CPR Training raises funds for McNurlen’s racing wheelchair

          Dream Team Preston McNurlen and Casey Thompson are one step closer to competing together in the vigorous Ironman Triathlon in two years, thanks in part to boy scouts and community members learning a skill that may someday save a life.

            Thompson, a Certified CPR Instructor, said he did the one thing he could teach while costing very little out of his pocket: CPR Training for adult, child and infant, using his own tutorial video and manikins provided through the training during a session on Thursday, March 23.

            “I’ve taught CPR for a good number of years and that is something people can give in a time of need,” Thompson said. “Long minutes will go by in a rural setting before help arrives, and having a person on the scene knowing CPR is pivotal in our job as EMS responders knowing that CPR has been started rather than 15 minutes later when I show up.”

            While attendees from Boy Scouts Troop 52 and the Sigourney community learned this all-important skill and became certified, they also contributed to a new wheelchair for Preston, a junior at Sigourney High School with Cerebral Palsy, to ride while he and Thompson compete in future races. On October 16 last year, the dynamic duo competed in the IMT Marathon; their eighth race together as team. However, Preston’s racing wheelchair suffered a crack just before the last race and was barely able to make the race. With their sights set on the Ironman Triathlon in 2019, Thompson and Preston would have to purchase a new wheelchair for future races. Thanks to the $725 raised from the CPR training an $7,000 raised from community contributions, Preston will have a new racing chair, fee for Ironman paid, and a raft for Casey to pull him during the swimming portion of the race.

            “Everyone in turn gave back to someone and its huge,” Thompson said. “Preston is benefiting through this by getting a new chair and being able to race with me, while these people are walking out with the ability to save a life. Both parties are benefiting.” 

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