One local family transformed their personal tragedy into a mission that is saving lives. In 2012, Gwyneth Griffin experienced sudden cardiac arrest at school and passed away shortly after her 13th birthday. Since then, her parents, Joel and Jennifer Griffin, have been working to prevent others from experiencing this same kind of loss.
Through working with the American Heart Association, the Griffins advocated for legislation, called Gwyneth’s Law, which has three components: Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in schools; CPR training for teachers; and a high school CPR graduation requirement.
The law was passed, and shortly thereafter, the Griffins started Gwyneth’s Gift Foundation.
“Our program’s focus areas are training and awareness, AED funding and scholarships,” says Joel. “While we made significant progress in 2016, this year (2017) was the first full year of operation.”
The foundation is taking steps to increase the number of people in the community who know how to save lives in an emergency. Locally, Gwyneth’s Gift has taught hands-only CPR at National Night Out and D.A.R.E. Day in Stafford County, Rotary meetings and is beginning work with local businesses to promote CPR training in the workplace.
“Our funding program requires locations to agree to have trained personnel on staff, placing the AEDs in areas that provide the most impact and ensure these lifesaving devices are regularly monitored,” says Joel.
The rate of participation in the foundation’s annual CPR training efforts has increased year after year. In 2016, approximately 150 individuals participated, and in 2017, more than 400 people were trained.
“At Gwyneth’s Gift, we are promoting a culture of action within our region. We want people moving to the area to know that this community has and will continue to take steps that ensure we work together to care for one another,” Joel says. “More importantly, the people who live here have the skills needed to save a life because they stepped forward to receive the training. We are proud that our organization is available to create this awareness and provide the training resources.” — By Dava Stewart
Health Care and Hospitals near Fredericksburg VA
DaVita Kidney Specialist of Fredericksburg
609 Jefferson Davis Hwy., #201
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-899-3107
Fredericksburg Ambulatory Surgery Ctr.
1201 Sam Perry Blvd., Suite 101C,
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-741-7000
HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
300 Park Hill Drive
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-368-7300
Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg
4501 Empire Court,
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
540-371-0079
Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic
1301 Sam Perry Blvd., Suite 100,
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-741-1061
Mary Washington Hospital
1001 Sam Perry Blvd.,
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-741-1100
Mary Washington Healthcare – Massaponax Medical Park
9530 Cosner Drive, Suite 102,
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
540-741-3415
Mary Washington Hospital Radiation Oncology
1300 Hospital Drive, Suite 101,
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-741-0655
Medical Imaging of Fredericksburg, LLC
1201 Sam Perry Blvd., Suite 102,
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-741-9729
Reese Medical Associates
10620 Spotsylvania Ave.,
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
540-710-1086
Sentara Pratt Medical Group Dahlgren Campus
16463 Dahlgren Road,
King George, VA 22485
540-644-9505
Sentara Pratt Medical Group Frank Duncan Campus
4701 Spotyslvania Pkwy.,
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Sentara Pratt Medical Group Jack Johnson Campus
12101 Carol Ln.,
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
Sentara Pratt Medical Group King George Campus
7967 Kings Hwy.,
King George, VA 22485
540-775-6445
Sentara Pratt Medical Group Stafford
95 Dunn Drive,
Stafford, VA 22556
540-659-2111
Sentara Pratt Medical Group T. Stacy Lloyd Campus
1451 Hospital Drive,
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
4600 Spotsylvania Pkwy.,
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
540-498-4000
Stafford Hospital
101 Hospital Center Blvd.,
Stafford, VA 22554
540-741-9000
Stafford Women’s Health Associates
125 Hospital Center Blvd., Suite 221,
Stafford, VA 22554
540-656-2830
CPR and Training Solutions
540-903-8090