University of Pittsburgh

Safar Center for Resuscitation Research

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l>ntrkk M. [CftcbtwCK MO, FCCM Director kock^nekpm@ccm.upmoedu Sri mil el A. Tllirmiui, MU, F C C M Associate Director

March 27, 2003 The Honorable Ed Rendell Governor of Pennsylvania 225 Main Capitol Harrisbure PA 17120 Te:: 717-772-9041 Fax: 717-772-3155 RE: Save A Life Foundation (SALF) Dear Governor Rendell: Having been for some time a promoter of some of your programs and having been ideologically in your "camp" (member of the DN'C), I was particularly privileged to have a luncheon session last month with your State Senator Kukovich Among the topics we discussed with some of the most senior professors at the University of Pittsburgh, was of course health care delivery. Within that topic I would now like to take the opportunity to encourage your team leaders to support as much as possible the Save A Life Foundation (SALF), which after much success in Illinois has started new programs in Pennsylvania promoted by us and affiliated with FEMA The SALF was initiated in Chicago by Carol Spizzirri, R.N. in 1993 with the goal to help all fit humans acquire the skills of life supporting first aid (LSFA). The SALF is helping the public, starting in childhood, acquire the most basic steps of LSFA, which we have promoted and researched since the 1960s. Severe hemorrhage, upper airway obstruction by foreign bodies or the base of the tongue in coma, cessation of breathing, and pulselessness can occur rapidly, and kill or cause permanent brain damage if LSFA steps are not applied within seconds or a very few minutes. Emergencies in which LSFA attempts are justified occur in maybe up to one-quarter of all humans who die worldwide in peacetime. These numbers can escalate when there might be a terrorist attack, including explosions, chemicals, or biologic weapons. The SALF has established itself as the so far most effective organization in reaching out to the masses with LSFA skill acquisition. The physician advisor of SALF for Pennsylvania is anesthesiologist Stephen Orebaugh, M.D. in our Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh.

CUIton CfiHuWy, MD, PhD /hiofi'.irs Director Cardlopulmonary Arrest Program callavoytvQ.nLtpmc.edM C. Ed w a rd H I M , , , P hi) ,lMociij/ Director Functional Outcome tdixon@new0rui.ptt edit Robert H 11. Clark, M l) Anoetanartetor Mateeufor Biology <-larkrs@ccmupmc.edu L i m y W. .Ink4n, I'liD ,oetaiPJrtf<V MbtocuterlHefaw Ijenkini\@pllt.edit Lludfl A ink k Administrator III iw\teklr%anu upmc.odu

Ccler Snfni, M l> , Or.h.c, FCCM Outingittshed Profeuor Office:(41)) 6246735 Cell: (41 i) 973-1823 to: fUyftt&M snfiirfi(^mi.upme.4u Prsui M h t r U k Administrative Secretary mislrli.-lr/haiies.upmc.ed,i

John .1. Sclnoft-r III, M P D/AISIW, JWSBR (CfHW /iiKiiufir oj Simulation, Education and Research Office: (-112) 648-69-13 schaiftrjj@ana.-t, upmc. edu www. wiser pttt.sdu

Transforming

the Present Discovering

lite

Future

The Honorable Kd Rendell

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March 27, 2003

I believe that bringing the SALF to Pennsylvania to work in cooperation with our present Emergency Medical Services would benefit all the citizens of our state. Sincerely,

_S>^J.*
Peier Safar, M.D., D r . h e , FCCM. FCCP Distinguished Professor Principal Investigator SCRR Univ. of Pittsburgli/DOD Research PS/fin Enclosures: cc: Senator Allen G. Kukovich Carol Spizzirrl, R.N. Joseph Orebaugh, M.D