Hello, Everyone! We just got word late yesterday that the Senate Education Committee worked out a compromise amendment to, "Aidan's Law," (SB 606) and they are most likely going to hold a committee vote this Tuesday, June 11th! If the bill does not pass committee, we're done. If it passes, it goes to the full Senate floor for a vote and we keep moving. But we still have a long way to go before this becomes an actual law.......
This is a huge step and we REALLY need your help. And it'll take only a few minutes of your time. Please help by calling a few (or all of them, if your inspired.....) of the members of the Senate Education Committee and encourage them to vote in favor of SB 606 on Tuesday. If you're looking for what to say specifically, say something like this:
"Hello, my name is __________ and I am calling to encourage Senator ______ to vote in favor of SB 606, also known as, "Aidan's Law" when the Education Committee meets on Tuesday, June 11th. As a citizen of Pennsylvania, and as a parent, this is a bill that will undoubtedly save children's lives and I want to see it passed as soon as possible. I look forward to seeing Senator _______'s "yes" vote on Tuesday. Thank you."
Adjust however you want, but that's the gist of all you have to say. Won't take long. Below is a list of the members of the state Senate Education Committee. If you can only make one or two phone calls, please consider calling a Republican member of the committee, as they have been a bit slower thus far to support the measure, as they don't like the idea of forcing more mandates upon school districts. We respect that, but feel the benefits of lives saved trump the fact that this is another thing districts have to do. Honestly, they should have been doing this already.
So call the following folks:
Republicans:
Sen. Mike Folmer, Chairman: 717-787-5708
Sen. Patrick Browne: 717-787-1349
Sen. Jake Corman: 717-787-1377
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf: 717-787-6599 (co-sponsor)
Sen. Lloyd Smucker, Vice Chair: 717-787-5072
Sen. Robert Tomlinson: 717-787-5072
Sen. Joseph Scarnati (Ex-Officio): 717-787-7084
Democrats:
Sen. Andrew Dinniman, Minority Chair: 717-787-5709 (author of bill and primary sponsor)
Sen. Daylin Leach: 717-787-5544 (co-sponsor)
Sen. Rob Teplitz: 717-787-6801 (co-sponsor)
Sen. Anthony Williams: 717-787-5970 (co-sponsor)
I think it's safe to assume the co-sponsors will vote yes, so if you can call only one or a few, call the ones that do NOT have a co-sponsor label next to their name. If you have any questions, give me a call (484-678-9190) or shoot me an email (sjsilva12@gmail.com).
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help. Once I hear the results of Tuesday's vote, I'll update here. Until then, get on the phone!!!
Love to all,
Steve and Christy
Friday, June 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
All About Our Bill (SB 606)
In case you're wondering what exactly it is we're asking you to support, check out the text, sponsors, and more about Aidan's Law (SB 606) by clicking on the following link:
http://legiscan.com/PA/bill/SB606
We learned today that Sen. Folmer, Majority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, is currently deciding whether or not to present our bill to the committee. If he does, and if the committee votes for our bill, it will then go to the Senate floor.
So how important are your phone calls to Mr. Folmer at the moment? EXTREMELY!!!! Please take a second and make the call. Move that bill forward!
Sen. Mike Folmer: 717-787-5708
Oh! ANY PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER CAN CALL!!!! You don't have to live in his district. So ask your spouse, your friends, your co-workers, and your cool 20-year-old niece to make the call in support of SB 606.
They're expecting you ;)
xoxo
http://legiscan.com/PA/bill/SB606
We learned today that Sen. Folmer, Majority Chair of the Senate Education Committee, is currently deciding whether or not to present our bill to the committee. If he does, and if the committee votes for our bill, it will then go to the Senate floor.
So how important are your phone calls to Mr. Folmer at the moment? EXTREMELY!!!! Please take a second and make the call. Move that bill forward!
Sen. Mike Folmer: 717-787-5708
Oh! ANY PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER CAN CALL!!!! You don't have to live in his district. So ask your spouse, your friends, your co-workers, and your cool 20-year-old niece to make the call in support of SB 606.
They're expecting you ;)
xoxo
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
30 Hours for 30 Months
As you've learned, Aidan's Law (now officially SB 606) has successfully leaped over the first hurdle by making its way into committe-- THANKS TO YOUR PHONECALLS, EMAILS, and SIGNATURES. Your efforts have gotten the bill in the door of the PA Senate-- now, we need you to help it get to the floor.
Our current challenge is to get the bill passed by the PA Senate Education Committee so that it will go to the full Senate Floor for a vote. If all goes well, then SB 606 is off to the State House of Representatives and we'll be halfway to making this proposed legislation a full-fledged state law.
So we're again asking for your help. This past Monday marked thirty months since we lost Aidan, and in a bittersweet twist of irony, it was also the first day SB 606 officially spent in the Pennsylvania law-making process.
Tomorrow at noon, there will be 30 hours left in the week until Harrisburg's halls clear out for the weekend. We want to bombard the Senate Education Committee with our support and urge them to vote for Aidan's Law/ SB 606. Can you carve out a few minutes of those 30 hours to help ensure that our schools will be heart-safe for kids?
Here's what we're asking you to do:
CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND ASK THEM TO MOVE SB 606 TO THE FULL SENATE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.
There are two senators that we're particularly interested in, so if you don't have time to contact all committeemembers, PLEASE focus on these two:
Senator Mike Folmer (R), Chair of the Senate Education Committee. He is the one who decides if the bill will even see the light of day in the committee itself. Call him, urge him to bring the bill to a vote, and encourage him to support SB 606. Sen. Folmer's phone number is 717-787-5708.
The second person to call is Senator Dominic Pileggi (R), the Senate Majority Leader. As Senate Majority Leader, has the ability to use his position of leadership to encourage forward progress on any legislation in the Senate. What's more, over 20% of your signatures came from his district alone. Let him know! Urge HIM to encourage the Education Committee to bring SB 606 to a vote and ask him to support it as well. Trust us, he's WELL AWARE of this bill. Sen. Pileggi's phone number is: 717-787-4712.
