BCHC Donation Adds Life-Saving Equipment to Pool Area

By: Aprill Murphy

Albion, NE (May 14, 2025) – Boone County Health Center (BCHC) has donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and secure cabinet to the Boone County Fitness Center. The AED will be installed near the pool area on the facility’s lower level—clearly visible and easily accessible during a cardiac emergency.

This donation is funded through the 340B Drug Pricing Program, a federal initiative allowing eligible healthcare organizations to purchase medications at reduced rates and reinvest the savings into community health. The AED provides critical emergency support in a space frequently used by swimmers, families, and seniors.

“While a 911 phone is already available near the pool, the AED adds a vital layer of safety, enabling bystanders to respond quickly to cardiac arrest before EMS arrives,” said Melinda Johnson, Fitness Center Manager.

“Boone County Health Center is committed to enhancing community health and safety,” said Caleb Poore, BCHC President and CEO. “Placing AEDs in public spaces empowers individuals to act during emergencies.”

This donation is part of a broader BCHC effort to install AEDs in community-serving organizations across its seven-county service area. Grants are available annually to qualifying organizations—not individuals—in Antelope, Boone, Greeley, Nance, western Madison, western Platte, or Wheeler counties.

To apply for an AED donation, organizations can contact Aprill Murphy in BCHC’s Public Relations Department.