U-High fundraiser to raise money for AED machine purchases

Posted on February 15, 2017

Kai Bates-Diop is recovering after collapsing in practice last week. (Photo courtesy U-High)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – University High School is launching fundraiser to help set up a fund to purchase AED machines at schools that might not have them.

The idea comes from the parents of U-High basketball player Kai Bates-Diop, whose life was saved by the use of an AED machine and CPR after he collapsed in practice last week.

“We’ve come up with some t-shirts that both our girls and boys basketball teams wore last night (Tuesday), just to publicize it,” U-High Athletic Director Wendy Smith said.

The t-shirts will be $10 each and officially go on sale Friday. Smith said they plan to sell the shirts at least through Feb. 24.

“What’s happening with Kai, I mean it’s a miracle that he’s alive,” said Smith. “The fact that we had people right there that were trained in CPR and we had the AED available, I mean there is no question in anybody’s mind that that’s what saved him.”

Smith said U-High has already heard from people in Palatine and Tinley Park who are interested in joining the cause.

The school is looking to set up a special link on its website to sell the shirts, but for now Smith said to contact the school at 309-438-7373.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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