The other members of the Education Committee whose "yes" we need are:
Senator Lloyd K. Smucker (R), Vice Chair: 717-787-6535
Senator Joseph Scarnati III (R), Ex-Officio: 717-787-7084
Senator Patrick Browne (R): 717-787-1349
Senator Jake Corman (R): 717-787-1377
Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R): 717-787-6599
Senator Robert Tomlinson (R): 717-787-5072
Senator Daylin Leach (D): 717-787-5544
Senator Rob Teplitz (D): 717-787-6801
Senator Anthony Williams: 717-787-5970
Remember, you can contact ANY of these senators. It DOES NOT MATTER which district you live in, as long as you're a PA resident.
And please ask your spouse, friends, and any children ages 18 or older to do the same!!!
If you choose to email, here's a sample text you can use:
------------------------
I will keep you posted as this important legislation moves through process.
---------------------
As always, thank you for your support and thank you for helping us make the effort to keep our kids here in Pennsylvania safe.
All the best,
Christy and Steve
Our current challenge is to get the bill passed by the PA Senate Education Committee so that it will go to the full Senate Floor for a vote. If all goes well, then SB 606 is off to the State House of Representatives and we'll be halfway to making this proposed legislation a full-fledged state law.
So we're again asking for your help. This past Monday marked thirty months since we lost Aidan, and in a bittersweet twist of irony, it was also the first day SB 606 officially spent in the Pennsylvania law-making process.
Tomorrow at noon, there will be 30 hours left in the week until Harrisburg's halls clear out for the weekend. We want to bombard the Senate Education Committee with our support and urge them to vote for Aidan's Law/ SB 606. Can you carve out a few minutes of those 30 hours to help ensure that our schools will be heart-safe for kids?
Here's what we're asking you to do:
CONTACT THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE AND ASK THEM TO MOVE SB 606 TO THE FULL SENATE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.
There are two senators that we're particularly interested in, so if you don't have time to contact all committeemembers, PLEASE focus on these two:
Senator Mike Folmer (R), Chair of the Senate Education Committee. He is the one who decides if the bill will even see the light of day in the committee itself. Call him, urge him to bring the bill to a vote, and encourage him to support SB 606. Sen. Folmer's phone number is 717-787-5708.
The second person to call is Senator Dominic Pileggi (R), the Senate Majority Leader. As Senate Majority Leader, has the ability to use his position of leadership to encourage forward progress on any legislation in the Senate. What's more, over 20% of your signatures came from his district alone. Let him know! Urge HIM to encourage the Education Committee to bring SB 606 to a vote and ask him to support it as well. Trust us, he's WELL AWARE of this bill. Sen. Pileggi's phone number is: 717-787-4712.
The other members of the Education Committee whose "yes" we need are:
Senator Lloyd K. Smucker (R), Vice Chair: 717-787-6535
Senator Joseph Scarnati III (R), Ex-Officio: 717-787-7084
Senator Patrick Browne (R): 717-787-1349
Senator Jake Corman (R): 717-787-1377
Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R): 717-787-6599
Senator Robert Tomlinson (R): 717-787-5072
Senator Daylin Leach (D): 717-787-5544
Senator Rob Teplitz (D): 717-787-6801
Senator Anthony Williams: 717-787-5970
Remember, you can contact ANY of these senators. It DOES NOT MATTER which district you live in, as long as you're a PA resident.
And please ask your spouse, friends, and any children ages 18 or older to do the same!!!
If you choose to email, here's a sample text you can use:
------------------------
Hi Everyone,
I need your help. As many of you know, Steve and Christy Silva have recently developed legislation to require
Automatic External Defibrillator's (AED) in every public school in PA.
This legislation called "Aidan's Law" SB 606 is currently in the Senate
Education Committee and needs to be voted on to move to the full floor.
I ask you to please take a minute, right now, to call Senator Mike Folmer at 717-274-6735 and Senator Dominic Pileggi at 717-787-4712.
Tell them you are a PA resident and you want them to protect our
children's hearts by voting yes to "Aidan's Law" SB 606. If they don't
answer, leave a message.
Please make sure everyone in your house who is 18 calls, too!
Thank you, Thank you!
I will keep you posted as this important legislation moves through process.
Love,
---------------------
As always, thank you for your support and thank you for helping us make the effort to keep our kids here in Pennsylvania safe.
All the best,
Christy and Steve
Monday, March 4, 2013
Wait! We're Not Done! We Need (More of) Your Help!!!
Hold on! Don't go anywhere! We can't put our feet up just yet!
I've been getting a number of email/Facebook messages/texts saying, "Congrats on passing Aidan's Law!!!" But we haven't! Yet!
I'm learning my civics lessons all over again, and if I've been misleading in any post, I apologize (it just means that I sent them out without first consulting with my wise husband, Mr. History Teacher-- AP US, no less).
I've nabbed an image of the "How a Bill Becomes a Law" process to supplement this explanation (and I studied the image before I wrote-- Steve's in the middle of PHS baseball tryouts at the moment, so I'm on my own...)
Do you love that picture or what?! So, where we are right now is THE SECOND BLUE CIRCLE FROM THE TOP ON THE LEFT, "Committee Hearings". Each 'down' arrow represents a passing vote, which enables the proposed legislation to move to the next level.
The point is, WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!!!! And actually, we probably will need it for some time-- you can see how many "bubbles" there are to jump through. Can we count on you?
So, what we HAVE accomplished is that Aidan's Law, or SB 606, has been successfully introduced by its original author (Sen. Dinniman) and referred to the Senate Education Committee. It will continue the process of being considered to ultimately become a Pennsylvania law. Without your efforts, our proposed legislation would have already been squashed, and we'd have to start at square one. Which is a tiny, overcrowded, competitive little square, so we'd rather not go back there...
