The Friends of Reading Hospital will host 120 golfers at the Annual Tower Golf Classic on Monday, August 6 at the Berkshire Country Club in Reading. This is the first time for the Berkshire Country Club to host the event, which is now in its 17th year.
Money raised by this tournament benefits HeartSAFE Berks County to help reduce the mortality rate of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims by placing automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in public areas throughout the community. SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., with close to one death every two minutes, but if an AED is accessible and a victim receives a defibrillating shock within the first few minutes after their sudden cardiac arrest, studies show that there is up to a 74 percent chance of survival.
The Chair of the 2018 Tower Golf Classic, Lil Murphy, will present a check to HeartSAFE at a cocktail reception for the conclusion of the tournament at 5:30 p.m. Also present for the check presentation will be Michael Koslow, MD, Cardiology - Tower Health Medical Group; Anthony Martin, EMS Outreach Coordinator; Anthony Tucci, Executive Director of the Western Berks Ambulance Association; and Mary Ellen Batman, President of The Friends of Reading Hospital.
Prior to the check presentation, guests will hear from Ted Brennan who will share his personal story about receiving recent AED care after collapsing while participating in a local triathlon competition. Ted will share the details about the individuals that saved his life, including Southern Berks Regional EMS who administered shocks from an AED, and the medical team at Reading Hospital who provided additional life-saving care.
The Friends of Reading Hospital have placed 559 AEDs throughout the county since its inception in 2010. For more information on HeartSAFE or obtaining or purchasing an AED at a discounted rate, email HeartSAFE@TowerHealth.org.
In case of rain, the event will be held on Monday, August 13.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.