DURANT, Okla. (KTEN) — A recent donation of rescue kits to the Durant Independent School District will help save lives in an emergency situation.

In 2008, Colton Sherrill died at age 10 due to an unknown heart defect.

Each year since then, Trace and Dena Sherrill have held a fundraiser run to keep their son's memory alive and to support cardiac education.

All the funds they raise from the running event goes to schools and projects.

Over the years, the Sherrills have given Durant ISD a total of 45 automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, which can help keep a cardiac arrest patient alive.

They recently donated an additional AED, along with extra batteries and pads, and stop the bleed kits for 315 emergency go bags.

"AEDs have to be readily accessible, right? You don't want to go across the school campus to find one," Trace Sherrill said. "They need to be readily available wherever you might be — the gym or cafeteria, wherever."

The Sherrills are also donating about LifeVac devices to Durant schools; these are used to assist choking victims.

"We are so grateful to Trace and Dena," said Durant High School head nurse Blaklyn Geiger. "We would not be able to have the amount we do, much less provided in all seven schools in our district."

Colton's Main Street Run for 2023 will be held on Saturday, October 21 in Durant.