At this point, SB 606 is being considered by the Senate Education Committee for review. The senators on the committee will study it, research it, and will soon vote on it. If they vote "yes," we keep moving ahead, and SB 606 goes to the full Senate floor. If they vote "no," then we're done. Totally done. And Aidan's Law has no hope of getting passed.
(I need a review of whether or not the committee needs a quorum-- ha! aren't you impressed that I remembered that word??? although I probably didn't use it correctly-- or a majority, or just the coolest people to vote 'for' the bill in order to move it to the floor. Will consult my beloved.)
If SB 606 gets to the full Senate floor, it needs to be voted for again by the entire Senate. If passed, it goes to the House of Representatives, and much of the process is repeated. If it's not passed, we're done. Totally done.
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW: Regardless of which/whose senatorial district you live in, PLEASE CALL, EMAIL, or WRITE ANY OR ALL (all would be optimal, of course) SENATORS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, particularly Mr. Folmer, the majority chair of the committee. Click here to view the Education Committee homepage; click any name to reveal his contact information.
THIS STEP IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE LAST-- signing the petition and calling your local senators is what got us IN the committee-- now we need to get ON the full Senate floor.
Two minutes, maybe ten, to ensure that you've done your part at this juncture to better protect kids' hearts in PA-- inaction at this point could negate the efforts you've already taken. PLEASE CONTACT THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY!!!
We have no word on when they will be voting on Aidan's Law/ SB 606. We'll keep you updated.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Christy
I've been getting a number of email/Facebook messages/texts saying, "Congrats on passing Aidan's Law!!!" But we haven't! Yet!
I'm learning my civics lessons all over again, and if I've been misleading in any post, I apologize (it just means that I sent them out without first consulting with my wise husband, Mr. History Teacher-- AP US, no less).
I've nabbed an image of the "How a Bill Becomes a Law" process to supplement this explanation (and I studied the image before I wrote-- Steve's in the middle of PHS baseball tryouts at the moment, so I'm on my own...)
 |
| Click image to visit original source |
Do you love that picture or what?! So, where we are right now is THE SECOND BLUE CIRCLE FROM THE TOP ON THE LEFT, "Committee Hearings". Each 'down' arrow represents a passing vote, which enables the proposed legislation to move to the next level.
The point is, WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!!!! And actually, we probably will need it for some time-- you can see how many "bubbles" there are to jump through. Can we count on you?
So, what we HAVE accomplished is that Aidan's Law, or SB 606, has been successfully introduced by its original author (Sen. Dinniman) and referred to the Senate Education Committee. It will continue the process of being considered to ultimately become a Pennsylvania law. Without your efforts, our proposed legislation would have already been squashed, and we'd have to start at square one. Which is a tiny, overcrowded, competitive little square, so we'd rather not go back there...
At this point, SB 606 is being considered by the Senate Education Committee for review. The senators on the committee will study it, research it, and will soon vote on it. If they vote "yes," we keep moving ahead, and SB 606 goes to the full Senate floor. If they vote "no," then we're done. Totally done. And Aidan's Law has no hope of getting passed.
(I need a review of whether or not the committee needs a quorum-- ha! aren't you impressed that I remembered that word??? although I probably didn't use it correctly-- or a majority, or just the coolest people to vote 'for' the bill in order to move it to the floor. Will consult my beloved.)
If SB 606 gets to the full Senate floor, it needs to be voted for again by the entire Senate. If passed, it goes to the House of Representatives, and much of the process is repeated. If it's not passed, we're done. Totally done.
WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW: Regardless of which/whose senatorial district you live in, PLEASE CALL, EMAIL, or WRITE ANY OR ALL (all would be optimal, of course) SENATORS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, particularly Mr. Folmer, the majority chair of the committee. Click here to view the Education Committee homepage; click any name to reveal his contact information.
THIS STEP IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE LAST-- signing the petition and calling your local senators is what got us IN the committee-- now we need to get ON the full Senate floor.
Two minutes, maybe ten, to ensure that you've done your part at this juncture to better protect kids' hearts in PA-- inaction at this point could negate the efforts you've already taken. PLEASE CONTACT THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TODAY!!!
We have no word on when they will be voting on Aidan's Law/ SB 606. We'll keep you updated.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Christy
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
SB 606: Aidan's Law for AEDs in PA Schools
There it is, everyone! There it is.
Aidan's Law for AEDs in Schools is officially Senate Bill 606.
Senator Dinniman introduced our legislation to the Pennsylvania Senate yesterday, and it was well-enough received to be referred into committee. We're now awaiting word of which committee SB 606 will be assigned to.
When officially assigned a committee, we will be able to view SB 606 via this link:
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/index.cfm (and enter SB606 in the "Find Legislation By" box)
A HUGE first step!!!!! CONGRATS to all who have had a hand in getting us here!!!
Oh-- and we're just 21 signatures shy of 2,500 on the petition-- can we close out the day at 2,500???
Petition Link:
http://www.change.org/petitions/pa-residents-call-pa-senators-to-co-sponsor-aidan-s-law-keeping-aed-s-in-our-schools?utm_source=guides&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_created#
Have a great weekend, PA!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
IT'S TIME!!!
TODAY'S THE DAY!!!
SENATOR DINNIMAN WILL BE INTRODUCING OUR AED BILL, AIDAN'S LAW, INTO THE PENNSYLVANIA SENATE TODAY!!!!
And you, awesome supporters, have brought on FOUR MORE SENATORS to co-sponsor the bill, bringing the total number, including Senator Dinniman, to SEVENTEEN!!!
Our gratitude goes out to every single person who has signed our petition, made a phonecall to his or her senator, and spread word in support of requiring AEDs in public schools in PA. You are doing it!!!! This is going to happen!!!!
Our new co-sponsors are:
Senator Stewart Greenleaf (R-12): Parts of Montgomery and Bucks counties
Senator Leanna Washington (D-4): Parts of Philadelphia and Montgomery counties
Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-2): Philadelphia (city and county)
Senator Tim Solobay (D-46): All of Greene county and parts of Washington and Westmoreland counties
That's 17 out of Pennsylvania's 50 senatorial districts!!! HUGE!!!!!
