Release
DURANT – The family of Colton Sherrill – a 10-year-old boy who died from an unknown heart defect while playing basketball in 2008 – has donated 27 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) to bolster services provided by its new fleet of mobile wellness units deployed statewide.
AEDs are portable electronic devices that automatically diagnose life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, and treat them through defibrillation, the application of electricity which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.
The donation was made possible through proceeds from Colton’s Main Stret Run, an annual fundraiser created in Colton’s memory. Proceeds are used to support Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) education and proper AED use, to provide emergency equipment for use by schools and communities, and to finance higher education scholarships and community projects.
In 2020, Colton’s Main Street Run donated $25,000 to area schools to purchase personal protective equipment, AEDs and player benches for soccer fields at Durant Sports Complex.
“The Sherrill family’s very generous donation will have a use impact on the quality of service we are able to provide through the mobile units across the state,” said Juli Montgomery, a regional administrative director for OSDH. “Adding these life-saving devices to our mobile wellness units will provide an extra level of public safety and protection for communities and organization we visit and any event we’re invited to attend.”
The 12th Annual Colton’s Main Street Run – presented by Cardinal Glass – will take place on Saturday, Oct. 16. The run offers a Fun Run/Walk, 5K and 10K distances, and this year’s event also includes a virtual run option.
Colton’s Main Street Run is open to all ages. Registration ranges from $10-$25. Early bird registration ends Oct. 1
Visit coltonsrun.com for additional information, or call (580) 924-1550.