On July 12, the Monsanto Fund presented a grant check to the Saline County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) to be used to purchase an AED. The AED has arrived, and a ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 15, on the east side of the Saline County Courthouse with representatives from Monsanto, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office, Saline County Ambulance District, MRC and Saline County Commissioners present.
MRC coordinator Russ Donnell says funds from Monsanto have been used to purchase several AEDs.

Donnell said AEDs definitely are life savers. He explained how an AED purchased through a previous donation by Monsanto saved a person’s life who had suffered a heart attack at the campground at Arrow Rock State Park in 2014.
This particular AED will be placed at the Saline County Jail. Sheriff Cindi Mullins said it primarily will be left in the jail to be utilized in the event of an emergency.
Donnell said you do not have to be trained to use an AED. He says they are in a lot of public facilities to use in emergencies. He says “do not be afraid to get one down and use it.”

Donnell said if an AED is utilized early, a person who suffers a heart attack has a 90 percent chance of survival.
Picture: from left, Cole Stalter, Raechel Asbury and Susan Pointer, of Monsanto; Saline County Sheriff Cindi Mullins; MRC representative Jim Steinmetz; Saline County Southern District Commissioner Monte Fenner; Saline County Ambulance District personnel Jerry VanDeventer and Lucas Fowler; and Saline County Presiding Commissioner Kile Guthrey Jr.