Check 'em out: 1, 2, 4, 11, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 26, 32, 36, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46
 |
| Click on map to view original source |
WE'LL KEEP YOU POSTED AS SOON AS WE GET WORD!!!!
Friday, February 22, 2013
13 PA Senators Join Efforts for Aidan's Law!
In past blog entries, I've referred to Aidan as an "angel in the outfield," working in ways we don't understand to help us find a way to get through his loss and still keep his sweet spirit among us. This week, we've been overwhelmed by the swiftness and enormity of the support that you, Aidan's 'teammates', have leveraged in order to build a growing coalition of Pennsylvania State Senators in advocating for heart-safe schools for all of our kids.
We know that many of your are working quietly on our behalf, taking time from your hectic schedules to help make this happen. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. You have no idea. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. THANK YOU.
Your efforts have compelled three more senators to sign on in the last two days:
Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36th District): Lancaster County
Sen. Jay Costa (D- 43rd District): Pittsburgh Area
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- 42nd District): Pittsburgh Area
This brings the total number of co-sponsoring senators, not including our bill's authoring Sen. Andy Dinniman, to TWELVE!!!!
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
And Happy Friday :)
Christy
We know that many of your are working quietly on our behalf, taking time from your hectic schedules to help make this happen. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. You have no idea. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. THANK YOU.
Your efforts have compelled three more senators to sign on in the last two days:
Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36th District): Lancaster County
Sen. Jay Costa (D- 43rd District): Pittsburgh Area
Sen. Wayne Fontana (D- 42nd District): Pittsburgh Area
This brings the total number of co-sponsoring senators, not including our bill's authoring Sen. Andy Dinniman, to TWELVE!!!!
Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
And Happy Friday :)
Christy
More Front Page News!
Please check out the front page of today's ExtonDOES online news publication:
http://www.extondoes.com/
Special thanks to Karin Petroll and Moxie Moms for spreading the word!
http://www.extondoes.com/
Special thanks to Karin Petroll and Moxie Moms for spreading the word!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
More Press! Thank you, CoatesvilleDoes!
This was published today in our neighboring township!
http://www.coatesvilledoes.com/aeds-in-schools-help-aidans-law/
Many thanks for spreading the word and encouraging people to support Aidan's Law!
Latest count: 2,375 signatures on our petition :)
Please keep it going-- the numbers MATTER, as do the phone calls to the senators!!!
Find your senator: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address
http://www.coatesvilledoes.com/aeds-in-schools-help-aidans-law/
Many thanks for spreading the word and encouraging people to support Aidan's Law!
Latest count: 2,375 signatures on our petition :)
Please keep it going-- the numbers MATTER, as do the phone calls to the senators!!!
Find your senator: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/#address
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
And Here's the Audio (KYW Interview)
Steve did great!!!! This clip was featured in the morning rush hour spots earlier today-- we're grateful to Michelle for taking an interest in our story!
Listen by clicking here.
Listen by clicking here.
We've Got TEN!!! (Senators!) and Nearly 2,500 Signatures!
GREAT WORK, everyone!!! You're making a HUGE DIFFERENCE!!! We've started reporting the numbers of signers per jurisdiction to several senators, and when we've called their offices, they're responding, "Yep, we know about Aidan's Law!" Awesome, awesome, awesome job!!!!! THANK YOU for signing and calling!!!
This afternoon we learned that Senator Daylin Leach (D-17th District-- parts of Delaware and Montgomery Counties) has signed on as a co-sponsor!!!
Earlier today, Senator Jim Brewster (D- 45th District-- parts of Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties) signed on!
Yesterday, Senator Ted Erickson (R-26th District-- parts of Delaware and Chester Counties) agreed to co-sponsor our bill!
Add them to those that signed on earlier, as well as our original co-sponsors, Sen Andy Dinniman and Sen. John Rafferty, and we've got 20% of the PA Senate advocating for Aidan's Law! SO exciting!!!
Our original co-sponsors:
Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19th District)
We're learning more about the process. In the next few days to week or so, Senator Dinniman will introduce our bill into the Senate for committee vote. This is where it will be determined whether Aidan's Law is squashed, or (what's becoming more likely with more co-signees) will be voted onto the Senate floor for consideration. AAAAAGH!!!! This could really happen!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN HELPING TO KEEP KIDS' HEARTS SAFE IN SCHOOLS!!!!!
Keep it going in spreading the word about the petition and calling senators!!!! Click here for more information!!!
This afternoon we learned that Senator Daylin Leach (D-17th District-- parts of Delaware and Montgomery Counties) has signed on as a co-sponsor!!!
Earlier today, Senator Jim Brewster (D- 45th District-- parts of Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties) signed on!
Yesterday, Senator Ted Erickson (R-26th District-- parts of Delaware and Chester Counties) agreed to co-sponsor our bill!
Add them to those that signed on earlier, as well as our original co-sponsors, Sen Andy Dinniman and Sen. John Rafferty, and we've got 20% of the PA Senate advocating for Aidan's Law! SO exciting!!!
Our original co-sponsors:
Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19th District)
We're learning more about the process. In the next few days to week or so, Senator Dinniman will introduce our bill into the Senate for committee vote. This is where it will be determined whether Aidan's Law is squashed, or (what's becoming more likely with more co-signees) will be voted onto the Senate floor for consideration. AAAAAGH!!!! This could really happen!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN HELPING TO KEEP KIDS' HEARTS SAFE IN SCHOOLS!!!!!
Keep it going in spreading the word about the petition and calling senators!!!! Click here for more information!!!
Legislation Aims To Give Life To Defibrillators In Public Schools « CBS Philly
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A bill is being introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate that would require an automated external defibrillator in all public school buildings in the Keystone state.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A bill is being introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate that would require an automated external defibrillator in all public school buildings in the Keystone state.
