Bolt for the Heart is pleased to announce a donation of 13 AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) to the LaPorte County Sheriffs Department on November 7, 2019 at 9:00 am (CST) at the Franciscan Health Michigan City main entrance.
AEDs provide an electrical shock to the heart in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. The LaPorte County First Responders are committed to ensuring all of their patrol cars are equipped with life savings AED’s.
“This is a tremendous initiative by LaPorte County and the surrounding community police departments. The first responders in the area estimate a need of approximately 130 AEDs. We are honored to be able to help them begin reaching their goal with this donation and assist in the mission of keeping people in LaPorte County safer,” said Pierre Twer, president of Bolt for the Heart."It shows you how important the first responders of LaPorte County feel about keeping their citizens safe from sudden cardiac arrest (stopping of the heart) and how the community has embraced these efforts. No one loses in this type of passion and effort because this will save someone's life,” Twer said.
Bolt for the Heart is a 501c3 not for profit organization that raises money through generous sponsors like Franciscan Health, family 5K runs/walks, and generous donations from individuals and businesses to buy AEDs for donation to their community Hometown Heroes. In cooperation with Franciscan Health, the City of Michigan City, the Michigan City Parks Department and the Play For Jake Foundation, Bolt for the Heart raised funds for the AEDs at the inaugural Family 5K on Sept. 8, 2019, in Washington Park. Bolt plans to continue this 5K fundraiser annually.
“At Franciscan Health, we know how important time is to a patient during a sudden cardiac event. As LaPorte County’s leader in healthcare, we are honored to support this effort to get AEDs into the vehicles of our law enforcement partners, who are often the first to arrive on the scene. We are very pleased with the success of this first event, and look forward to our continued strong partnership with LaPorte County law enforcement, Bolt for the Heart, Play for Jake Foundation, and the city of Michigan City, to ensure every police vehicle in LaPorte county has an AED on board,” said Dean Mazzoni, Franciscan Health Michigan City president and CEO.
Bolt has donated over 700 AEDs to date. Earlier this year, Bolt completed their pledge of equipping the Indiana State Police Patrol team with 465 AEDs. The attention has now turned to the Indiana Sheriffs' Association, where they will assist in the goal of equipping the sheriff patrol vehicles with AEDs. The ISA has indicated that they are in need of approximately 1000 AEDs in the 92 counties of Indiana.
To help accomplish this goal, Bolt for the Heart has introduced the Hometown Hero initiative, where an individual or business can make a tax-deductible donation to BFTH and an AED will be placed in a sheriff vehicle in the county of their choice. A window cling will also be placed in the vehicle's window notating the donor's name or company logo. If you would like to support your Hometown Hero with the donation of an AED, please visit the Bolt for the Heart website for more information. www.boltfortheheart.com.
