Church hosts health fair to support #3forHeartCPR Challenge

Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, 497 Crescent Ave., will host a communitywide “Health Awareness: Mind, Body & Soul” health fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

The indoor event will provide free health screenings for blood pressure and blood sugar, along with educational resources to amplify the importance of holistic health and wellness, a news release said.

“In support of NFL player Damar Hamlin’s #3forHeartCPR Challenge launched this month in partnership with the American Heart Association, Greater St. Paul seeks to raise awareness among other congregations throughout Central Arkansas to get trained in administering CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), Heimlich, and AED. The Buffalo Bills safety, who collapsed during a televised Monday night game in early January, aims for more lives to be saved through CPR education and training,” the release said.

Free training in CPR and Heimlich for adults, children, and infants as well as training in the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, will be provided onsite at the event by the American Heart Association-Central Arkansas, with participants receiving certification for a $20 fee.

Greater St. Paul’s Health Care Ministry is amplifying Hamlin’s challenge to increase awareness that cardiac arrest also occurs at churches. Having an AED on-hand and congregants trained in administering it to persons experiencing arrest “can mean the difference between life and death,” the release said.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) usually causes death if it’s not treated within minutes. In fact, each minute of SCA leads to a 10 percent reduction in survival. Rapid treatment of SCA with an AED can be lifesaving.”

Greater St. Paul Baptist Church was started 142 years ago by approximately 25 people, the Hot Springs area congregation is currently under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Kenneth R. Gulley. His wife, health care professional Lauri Gulley, “is the visionary behind this event.”