It’s a result of the hard work and grass-roots effort of a Chester County son whose seven-year old son died of sudden cardiac arrest in September, 2010.
Steven Silva is Aidan’s father, and he says this bill will go hand in hand with the law that requires that all student athletes (read more...)
Steven Silva is Aidan’s father, and he says this bill will go hand in hand with the law that requires that all student athletes (read more...)
Legislation Aims To Give Life To Defibrillators In Public Schools « CBS Philly
Filed under
Heard On, Local, LOCATION, News, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Politics, Syndicated Local, Watch + Listen
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Update: Another Co-Signer and KYW News
Steve, here. Your efforts are paying off!!!!! We received word that an 8th senator, Senator Ted Erickson from Delaware and Chester Counties agreed to co-sign Aidan's Law! We're thrilled to partner with Senator Erickson and value his support.
We also got a call from Michelle Durham from KYW news radio, who said she was touched by our story and wants to help us spread the word! Michelle interviewed me and Senator Dinniman, our primary sponsor of Aidan's Law, and the story will air during tomorrow morning's commute! Make sure you listen two, three, four times a day........
If you have not done so already, keep calling your state senator and encourage her or him to co-sign Aidan's Law for AEDs in schools. Senator Erickson made the comment that whatever we're doing is working, because his phones were ringing off the hook. He was impressed. Let's impress a few more.
Love to all.
We also got a call from Michelle Durham from KYW news radio, who said she was touched by our story and wants to help us spread the word! Michelle interviewed me and Senator Dinniman, our primary sponsor of Aidan's Law, and the story will air during tomorrow morning's commute! Make sure you listen two, three, four times a day........
If you have not done so already, keep calling your state senator and encourage her or him to co-sign Aidan's Law for AEDs in schools. Senator Erickson made the comment that whatever we're doing is working, because his phones were ringing off the hook. He was impressed. Let's impress a few more.
Love to all.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
Local Student Saved by AED
Blair was at a school not 15 miles from us when she had her SCA this past September, almost exactly two years later to the day that Aidan passed from SCA. Thank
goodness for the quick response of a bystander and one of the 6 AEDs the
school had purchased a few years ago, "just in case". She is alive
(and doing well) today because of these actions. Three weeks ago, I met
her, and hugged her, and she's doing great :) Click here for her story.
Student Who Died, Then Was Revived, Speaks from the Heart
More Proof That AEDs in School Make a Difference Between Life and Death...
We get these updates from Parent Heart Watch daily. I don't post them frequently, because most stories end in tragedy. What usually happens is someone didn't recognize the signs of Sudden Cardiac Arrest, or there wasn't one available, or the school actually had one but it was locked up. And though we're addressing the availability of AEDs with our current legislation, our next steps have to do with training and awareness. To that end, here's a survival story that will warm your hearts and hopefully inspire you to reach out even more than you already have. And THANK YOU for your efforts :)
http://www.kens5.com/news/health/Heartbeat-NISD-valedictorian-school-nurse-linked-by-cardiac-arrest-191268011.html
http://www.kens5.com/news/health/Heartbeat-NISD-valedictorian-school-nurse-linked-by-cardiac-arrest-191268011.html
1,300 Signatures, 7 Co-Sponsoring Senators, and Counting!!!
MANY THANKS to YOU, the masses of supporters who have taken the significance of Valentine's Day to a new level by calling their senators and signing our AED in Schools petition to keep kids' hearts safe!
Nearly 33 people per hour have been signing! And your efforts have netted us SEVEN CO-SPONSORING SENATORS so far!!!
GREAT WORK, everyone!!! THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CALL YOUR SENATORS!!!!
Those that have so far agreed to co-sponsor Aidan's Law are:
(Click on their names to link to the district maps/municapality information)
Our original co-sponsors:
Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19th District)
Please continue to spread word, particularly in the other corners and in the middle of the state. The more senators that co-sign, the greater the chance our bill moves forward!
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!!
Steve and Christy
(and Aidan, Devin, and Quentin)
Nearly 33 people per hour have been signing! And your efforts have netted us SEVEN CO-SPONSORING SENATORS so far!!!
GREAT WORK, everyone!!! THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CALL YOUR SENATORS!!!!
Those that have so far agreed to co-sponsor Aidan's Law are:
(Click on their names to link to the district maps/municapality information)
Our original co-sponsors:
Sen. Andy Dinniman (D-19th District)
Please continue to spread word, particularly in the other corners and in the middle of the state. The more senators that co-sign, the greater the chance our bill moves forward!
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!!
Steve and Christy
(and Aidan, Devin, and Quentin)
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Heading to Harrisburg: Aidan's Law!
This MEMORANDUM (see below) went out to ALL SENATE MEMBERS yesterday afternoon!!! So exciting!!!
Please pass along word and ask your PA friends and family to call their senators BY FRIDAY to urge them to support or sponsor the bill!!!Also, PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION. It takes just a second. Names en masse really make a difference!!!
Sign our petition and find your senator by clicking this link:
PA Residents: Call PA Senators to co-sponsor "Aidan's Law" keeping AED's in our schools
Aidan's Law calls for mandating at least one AED per school building in the public schools across the state of Pennsylvania.
Memorandum
| Posted: | February 12, 2013 04:33 PM |
| To: | All Senate Members |
| From: | Senator Andrew Dinniman and Senator John Rafferty |
| Subject: | A bill to keep Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) in our schools |
We are calling our bill Aidan’s Law in honor of Aidan Silva, a seven-year-old Chester County resident who succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest on September 4, 2010. Aidan had no symptoms of a heart condition prior to his death.
Some of our public schools already have AED’s due to Act 4 of 2001, a one-time AED program that placed nearly 2,000 AED’s in public and private schools. Warranties on machines from this time period ended approximately seven years ago and manufacturers recently announced they will stop making replacement parts for these machines in 2014. Our bill would ensure such dated machines are replaced and that all our public schools have AED’s that are fully charged and property maintained.
