Media Contacts:
Melissa Duplantier, American Red Cross Louisiana
504-881-9090 | Melissa.Duplantier2@redcross.org

Sasha Bourne, St. Mary’s Academy
504-245-0200 (Ext. 103) | SBourne@smano.org

[NEW ORLEANS, La.] April 24, 2026  — When a heart stops without warning, the difference between life and death often comes down to one question: Is there someone nearby who knows what to do? The American Red Cross Louisiana Region is working to make sure the answer at St. Mary’s Academy (SMA) is always yes.

The Red Cross recently presented the historic New Orleans school with an automated external defibrillator (AED) a portable, easy-to-use device capable of restoring a normal heart rhythm during sudden cardiac arrest. The donation comes paired with a commitment to train St. Mary’s Academy staff and students in CPR and AED use, giving the school community the skills to act in the critical minutes before emergency responders can arrive.

A crisis hidden in plain sight
The numbers are stark. Each year, nearly 600,000 Americans suffer sudden cardiac arrest, a medical emergency in which the heart abruptly stops beating. Outside of a hospital, fewer than 6 percent of those people survive.

"At the American Red Cross, we believe that no one should feel helpless in a crisis. While we empower communities with CPR training, a life-saving tool like an AED can turns a bystander into a lifesaver," said Kenneth St. Charles, CEO of the American Red Cross Louisiana Region. "This device is a safety net for every student, educator, and family member who enters this campus. AEDs save lives, and today, St. Mary’s Academy is safer because of it."

Training that saves lives
Along with the donation, the Red Cross is providing hands-on training to St. Mary’s Academy staff and students in CPR and AED operation ensuring that they feel comfortable using the device when it’s needed most.

“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and the broader SMA community remain our highest priority at St. Mary’s Academy,” said Pamela M. Rogers, President/Head of School. “For many of our young ladies, SMA is more than a school; it is a place where they feel a deep sense of security, support, and belonging. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be considered a safe space away from home. We are deeply grateful to the American Red Cross Louisiana Region for this generous AED donation, which strengthens our ability to care for one another. While we hope it is never needed, its presence, along with future training opportunities, empowers our community with the confidence that we are prepared to respond in moments that matter most.”

What Is an AED and why does It matter?
An AED is a compact medical device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm and, if necessary, delivers an electric shock to restore a normal beat. Designed for everyday bystanders, not just medical professionals. Modern AEDs guide users through each step with clear voice prompts. No prior training is required to operate one, though training significantly improves confidence and response time.

That matters enormously, because time is everything in a cardiac emergency. For every minute that passes without defibrillation, a person’s chance of survival drops by roughly 10 percent. Most emergency medical services take four to six minutes to arrive on scene. In those early minutes, a bystander with AED and CPR training can be the only thing standing between a victim and death.

Red Cross CPR and AED courses are designed for real people in real situations. Participants learn to recognize cardiac arrest, perform chest compressions, deliver rescue breaths, and operate an AED all in a matter of hours. The training is practical, confidence-building, and increasingly accessible, with courses offered in communities across Louisiana. A course taken on a Saturday morning could mean a life saved on a Tuesday afternoon.

How to Get Trained
The American Red Cross offers CPR, AED, and first aid training across Louisiana year-round. Classes are available for individuals, schools, businesses, and community organizations. Certification typically takes just a few hours and is valid for two years.
To find a course near you or to inquire about bringing Red Cross training to your school or organization, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

About St. Mary’s Academy
St. Mary’s Academy is a private Catholic all-girl high school and co-educational elementary and middle school, founded by the Sisters of the Holy Family in 1867 in New Orleans. In a family-oriented environment, St. Mary’s is committed to educating the whole student. Students are taught to think critically, serve, and act responsibly in a global society. For more information, visit www.smaneworleans.com

About the American Red Cross Louisiana Region
The American Red Cross Louisiana Region provides disaster relief, health and safety training, and support to military members and their families throughout the state. As part of the nation’s largest humanitarian organization, the Louisiana Region responds to hundreds of local disasters each year and trains thousands of Louisianians in lifesaving skills. For more information, visit redcross.org/louisiana.