Susan Garofalo’s husband, Arthur, suffered sudden cardiac arrest while working out in a gym three years ago. An automated external defibrillator there was used to save his life.

That sent Garofalo on a mission: to get AEDs into schools and other public places. Thanks to her efforts, and that of a local beauty salon, the staff at Fisk Elementary School has a new AED in their building.

“They’re good to have anywhere,” said Cindy Dimario, the school’s nurse, when Garofalo officially presented the AED on Thursday, May 8. “I hope we never have to use it, but it’s nice to know we have it if we need to use it.”

An AED is a portable electronic device that can establish an effective rhythm to a person’s heart. Had an AED not been available at the gym where Arthur collapsed, he would not have survived.

“This thing saved his life,” said Garofalo, who lives in Weston, Mass. “He never would have made it – no way.”

Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States and is responsible for approximately 325,000 deaths each year, according to the Heart Rhythm Foundation.

Since her husband survived his cardiac arrest, the couple have purchased and donated about 25 AEDS to libraries, schools, colleges and a Little League ball field.

Now, Susan combines her love of designing sterling silver jewelry with their mission to get AEDs into as many public places as possible. She is using sales of her HeartStrings’ Jewelry to buy them.

“This is my mission – to get them in schools, in (community) centers,” she said.

Leslie Stratos, the co-owner of Salon Grazie in Salem, displayed and sold Garofalo’s unique designs in her business. Money from sales, combined with money from sales to other HeartStrings’ Jewelry customers, was used to purchase the AED for Fisk School.

The device, the first one purchased with jewelry sales proceeds, cost approximately $1,800.

When applied to a victim, an AED diagnoses the heart rhythm and determines if a shock is needed. The device is designed to be easy to use.

“It walks you through it, so there’s nothing to be afraid of,” said Dimario.