Similar to Act 4 of 2001, our bill would have the Department of General Services seek bids to purchase the number of AED’s needed to ensure one for every public instructional school building in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Education would then assist public school entities in acquiring AED’s at a subsidized price.
To help the schools with the purchase of AED’s, our bill is again modeled after Act 4 of 2001 and would appropriate funding from the Tobacco Settlement Fund. Whereas Act 4 of 2001 appropriated $2.5 million to help with the purchases, our bill would appropriate $3 million.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Shamefully Overdue Updates.......
Steve here, pinch hitting for Christy. So you'll have to put up with sub-par writing, bad humor, and the occasional grammatical mistake. And then I'm going to hit you with more posts to promote upcoming events/initiatives/fundraisers, etc. You'll deal.....
If we had a dollar for every time we looked at each other and said, "We really need to update the blog," we'd be livin' the life of Reilly. But, we all know what is paved with good intentions, so we're taking a shot at getting you all caught up on the progress we've made in the last few months. History nerd that I am, I'll take you through chronologically.
"I'm Just a Bill, Yes I'm Only a Bill......."
Back on November 15th (see, I told you it's been a while), Christy, our friend Kelly Hagelauer and I met with Pennsylvania State Senator Andy Dinniman from Chester County to seek his assistance in a legislative effort to mandate AEDs in all public and private schools in Pennsylvania. Without getting too far afield, the back story is that in 2001, as part of the national tobacco settlement, Pennsylvania used part of its share of the settlement to offer AEDs to all public schools in PA. Most took the state up on their offer, but not all did. And not all those who took the AEDs actually put them out and made them available. Ugh.
Those AEDs are now 13 years old and are operating on technology that was developed 20 years ago in the mid-1990s. How many of us are using computers, cell phones, or driving cars from the mid-90s? You get the picture. The companies who made those AEDs announced that they are going to stop making parts for those older models, starting next year. Our law would make schools acquire, actually put out for availability, and maintain modern AEDS to keep our students in the state safe. New York did this almost ten years ago. New Jersey did it last year. Our turn......
Closer to Home......
Four days later, on November 19th, I met with the board of East Brandywine Youth Association (EBYA), our local rec league that offers a whole host of sports for the township's kids. Aidan played t-ball and had just started soccer with them when he passed away. Devin has played t-ball, indoor soccer and outdoor soccer with them. It's a great league, and they invited me to the board meeting to witness the arrival of six AEDs they purchased, three of which they voted that night to donate to the township so the entire public would have access to them. I informed them that their bold action inspired another local rec league to follow suit and purchase AEDs for their kids. Hopefully that trend will continue, we'll cover Chester County and move beyond - much further beyond.
Christy and I joined Paul Heinmiller of EBYA about a week later on Tuesday, November 27th to present to the township three AEDs, purchased by EBYA, and three climate-controlled boxes to be externally mounted to house the three AEDs, purchased by the 5K for Aidan J. Two of the AEDs and cases will be placed at East Brandywine Township Community Park and one will be placed at Spatola Field. These are the most utilized parks by our community, especially our young athletes. We were thrilled that the township board, our parks and rec committee, and our youth association were forward-thinking enough to do this before it happened again, and not wait for another tragedy. The story was covered by the "Daily Local," Chester County's local newspaper:
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20121203/NEWS01/121209945/family-hopes-defibrillators-will-help-prevent-a-tragedy
All Hail Penncrest High.......
Several colleagues and the officers of the Class of 2012 at Penncrest, now freshmen in college, coordinated over the fall semester to team up with the 5K for Aidan J. and purchase an AED that will be housed on the second floor of the school, where none currently exists. This is not to say that Penncrest does not take AEDs seriously. They already have four in the building, which is awesome, but they are all on the first floor. Experts say that the goal is, in the event of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), to get to an AED and back to the victim in under two mintues. If someone, God forbid, collapses on the 2nd floor at PHS, that goal will be more attainable. Thanks to my colleagues and to the Class of 2012. They are the reason why Penncrest is the best place in the world to work!
Only in Delco......
Ok, follow this spider web of connections, if you can. In early December, we got an email from a woman named Monique Dougherty. She's from Havertown, PA and told us about how her husband, Sean, passed away due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest last March, after being diagnosed with heart disease in February. Unfortunately, that's why SCA is the number one killer in America. It can happen due to a variety of causes and can be triggered by other heart ailments. Or it can come out of nowhere, like it did to Aidan. Sean was only 38 years old.
I emailed Monique back immediately and we arranged to talk that night. What started out as an awkward comparison of lost loved ones turned into an hour-long bonding session. Monique told me that Sean's friends came out of nowhere and from points distant (of course they did, Delco runs deep) to put together a fundraiser in Sean's honor. Sean has a ton of nieces and nephews whom he adored, so Monique wanted to do something to benefit kids. She heard about our organization, so she contacted us.
So here's where it starts getting wild. I asked her how she found out about us. She told me that one of her good friends from college is also one of her neighbors in Havertown. That would be Peggy Gionta, sister-in-law of Stephen, who was the best man in our wedding, best friend to me throughout high school and college, godfather to Devin, and "Silly Uncle Stephen" to our boys. I asked her where the event will be held. She said, "Where Sean went to grade school - St. Denis." I almost dropped my phone. Christy taught there for one year - of course, it was the year she was pregnant with Aidan. I played baseball with her next door neighbor in Lansdowne, where my grandparents lived for 50 years. And so on and so on.
Christy told this story to her friend Megan, with whom she bonded after a mutual friend connected them. Megan lost her son Declan last year to childhood cancer. Thus the quick bond. After hearing the story, Megan told Christy that her cousin was one of Sean's best friends growing up and one of the organizers of the fundraiser. Ridiculous.
