Ordinary People, Lifesaving Skills: CPR and AED Training Strengthens the Crossroads Community
5/27/2026
National CPR and AED Awareness Week is June 1 - 7, 2026
When a cardiac emergency happens, the first few minutes can mean the difference between life and death — and in many cases, the person standing nearby is the one who has the power to help save a life. During National CPR and AED Awareness Week, DeTar Healthcare System is highlighting the importance of lifesaving education and community preparedness through free Hands-Only CPR and AED training offered throughout the year across Victoria and the Crossroads region.
Through these educational sessions, nurses Jolene Balboa, R.N., director of cardiovascular services, and Karen Evans, R.N., stroke & chest pain coordinator, are helping local churches, businesses and community organizations gain the confidence and practical skills needed to respond during critical moments before first responders arrive. DeTar is proud of its accreditation by the American College of Cardiology for Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation.
Throughout the year, Balboa and Evans travel throughout the Crossroads area providing free heart and stroke awareness education sessions designed to help community members recognize and respond to medical emergencies. The interactive training focuses on Hands-Only CPR, how to recognize the warning signs of a stroke or heart attack, heart disease prevention education, and how to properly use an automated external defibrillator (AED).
On May 16, DeTar Healthcare System partnered with Palestine Baptist Church in Victoria to host one of these community education sessions. Participants received hands-on instruction and practiced chest compressions while learning how AED devices work during sudden cardiac arrest situations. Attendees were also taught how quickly recognizing symptoms and taking immediate action can improve outcomes during both cardiac and stroke emergencies.
“Thank you to Jolene Balboa and Karen Evans with DeTar Healthcare System for sharing their time and knowledge at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church on May 16,” Palestine Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Williams shared. “At the invitation of PMBC’s Nurses Ministry, they presented important information on heart attack and stroke awareness, risk factors, prevention, and taught Hands-Only CPR, including hands-on AED practice. We are honored to support community education that empowers others to recognize emergencies and potentially save lives. Thank you to everyone who attended this impactful workshop.”
According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals in the United States each year. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival. The American Heart Association also reports that when CPR is combined with rapid AED use, survival rates can increase significantly because AEDs can help restore a normal heart rhythm before emergency responders arrive.
Balboa said one of the biggest goals of the training is helping remove fear and hesitation from emergency response situations.
“Many people are surprised to learn how simple Hands-Only CPR can be and how AEDs are specifically designed for everyday people to use,” Balboa said. “These devices provide step-by-step voice instructions, and we want our communities to feel empowered and confident enough to step in and help when every second matters.”
Evans said increasing awareness and education throughout the Crossroads region can ultimately save lives.
“When someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, stroke symptoms, or a heart attack, immediate action is critical,” Evans said. “The more people we can educate throughout our churches, workplaces, schools, and community organizations, the more prepared our communities become to respond in those lifesaving moments.”
Church Nurse Bobbie Bosier said the training provided valuable knowledge and confidence for members of the congregation.
“This training gave our church family practical skills that could truly save a life,” Bosier said. “The hands-on experience made people feel more comfortable and prepared to respond in an emergency, and we are very thankful DeTar brought this education directly to our community.”
Pastor Jeff Williams said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to caring for the health and wellbeing of the community.
“We appreciate DeTar Healthcare System for partnering with us to provide this important training,” Williams said. “Programs like this help equip ordinary people to do extraordinary things during emergencies, and that knowledge can have a lasting impact throughout our community.”
DeTar Healthcare System continues to offer free Heart and Stroke Awareness Education sessions throughout the year as part of its mission to improve community health outcomes through education, prevention and outreach across Victoria and the Crossroads area. To learn more or schedule a session, call 361-575-7441 or email the stroke & chest pain coordinator or the director of cardiovascular services.
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