Memory lanterns on sale in Scandinavia

By Holly Neumann

Silver Lake Lanes is raising funds to add life-saving automated external defibrillators in area businesses throughout the Iola and Scandinavia area.

According to the American Heart Association, an AED is a lightweight, portable device that delivers an electric shock through the chest to the heart.

The shock can potentially stop an irregular heartbeat and allow a normal rhythm to resume following sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs after the heart malfunctions and stops beating unexpectedly. It quickly leads to death if not treated within minutes.

Most SCAs result from ventricular fibrillation, a rapid and unsynchronized heart rhythm that originates in the heart’s lower chambers. The heart must be “defibrillated” quickly because a victim’s chance of surviving drops by 7% to 10% for every minute a normal heartbeat isn’t restored.

Anyone wishing to help with the cause can stop at Silver Lake Lanes in Scandinavia to purchase a Memory Sky Lantern for a $20 donation and leave the name of a loved one to dedicate the lantern to. Quantities are limited and lanterns will be released at dusk on Saturday, May 28.

The Desperate Ottos will perform at Silver Lake Lanes from 8 p.m. to midnight following the lanterns’ release. The evening will also include raffles and drink specials.

“If you’re unable to make it, we will have volunteers releasing the lanterns,” organizer Sherry Kielblock said.

Funds raised will be used to purchase as many defibrillators as possible. Each device costs an estimated $1,500.