Finally, we're telling the whole story to our 5K for Aidan J. board in January and board member and all-around go-getter Jenna Kulp gasps and announces that the contact name on the flier promoting the fundraiser is one of her husband Steve's good friends from their days in Baltimore. Again, ridiculous. If we weren't meant to join forces.......
More about the fundraiser in an upcoming post. SEAN PATRICK'S DAY, March 9th, St. Denis School, Havertown, PA. You WILL be there......!!!!
We Went to Seattle in January, But Right Before That......
We were at the airport (Christy's birthday weekend!), getting ready to board the plane to the annual Parent Heart Watch Conference in Seattle, when we received an email informing us that the state of Pennsylvania officially approved our application and we are now our own non-profit agency! We've selected the name, "Aidan's Heart Foundation," and we are in the process of filing the appropriate paperwork with the IRS so that we can achieve 501(c)3 status, which enables donations to our organization to be tax-exempt. We are able to legally accept tax-exempt donations now, though, so if you have any loose change laying around.......just saying.
Some Chowder, a Bit of Fog, and a Lot of Amazing Families......
The Parent Heart Watch Conference has become for us a bit of a family reunion. The other families are amazing, and inspire us to keep going emotionally and in our efforts. Parent Heart Watch itself is doing some amazing things; we strongly encourage you to check out their website and see for yourself. We learned a lot, cried a lot, laughed a lot. Christy kissed a fish at Pike Place Fish Market. And I presented on the process of working with PHW in terms of fundraising. It went well. People smiled politely. The local media said something about being incredibly handsome. Then I read closer and realized they were talking about the waiter.
It was two days after our return home from Seattle that we went to the AED trainings at Brandywine Wallace Elementary and the East Brandywine Fire House, which Christy posted about last week.
So there you have it - I think. All that in the midst of the holidays, work, missing Aidan like mad, busy days with a seven-year old, and sleepless nights with a two-year old. And while clearly we are making progress, and are thrilled about it, all of this takes place with a gaping whole in our souls, for Aidan is always -always- still in our every thought. The extent to which we miss him knows no bounds. But you know what helps? Check in on us. Talk about him. Let us know you're thinking about him, too. Talking about him to us won't upset us, we promise. We're already there. Nothing could be more helpful.
Love to all........
If we had a dollar for every time we looked at each other and said, "We really need to update the blog," we'd be livin' the life of Reilly. But, we all know what is paved with good intentions, so we're taking a shot at getting you all caught up on the progress we've made in the last few months. History nerd that I am, I'll take you through chronologically.
"I'm Just a Bill, Yes I'm Only a Bill......."
Back on November 15th (see, I told you it's been a while), Christy, our friend Kelly Hagelauer and I met with Pennsylvania State Senator Andy Dinniman from Chester County to seek his assistance in a legislative effort to mandate AEDs in all public and private schools in Pennsylvania. Without getting too far afield, the back story is that in 2001, as part of the national tobacco settlement, Pennsylvania used part of its share of the settlement to offer AEDs to all public schools in PA. Most took the state up on their offer, but not all did. And not all those who took the AEDs actually put them out and made them available. Ugh.
Those AEDs are now 13 years old and are operating on technology that was developed 20 years ago in the mid-1990s. How many of us are using computers, cell phones, or driving cars from the mid-90s? You get the picture. The companies who made those AEDs announced that they are going to stop making parts for those older models, starting next year. Our law would make schools acquire, actually put out for availability, and maintain modern AEDS to keep our students in the state safe. New York did this almost ten years ago. New Jersey did it last year. Our turn......
Closer to Home......
Four days later, on November 19th, I met with the board of East Brandywine Youth Association (EBYA), our local rec league that offers a whole host of sports for the township's kids. Aidan played t-ball and had just started soccer with them when he passed away. Devin has played t-ball, indoor soccer and outdoor soccer with them. It's a great league, and they invited me to the board meeting to witness the arrival of six AEDs they purchased, three of which they voted that night to donate to the township so the entire public would have access to them. I informed them that their bold action inspired another local rec league to follow suit and purchase AEDs for their kids. Hopefully that trend will continue, we'll cover Chester County and move beyond - much further beyond.
Christy and I joined Paul Heinmiller of EBYA about a week later on Tuesday, November 27th to present to the township three AEDs, purchased by EBYA, and three climate-controlled boxes to be externally mounted to house the three AEDs, purchased by the 5K for Aidan J. Two of the AEDs and cases will be placed at East Brandywine Township Community Park and one will be placed at Spatola Field. These are the most utilized parks by our community, especially our young athletes. We were thrilled that the township board, our parks and rec committee, and our youth association were forward-thinking enough to do this before it happened again, and not wait for another tragedy. The story was covered by the "Daily Local," Chester County's local newspaper:
http://www.dailylocal.com/article/20121203/NEWS01/121209945/family-hopes-defibrillators-will-help-prevent-a-tragedy
All Hail Penncrest High.......
Several colleagues and the officers of the Class of 2012 at Penncrest, now freshmen in college, coordinated over the fall semester to team up with the 5K for Aidan J. and purchase an AED that will be housed on the second floor of the school, where none currently exists. This is not to say that Penncrest does not take AEDs seriously. They already have four in the building, which is awesome, but they are all on the first floor. Experts say that the goal is, in the event of a Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), to get to an AED and back to the victim in under two mintues. If someone, God forbid, collapses on the 2nd floor at PHS, that goal will be more attainable. Thanks to my colleagues and to the Class of 2012. They are the reason why Penncrest is the best place in the world to work!
Only in Delco......
Ok, follow this spider web of connections, if you can. In early December, we got an email from a woman named Monique Dougherty. She's from Havertown, PA and told us about how her husband, Sean, passed away due to Sudden Cardiac Arrest last March, after being diagnosed with heart disease in February. Unfortunately, that's why SCA is the number one killer in America. It can happen due to a variety of causes and can be triggered by other heart ailments. Or it can come out of nowhere, like it did to Aidan. Sean was only 38 years old.
