Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter isn’t alone when he explains the importance of accessible AED’s when someone goes into cardiac arrest. Just ask the family of Danny Rhoad, a 13-year-old Westfield boy whose life was saved by an AED earlier this year. Danny was playing baseball when a ball struck him in the chest. When coaches ran to a concession stand where an AED was stored, they were able to use the defibrillator to restore Rhoad’s heartbeat.
A life was saved.
Last year, Bolt for the Heart (BFTH) teamed up with the Indiana State Police to promote and participate in their annual Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk to raise money to equip ISP patrol cars with lifesaving AED’s. The event, held in Carmel Indiana, raised enough money to purchase 55 AED’s which were placed in ISP cars that patrol Indiana’s more rural counties. Since that time, BFTH has worked with another contributing partner, IU Health, who donated funding to purchase an additional 15 AED’S.
What is an AED? It is a portable Automated External Defibrillator used to restart someone’s heart in the event of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). According to the Bolt for the Heart website (http://boltfortheheart.com/what-are-aeds/), each year Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) kills 335,000 people of all ages and fitness levels without warning. Ninety five percent of those who suffer from SCA die because CPR and defibrillation usually occur too late, if at all.
How can you help get more AED’s to the Bloomington District? Bolt for the Heart is asking anyone interested to participate in a virtual race that can be completed anywhere and on your time schedule. If you’re not able to run, please consider making a small donation by visiting the website at; http://boltfortheheart.com/events/virtual-race-5k/. All proceeds go to purchasing AED’s for Indiana State Trooper Patrol cars that will be a part of your community!
Racing begins November 1st and runs through the end of December. Entries are $20.00 and include a 2016 Custom Finisher Medal and Commemorative Race Bib. When you finish, send BFTH a photo or two with your finish time and use the hashtag #LetsBolt on your social media posts.
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