Building a heart-safe community in Wesson

By Guest Columnist Dr. Stephanie Duguid

Every day, thousands of lives are lost to sudden cardiac arrest, but many of those lives could be saved with one simple skill: CPR. According to the American Heart Association, nearly 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home.

That means the life you save is most likely that of a loved one. This reality underscores the importance of CPR education.

It is not just for healthcare professionals. Anyone can learn it, and everyone should. A trained bystander can mean the difference between tragedy and survival. That’s why Do Good Pro Health, a CPR training company, is offering two unique opportunities this fall for the Wesson community -- one designed to help anyone gain confidence in lifesaving action, and a second designed to equip future instructors who want to multiply that impact.

▪ On Thursday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m., Grace Foam Solutions will host a hands-on Community CPR class. This class is open to the public and perfect for parents, teachers, coaches, and community members who want to be prepared. Location: Grace Foam Solutions. Cost: $40 per person (use promo code COM50 for discount). Space is limited. So early registration is encouraged. Participants will leave with the knowledge and skills to respond confidently in an emergency, whether at home, at school or on the ball field.

▪ For those ready to step further into leadership, the CPR Instructor Course will be offered on Friday, November 8, in Wesson. Becoming an instructor allows you to teach others and extend the ripple effect of lifesaving skills throughout the community. You must have Basic Life Support (Advanced) Certification in order to take this course. To learn more and determine if you qualify, call Dr. Stephanie Duguid at 601-669-6784. This class is ideal for educators, trainers or anyone looking to make a bigger impact by helping others gain lifesaving confidence.

The chain of survival -- the process that gives cardiac arrest victims the best chance at recovery -- begins with a bystander. Immediate CPR can double or triple survival rates, but too often, hesitation or lack of training keeps people from stepping in. By taking a community class, you prepare yourself to act. By becoming an instructor, you help prepare dozens, even hundreds, of others. Both roles are essential, and both strengthen the safety net that protects families, schools, and neighborhoods.

Imagine being the one who can save a life. Imagine knowing your family, your students, or your teammates are safer because of the skills you gained. These classes are about more than checking a box -- they’re about building confidence, leadership, and resilience in moments that matter most.

Consider joining us for one of these sessions. Whether you’re stepping up for the first time in October’s community class, or stepping forward to lead in November’s instructor course, you are taking action that could change everything for someone in need.

Let’s make Wesson a heart-safe community -- one class, one person, one heartbeat at a time.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Stephanie Duguid is owner of Do Good ProHealth (CPR Classes) and Do Good Leadership (motivational speaking, and leadership and success coaching). She is also a Mississippi Health Ambassado