I emailed Monique back immediately and we arranged to talk that night. What started out as an awkward comparison of lost loved ones turned into an hour-long bonding session. Monique told me that Sean's friends came out of nowhere and from points distant (of course they did, Delco runs deep) to put together a fundraiser in Sean's honor. Sean has a ton of nieces and nephews whom he adored, so Monique wanted to do something to benefit kids. She heard about our organization, so she contacted us.
So here's where it starts getting wild. I asked her how she found out about us. She told me that one of her good friends from college is also one of her neighbors in Havertown. That would be Peggy Gionta, sister-in-law of Stephen, who was the best man in our wedding, best friend to me throughout high school and college, godfather to Devin, and "Silly Uncle Stephen" to our boys. I asked her where the event will be held. She said, "Where Sean went to grade school - St. Denis." I almost dropped my phone. Christy taught there for one year - of course, it was the year she was pregnant with Aidan. I played baseball with her next door neighbor in Lansdowne, where my grandparents lived for 50 years. And so on and so on.
Christy told this story to her friend Megan, with whom she bonded after a mutual friend connected them. Megan lost her son Declan last year to childhood cancer. Thus the quick bond. After hearing the story, Megan told Christy that her cousin was one of Sean's best friends growing up and one of the organizers of the fundraiser. Ridiculous.
Finally, we're telling the whole story to our 5K for Aidan J. board in January and board member and all-around go-getter Jenna Kulp gasps and announces that the contact name on the flier promoting the fundraiser is one of her husband Steve's good friends from their days in Baltimore. Again, ridiculous. If we weren't meant to join forces.......
More about the fundraiser in an upcoming post. SEAN PATRICK'S DAY, March 9th, St. Denis School, Havertown, PA. You WILL be there......!!!!
We Went to Seattle in January, But Right Before That......
We were at the airport (Christy's birthday weekend!), getting ready to board the plane to the annual Parent Heart Watch Conference in Seattle, when we received an email informing us that the state of Pennsylvania officially approved our application and we are now our own non-profit agency! We've selected the name, "Aidan's Heart Foundation," and we are in the process of filing the appropriate paperwork with the IRS so that we can achieve 501(c)3 status, which enables donations to our organization to be tax-exempt. We are able to legally accept tax-exempt donations now, though, so if you have any loose change laying around.......just saying.
Some Chowder, a Bit of Fog, and a Lot of Amazing Families......
The Parent Heart Watch Conference has become for us a bit of a family reunion. The other families are amazing, and inspire us to keep going emotionally and in our efforts. Parent Heart Watch itself is doing some amazing things; we strongly encourage you to check out their website and see for yourself. We learned a lot, cried a lot, laughed a lot. Christy kissed a fish at Pike Place Fish Market. And I presented on the process of working with PHW in terms of fundraising. It went well. People smiled politely. The local media said something about being incredibly handsome. Then I read closer and realized they were talking about the waiter.
It was two days after our return home from Seattle that we went to the AED trainings at Brandywine Wallace Elementary and the East Brandywine Fire House, which Christy posted about last week.
So there you have it - I think. All that in the midst of the holidays, work, missing Aidan like mad, busy days with a seven-year old, and sleepless nights with a two-year old. And while clearly we are making progress, and are thrilled about it, all of this takes place with a gaping whole in our souls, for Aidan is always -always- still in our every thought. The extent to which we miss him knows no bounds. But you know what helps? Check in on us. Talk about him. Let us know you're thinking about him, too. Talking about him to us won't upset us, we promise. We're already there. Nothing could be more helpful.
Love to all........
Friday, February 1, 2013
Your 5K for Aidan J. Donations Help Equip First Responders with an AED
Thanks to your support through our 5K for Aidan J. run/walk event, we were able to donate an AED to East Brandywine Fire Company for their new emergency vehicle. EBFC was first to the scene the day that Aidan had his sudden cardiac arrest. We've become quite close with them in the past two years.
Steve and Chip Miller, our Cardiac Science AED representative, trained the East Brandywine Youth Athletic league head coaches the night we made the donation of the AED. Please see this article for more information...
On the evening of Wednesday January 23rd East Brandywine Fire Company received a very special donation.
Fire Chief John Edwards, accepted an AED on behalf of the Company donated by Steve and Christy Silva to be placed in the Command Vehicle.
Steve and Christy have made it their mission to increase the number of AED's in the community to specifically be used in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, with a special emphasis on pediatrics.
You may wonder why this mission is so important to Steve and Christy? They are creating a legacy for their son Aidan who passed away on September 4th 2010 at the age of 7 years old. Past Chief Joe Edwards was first on scene in the Command Vehicle and initiated CPR. At that time the Command Vehicle was not equipped with an AED [read more...]
This marks our 22nd AED installation in the Downingtown area since June 2012! Thank you for your continued support! Please save the date for our 2013 5K for Aidan J. event-- Saturday, June 15th! www.5KforAidanJ.com for more information!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Heart of the problem: Student spreads his story
ANDERSON, Ind. — The first time Drew Brantley’s heart stopped, he was dead for at least four minutes.
It was during a basketball game at his high school in Kokomo, and he collapsed on the floor.
“I was a three-sport athlete in pretty good shape, physically,” said Brantley, now a 20-year-old sophomore at Anderson University. “If it could happen to me, it could happen to anybody.”
He survived, thanks to four jolts from his school’s Automated External Defibrillator, or AED. It was the first of three times he’s needed one.
Now, Brantley uses his story to teach about the importance of AED accessibility (read more...)
It was during a basketball game at his high school in Kokomo, and he collapsed on the floor.
“I was a three-sport athlete in pretty good shape, physically,” said Brantley, now a 20-year-old sophomore at Anderson University. “If it could happen to me, it could happen to anybody.”
He survived, thanks to four jolts from his school’s Automated External Defibrillator, or AED. It was the first of three times he’s needed one.
Now, Brantley uses his story to teach about the importance of AED accessibility (read more...)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)