Local foundation donates to help school staff members in high-stress positions
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., (Nov. 16, 2023) – Each school year brings lots of excitement – and stress – to everyone involved, from students and parents to the staff members and school district police officers at each school.
A special donation of 300 blood pressure kits from the Michael and Annie Falk Foundation has been delivered to district locations across Palm Beach County to ensure staff members there, including school district police officers and transportation staff, can regularly measure their blood pressure and stay healthy.
“High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke,” says Kayla Fox, executive director of the American Heart Association. “But because it often doesn’t have symptoms, many people can be at high risk for heart disease and not even know it. We’re grateful to the Michael and Annie Falk Foundation for this donation that’s allowed us to bring these kits to schools. When people can learn their numbers, they have more control over their health and can work with a health care professional to lower their blood pressure.”
The kits were presented to the School District of Palm Beach County at the end of October and will be available for police officers and transportation staff to take home or leave in their offices. The Palm Beach County School District employs about 250 school police officers and about 500 school bus drivers. The district will also connect staff members with nurses and the local YMCA for more information about measuring blood pressure and blood pressure self-management classes.
“This donation will help our team stay healthy in the long-term,” says Carlye Fabrikant, wellness coordinator for the School District of Palm Beach County. “It will also help increase awareness about high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke in a way that can help us educate our team and lower everyone’s risk for those health issues.”
The American Heart Association offers resources and education about managing blood pressure at Heart.org. Companies and individuals interested in supporting the community projects of the American Heart Association Palm Beach County can contact PBC@Heart.org.
The American Heart Association Palm Beach County serves the residents of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Staff members, volunteers and donors assist the organization in guiding efforts to reduce the incidences of heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading killers, respectively, of American men and women.
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(L to R) Captain Matthew Rogerson, Asst. Chief Regina Price, Sheree Wolliston, Carlye Fabrikant, Lt. James Schnaderbeck, Major Jack McCarthy, Asst. Chief Michael Waites
