ARCHBOLD WEATHER

Radiothon Has Reduced Goal For 2009





Fulton County Heart Radiothon takes to the airwaves Thursday, Feb. 12, with a reduced goal.

Rich Batdorf, a member of the board of directors, said the goal has been reduced by about a third.

The goal was reduced $6,540, from $27,370 in 2008 to $20,830 for 2009.

“The number one reason is because of the economy. We don’t want to miss our goal,” Batdorf said.

Also, “We have 96 AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) out there. We can’t think of any we need to add.”

Plus, some of those AEDs are going to need new batteries.

“We’ve been spending close to $3,000 a year for replacement batteries.”

AEDs

The radiothon started 35 years ago, with the goal of providing money for the best possible care for heart attack victims in Fulton County.

Local celebrity disc jockeys take over Archbold radio station WMTR (96.1 FM) for a day, accepting pledges in return for playing requested music over the air.

In the past, money has gone to buy equipment for the county emergency medical service crews, and for Fulton County Health Center.

Several years ago, the Radiothon began purchasing AEDs. The first units were allocated to the county police and sheriff department patrol cars, because they are often the first to arrive at the scene of a person suffering a heart attack.

Later, units were added to schools churches, and other public venues.

The Radiothon for 2009 budgets $3,000 for battery replacement, plus another $495 for an AED “trainer,” a device that simulates the operation of the AED.

Other Allocations

The Radiothon is providing $3,500 to the county EMS system. The money will be used for the local share of grants to upgrade the original defibrillators that were purchased for the ambulances.

That allocation is down about $1,750, about a third.

Fulton County Health Center will receive $3,335 in equipment and training, down about 44%, or $2,635, from last year’s $5,970. Last year, the Radiothon purchased two adult CPR mannequins and two baby CPR manikins. They year, it’s one each.

The Teen Tickers program, a blood-screening program aimed at Fulton County High School seniors and freshmen, has been allocated $6,000, down from $6,800 last year.

Batdorf said the number of students who participate in Teen Tickers is “down a little.”

FCHC officials use the data gathered from Teen Tickers. On at least one occasion, a student was discovered to have a serious health issue, an issue that would have been missed without the screening.

A similar screening program for the community had its allocation cut by $1,000, from $4,000 to $3,000.

Some allocations remain the same. The Fairlawn Haven nursing home in Archbold and the Fulton Manor nursing home in Wauseon will each receive $250 for the purchase of heart-related equipment.

The Radiothon board allocated an additional $250 to promotional supplies, from $750 to $1,000.

Batdorf said plans for the 2009 event are being finalized.

Other Events

Again this year, Fairlawn Haven will hold its annual Heart Carnival in conjunction with the Radiothon.

Beverly Armstrong, Fairlawn activities director, said the event is from 7 to 8:30 pm, “but we always run over.”

Armstrong said this year, because of the slow economy, there is no financial goal.

“Whatever we get will be fine,” she said.

In the past, Fairlawn officials set a $1,000 target for the carnival; last year, the event generated about $1,300.

Again this year, FCHC will offer the Dance Fit program at the Ruihley Park Pavilion. Participants raise pledges.


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