Indianapolis - Calling all runners, walkers and those who wish to support a life saving cause. Because of mobility, police officers are often the first responders on the scene of medical emergencies. By putting AEDs into patrol cars, the potential to save the life of a person in cardiac arrest substantially increases. You can make room for your Thanksgiving meal by participating in this year's Bolt for the Heart 5k, on Thanksgiving Day in Carmel. You can also take a run on your own with your friends and family anytime from November 1st until the end of December. Use this as an opportunity to challange one another in a friendly competition or just enjoy a long walk. If you wish to organize your own 5k, and would like to invite Troopers in your area to participate along with you, sign all runners up at http://boltfortheheart.com/events/virtual-race-5k/ and please contact us at 317-899-8287. The cost to participate in the virtual 5k is $20, and all proceeds go directly to funding the purchase of AEDs for State Police Patrol Cars.
If you are not able to physically participate, a donation can be made to this cause at http://boltfortheheart.com/events/virtual-race-5k/
Further information about this event is below, as well as stories of AED use by Indiana State Troopers.
Join us virtually for our Fifth Annual Bolt for the Heart Family 5k a Run/ Walk; 100% of the proceeds to buy AEDs for ISP patrol cars.
Last year, Bolt for the Heart (BFTH) teamed up with the Indiana State Police to promote and participate in the 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.
New for this year, BFTH is offering everyone to participate in a virtual race that can be completed anywhere and on your time schedule. Visit website here: http://boltfortheheart.com/events/virtual-race-5k/. Like the event held in Carmel on Thanksgiving Day, all proceeds go to purchasing AED’s.
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.
“We, as a department, have been blessed by the caring generosity of the Bolt for the Heart organization and their stated goal of ensuring each and every state police road patrol commission is equipped with an AED,” stated Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “Now, with the Virtual Run, we have the opportunity to show our gratitude by encouraging friends, family, co-workers and other Public Safety professionals in our communities to commit to participating in the 2016 BFTH 5K walk/run anytime during the month of November and December.”
AEDs are predominately used on patients who suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Among the successes of AED use in the state of Indiana is Danny Rhoad, a 13-year-old Westfield boy whose life was saved by an AED that was stationed at Grand Park in May. He was playing baseball when a ball struck him in the chest. Coaches ran to a concession stand, which had an AED, and used the defibrillator to restore Rhoad’s heartbeat.
“Three other instances in which an AED was applied were administered by an Indiana state police officer, and two of the patients were successfully resuscitated,” said Pierre Twer, president of Bolt for the Heart. “In these three examples, the heart was stopped. In two of these examples, these people have gone on to live meaningful lives. And that’s because of AED’s being available to troopers. That’s why this is so valuable and important to us.”
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