H-D student raises $1,700 to save lives

Hillsboro-Deering High School student Tucker Cutter single-handedly raised over $1,700 to provide the school district with two portable defibrillators. He presented the check to the district at the school board meeting on Monday.School board chairman Paul Plater accepts a check from Tucker Cutter for defibrillators. (Michael Pon photo)

The defibrillators cost between $750 and $800.

Although the district has a defibrillator in each of its three schools, Cutter feels accessibility to them is an issue.

“There were other defibrillators, but we didn’t have ones to carry around on the sports fields, and if someone’s heart stopped we wouldn’t have time to get them,” Cutter said. “So I wanted to get ones that could be transported with us and have in case of an emergency on the sports fields.”

Coincidentally, High School Nurse Candice Garvin was writing a grant for one defibrillator and funding for training. Garvin and Cutter agree that all the defibrillators should be the same exact type, so all those trained to use them will have the same sort of training.

Although Cutter has never been at the scene when a defibrillator has been used, he was inspired to raise money for this cause after hearing of two sports-related incidents.

“One incident was in a football game where a kid got hit in the chest with a helmet and his heart stopped. Another one was when an athlete was hit in the chest with a lacrosse ball,” Cutter explained.

This combination of efforts will provide the school with three portable defibrillators, which may be brought along when teams play at other schools. Also, the defibrillators may be made available at town meetings, concerts and other events that take place at the school.

“I think it’s fabulous that you’ve thrown yourself into this. I commend you for taking this on,” said Superintendent Dr. Barbara Baker.

“As one of the leading candidates for the use of these, I thank you,” chairman of the school board, Paul Plater, said lightheartedly.

Cutter began his campaign by making up a list of those who he though might be interested in donating. He then put a release in the newspapers and sent out request letters by email.

“I want to thank everyone who donated and made it possible to raise the money,” Cutter said. “One guy even donated $500.”