REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 27, 2001-- The devastating impact of international terrorism is not diverting Seattle area citizens from a very different challenge to save lives in the Lake Washington and Issaquah school districts.

Seattle Mariners pitcher Arthur Rhodes and his wife, Leah, have donated more than 30 items of authentic, autographed Mariner memorabilia to be auctioned in support of an ongoing campaign to provide automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the 19 middle and high schools in the two districts. This campaign was started in response to the tragic loss of several young people who had experienced sudden cardiac arrest while involved with school-related activities.

A live auction will be held in the Redmond Town Center Plaza at noon on October 13, coinciding with a Safety Fair featuring demonstrations by the Redmond Fire and Police Departments. The auction and fair will provide an opportunity for area residents to thank departmental personnel for their community service as well as to support efforts by Redmond Town Center, the Rotary Clubs of Issaquah, and Redmond Rousers and www.HeartSafeSchools.org to place lifesaving defibrillators in the schools.

Auction attendees will have the opportunity to bid on jerseys, jackets, balls and bats autographed by several Mariner players and coaches, including Lou Pinella. Even past players such as Ricky Henderson, and Trevor Hoffman (now with the San Diego Padres), are represented among items available for bidding. Display plaques and pictures of the players accompany most of the items. All items are available for viewing now, at The Auction Center at Redmond Town Center. Registration for the auction and early bids will also be taken on weekends from 12 to 4 p.m. at The Auction Center. Pre-event registration is available at a discount of $10, with day of event registration available for a $20 donation to Rotary. Kevin Scott Benedict of Peer Productions will host the live auction from Noon to 1:30pm on Saturday, October 13.

Arthur and Leah Rhodes also sponsored a Mariners autograph event in Issaquah in early August which raised more than $25,000 for the project. Fifteen Mariner players showed their support for the community by answering the call for help. The Rotary Club of Issaquah and www.HeartSafeSchools coordinated numerous business and companies in support of this initiative.

``Rotary has always been involved with, and concerned about, our students and local schools,'' Clint Merriman, of the Issaquah Rotary, said. ``We're delighted by this opportunity to join with the Mariners and our other collaborating organizations to continue our work toward the prevention of tragedy in our community.''

Five children in the Puget Sound area experienced Sudden Cardiac Arrest at school, or during school-related activities this past year. Only one, Sean Shipler, 14, Inglewood Junior High student, survived. Sean and his family continue to battle for recovery as he experienced significant medical challenges associated with the time that elapsed before he received a defibrillating shock. Placement of AEDs in schools is expected to reduce this time for any future victims.

Lake Washington and Issaquah schools have chosen to deploy LIFEPAK® defibrillators costing about $3,500 each and manufactured by Medtronic Physio-Control. The Redmond company leads the industry in the development and manufacture of AEDs, along with the more sophisticated monitors and defibrillators used by trained medical personnel on ambulances and in hospitals.

Scott Bulger, a concerned parent and founder of the website www.HeartSafeSchools.org, said, ``These efforts would not have been possible without the compassionate, generous support provided by Arthur and Leah, Rotary, and many Medtronic Physio-Control representatives.'' He noted that Medtronic Physio-Control has donated several LIFEPAK 500 units to the two school districts as a strategic enabler for the lifesaving project.

Persons unable to attend the Mariners auction can mail donations to: The Foundation of The Rotary Club of Issaquah, P.O. Box 537, Issaquah, WA 98027.

More than 40,000 AEDs have been deployed in police cars, commercial airliners, airports, hotels and casinos, sports arenas, high schools, federal buildings, manufacturing plants and other public places. American Heart Association guidelines urge wider use of defibrillators and encourage communities to adopt a goal of reaching sudden cardiac arrest victims with an AED within five minutes.

Contact:

     Redmond Rousers Rotary
     Lisa Ursino Pavitt, 425/369-8174
     or
     Issaquah Rotary
     Clint Merriman, 425/378-1857
     or
     E-mail:
     bidforlife@hotmail.com
     or
     Scott Bulger
     www.heatsafeschools.org