CCARES
Chicago Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Education Service
In 2011, Northwestern ED physicians Dr. George Chiampas and Dr. Amer Aldeen co-founded the Chicago Cardiac Care Resuscitative Educational Service (CCARES). The mission of CCARES is to increase survival of sudden cardiac arrest victims in Chicago by building relationships with City agencies, communities, and businesses to increase bystander CPR through education and awareness training.
When an adult has a sudden cardiac arrest, his or her survival depends greatly on immediately getting CPR from someone nearby. Unfortunately, less than 1/3 of those people who experience a cardiac arrest at home, work, or in a public location get that help.
Support
CCARES’ Hands-Only CPR initiative is supported by the following agencies:
- American Heart Association
- American Red Cross
- Bank of America
- Chicago EMS Consortium
- Chicago Fire Department
- Chicago Medical Society
- Chicago Police Department
- Illinois State Medical Society
- Northwestern University
- Region V, Health & Human Services
CCARES founders and co-directors Dr. Amer Aldeen and Dr. George Chiampas, Dr. David Loiterman, President of Chicago Medical Society, Alderman Laurino, and Robert Herskovitz, JD, Health & Human Services.
Recent Events
In February, Jerling Junior High School hosted an assembly for 450 seventh- and eighth-graders to celebrate CPR and other lifesaving techniques. Pictured below: Dr Chiampas speaking with students and a student skit illustrating CPR.
March 8, 2011 Hands-Only CPR Resolution passed at City Hall Police & Fire Hearing
A Hands-Only CPR Resolution seeking to educate Chicago first responders and the general public passed in a City Hall Police and Fire Hearing.
April 11, 2011 Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Ordinance at the Chicago City Council
The ordinance reads:
That all buildlings owned and/or operated by the City of Chicago, the Chicago Public Buildling Commission, the Chicago Public School and the Chicago Public Library be equipped with an automated external defibrillator and its location be posted in prominent places throughout said facility. This ordinance shall be in full force 30 days after its passage and publication.
