Professional Quarterback Matt Leinart Teams Up with American Red Cross to Promote CPR/AED Awareness

Heisman Trophy Winner and 2008 Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet Member Demonstrates Training

WASHINGTON, Monday, March 10, 2008 — Arizona Cardinals Quarterback and American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet Member, Matt Leinart, hosted a press conference Monday, March 10, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. PST, calling for the nation's attention to the importance of knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED (automated external defibrillator.)

Matt Leinart (left) trains for his CPR/AED certification with Red Cross instructor Pete Hernandez (right)

During the press conference, held at the Silver Screen Theater located at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, Leinart, along with members of the American Red Cross, gave a CPR/AED demonstration in order to illustrate how simple it is to perform CPR and use an AED. Nearly everyone is capable of learning to save a life.

"It's great to have this opportunity to educate the country on how important it is for all of us to know what to do in case of an emergency," said Leinart. "I have a very demanding schedule, yet I felt it was important for me to take the time to become trained and certified in CPR/AED in case my loved ones and others around me ever needed my help."

Each year approximately 325,000 Americans suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. Tragically, more than 95 percent of sudden cardiac victims die before reaching the hospital. Every minute counts. Each minute defibrillation is delayed reduces a person's chance of survival by about 10 percent.

In his role as a 2008 Celebrity Cabinet member, Leinart will volunteer his time with the Red Cross helping to bring attention to the number of lives that can be saved each year if more people become trained and certified in CPR/AED and other lifesaving skills.

Larry Paul, American Red Cross Board of Governors member in attendance, stated "The National Celebrity Cabinet plays a tremendous role in giving visibility and credibility to the lifesaving work of the Red Cross. We are proud to call upon them as volunteers."

The press conference is an important prelude of events the Red Cross is planning in recognition of the first "National Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Awareness Week". During the first week of June, the Red Cross has set a goal to reach 250,000 people nationwide with lifesaving CPR and AED information and training.

The Red Cross recommends that at least one person in every household and office is trained in first aid and CPR/AED. Enrolling in a CPR/AED course provides the confidence to respond during an emergency situation with skills that can save a life.

For more information on CPR/AED and other safety training, contact your local Red Cross chapter or log on to www.redcross.org.

***Editor's note: If you would like to request press credentials for the press conference, contact Sandy Friedman at (310) 854-8109 / sfiedman@rogersandcowan.com. Sound bites will be available at conclusion of the press conference.

Contacts:
American Red Cross
Pamela King, National Headquarters
Phone: (202) 303-4436
kingpam@usa.redcross.org

Nicholas Samaniego, Greater Los Angeles Chapter
Phone: (310) 445-2653
samaniegon@arcla.org

Rogers & Cowan

Sandy Friedman
Phone: (310) 854-8109
sfriedman@rogersandcowan.com

Matt Wolfe
Phone: (310) 854-8279
mwolf@rogersandcowan.com

Amanda Rafter
Phone: (310) 854-8320
arafter@rogersandcowan.com

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.