but also for an outside EMS service to arrive on scene. Typically, the Prairietown Fire Department will arrive on scene prior to the ambulance service; the time of which can vary greatly on factors outside of anyone's control.

 

Having the fire department arrive on scene with this equipment will greatly increase the odds of survival due to the simple fact that they will no longer have to rely on performing manual CPR while awaiting for an ambulance to arrive; that may or may not possess such equipment as the LUCAS machine. Ambulance arrival time for this area can be very extensive for multiple reasons.

 

The LUCAS machine has been a subject of multiple studies to determine whether or not it is an effective tool to use in the first responder field, and it has been found to be just that; and effective tool that can help increase the odds of survivability. It is reported that 99% of the survivors of a cardiac event, have had a good neurological outcome at their 6 month check up. We are proud and happy to say, Randy is within this 99%.

 

One may wonder why this is so and it is due to the mechanical nature of the machine. It is able to provide constant compressions at a consistent depth needed to effectively move the blood flow throughout the body to help sustain life. This is something a human can do as well, and perhaps just as well as a LUCAS machine. However, it isn't something that is sustainable for one person to do at a consistent rate for as long of a time as the first responders of the Prairietown Fire Department often have to do.

Again, the Prairietown fire department relies on volunteers to respond to calls, sometimes with a sole responder on a trucb, by themselves. With being the only person on scene and the fact the ambulance arrival can be extensive, that sole person will tire quickly from performing proper CPR. High, quality chest compressions is what saves lives; and that is precisely what this machine delivers.

 

It is hard to provide an accurate number on how many lives the LUCAS machine has helped to save, as every situation is different (Witnessed cardiac arrest vs non witnessed etc). But, some reports show as high as a 50% increase chance of survival outside of  CPR being performed. To go from 6% to 50% is a HUGE increase in the odds of survival for you or a loved one.

 

WHO WILL THIS DONATION BE PROVIDED BY AND TO WHO?

 

This donation will be provided to the Prairietown Fire Department from the Luttrell family, on behalf of the community. The community, family and friends have all rallied together to support someone they called a friend, family member, co-worker etc. to provide their assistance and the Luttrell family is wanting to make sure that assistance does not go unnoticed; as well as to a good cause.

 

You, the community, family and friends deserve the recognition in making this happen. We are simply the carriers of your grand outpouring of support and graciousness.

 

HOW WILL THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVE THEIR DONATION?

 

While we wanted to buy the LUCAS machine ourselves and provide it to the department. That is not possible as the LUCAS machine cannot be sold to the public. Instead, we will be providing the fire department with a check of the proceeds in the entirety and they will purchase the machine from the contacts we have made at the Stryker company.

 

WILL THERE BE SOMETHING WE CAN ATTEND TO SEE THE DONATION BE HANDED OFF?

 

We aren't sure. We would love to be able to make that happen,. With the current state of the pandemic, we don't know if that would be possible. If we can make it happen with everyone involved, we will. It is possible a live video event could occur at a public meeting, where everyone could attend virtually (should we not be able to do something in person).

 

CONCLUSION

 

Again, we cannot thank everyone enough for the outpouring of support. We will forever be indebted and grateful to everyone. This machine is an absolute lifesaver and to quote (again) the fire chief of the Prairietown Fire Department "This machine otherwise is outside of our reach for purchasing and will be a game changer for our department and community." - Fire Chief, Randy Cassady