KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The death of a Northland man put his family on a mission to see that others have a better chance of surviving sudden cardiac arrest. Now people all over the metro do have a better chance.
Tim Henning died two years ago after his heart suddenly stopped beating at a Northland ball diamond. There was no AED or automatic external defibrillator there that might have saved his life.
“I just wanted to give other people a chance to have a life-saving opportunity,” said Denise Henning, his wife.
She and the couple’s sons started the Henning Family Foundation. A golf tourney fundraiser was held a year ago. Since then, the Hennings have placed 65 AEDs in public places in our area. Thirteen more will be placed soon. They’re at ball fields, schools, the Kansas City Zoo, and a theatre in Lawrence after a young actor suffered cardiac arrest there and survived.
A new AED is also at Morning Glory Ministries which serves the homeless and elderly in Downtown Kansas City. The ministries didn’t have one six months ago when a man collapsed outside the door.
“I had to run across the street, go through the key chain full of keys to get into the door of the church,” said Karen Miller, director of Morning Glory Ministries.
She had to do that to get an AED. Miller says having one sends an important message to the less fortunate.
“If we can save a life, then we’re conveying that message to them they’re worth it,” said Miller.
The foundation is not only providing the devices but also covering the cost of monitoring and maintenance.
“And that’s essential ’cause it doesn’t matter if you have the unit if it doesn’t work,” said Henning.
None of the AEDs provided by the foundation has had to be used so far.
“Hopefully there won’t ever be, but we’re hoping if there is, it will be a save,” said Henning.
Each AED has a plaque that reads, “Donated in Memory of Tim Henning.”
The second annual golf tournament is this Friday. The foundation is on target to raise $150,000 to go toward more AEDs and their upkeep. For more information on the Henning Family Foundation, please click on this link.
