KEVS Foundation Supports CHD Program

SPRINGFIELD — Susan Canning and representatives of KEVS Foundation presented a check recently to Nancy Bazanchuk, Disability Resources Program director for the Center for Human Development (CHD), and Jim Goodwin, CHD president.

Canning is director of KEVS Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in loving memory of Kevin Major, that seeks to expand awareness of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in youth and young adults. This will be the third year that KEVS Foundation is sponsoring the Junior Knights, the youth sled hockey team organized by CHD Disability Resources.

“Our goal is to educate and help prevent SCA in children and young adults,” Canning said. “Donations we receive for KEVS Foundation go to purchase automatic electronic defibrillators [AEDs] to have where children are involved, such as schools, playing fields, and ice arenas; to sponsor heart screenings; to teach CPR; and to raise awareness. KEVS Foundation facilitates free youth heart screenings, helps to provide program resources for public-access defibrillator programs, and teaches the importance of early bystander CPR/AED education and awareness in our communities. We also make donations to a variety of nonprofit programs that depend on contributions, including CHD Disability Resources.”

Added Bazanchuk, “CHD is thrilled to have the continued support of KEVS Foundation. Their sponsorship of the Junior Knights sled hockey team provides opportunities for young people to participate in a fun, athletic activity and keeps alive the legacy of her son Kevin, who, among other things, was a gifted hockey player.”