EpiPens Donated To All Cherokee County Schools

WOODSTOCK, GA — Thanks to the support of Northside Hospital Cherokee, the Cherokee County School District has received EpiPens at no cost for all schools in the system.

The cost of the pens — auto-injectors that can be life-saving in cases of serious allergic reaction — was waived by manufacturer, Mylan, as part of its EpiPen4Schools program. CCSD’s participation in the program was made possible by Northside Hospital Cherokee Dr. Matthew Simmons, who wrote prescriptions for each school’s clinic.

CCSD Chief Communications Officer Barbara Jacoby said each school received a double pack of adult-strength and double pack of junior-strength EpiPens. All school staff members are also trained to recognized the symptoms of anaphylaxis and use the devices.

According to its website, the EpiPens4Schools initiative works to improve access to epinephrine in the event a person experiences a life-threatening allergic reaction — anaphylaxis — in the school setting. Schools qualifying for the program receive four free EpiPen or EpiPen Jr. auto injectors, free replenishing product, storage unit, a guide demonstrating how to use EpiPens and trainers to practice injecting administering the product.

You can learn more about the program by visiting its website.

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PHOTO: Celebrating the delivery of the pens at Hasty Elementary School Fine Arts Academy are, from left to right, CCSD Lead Nurse Gwen Chambers, School Nurse Brittany Doucette, RN and NHC physicians, Dr. Matthew Simmons and Dr. Stephen Rodes, who both practice with the Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network. Credit: Cherokee County School District