LANSING, Mich., June 4, 2025 — State Rep. Angela Witwer (Delta Twp.) spoke to her resolution today declaring the week of June 1-7, 2025, as CPR and AED Awareness Week in the state of Michigan. The resolution honors the memory of Everson Guild, a 14-year-old who tragically lost his life in 2017 due to sudden cardiac arrest during a routine football practice at Grand Ledge High School. Everson’s parents joined Witwer on the House floor to witness her speech and the resolution’s passage.
“It is with a heavy heart and honor that I dedicate this resolution to Everson Guild, a bright kid and teammate who was committed to making the world a better place,” Witwer said. “This week is about ensuring communities understand that sudden cardiac arrest does not discriminate by age or fitness. CPR training and AEDs are crucial resources that save lives, which all athletes, parents and coaches need access to.”
Last year, the Legislature passed Public Acts 36 and 37 of 2024, requiring all Michigan schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and offer training and access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) within one to three minutes of a cardiac emergency. The laws seek to save lives, recognizing that more than 300 children and young adults lose their lives to sudden cardiac arrest in Michigan every year.
“The legislation we passed last year was a long time coming and widely supported by medical professionals, educators and parents,” Witwer continued. “I’m proud to see this Legislature reaffirm our commitment to keeping school sporting and other community events safe. The way we honor lives lost is through action — that is what we will continue to do.”
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