Healthcare Foundation of La Porte (HFL) provides grants for lifesaving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) through its When Seconds Count: AED Initiative. HFL is accepting applications for AED grants from nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in La Porte County from February 14, 2022 through March 31, 2022.
AEDs are critical to increasing survival from sudden cardiac arrest. According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, only one in ten people who experience sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive. Survival rates increase to 30% when people nearby (bystanders) perform CPR and 50% when bystanders perform CPR and use an AED.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. Seemingly healthy people of all ages, even children and teens, can experience sudden cardiac arrest. When sudden cardiac arrest occurs, the person collapses, doesn’t respond or breathe normally, and may gasp or shake as if having a seizure. Survival depends on the fast actions of bystanders calling 911, starting CPR, and using an AED as soon as possible.
Through its When Seconds Count: AED Initiative, HFL provides grants for life-saving AEDs and works in partnership with the La Porte County AED Collective to provide guidance on AED education and maintenance and to monitor the locations of AEDs in our community. For more information about the La Porte County AED Collective, please visit https://laporteco.in.gov/departments-online/emergency-medical-services/aed/.
This year, HFL is opening the When Seconds Count: AED Initiative grant application process in February to coincide with American Heart Month. Maria Fruth, HFL’s President & CEO explained, “When Seconds Count: AED Initiative is near and dear to HFL’s heart as it started with the La Porte Hospital Foundation. To raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of AEDs in saving lives, HFL has aligned its AED grant application process to kick off in February.”
Nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in La Porte County may apply for a grant for an AED. Applicants must agree to have an AED maintenance plan in place and have at least one staff member certified in CPR and AED use. In addition to AEDs, HFL grants AED storage cabinets and signage, with grantees selecting the cabinet and signage styles that best meet their needs. Organizations are eligible to apply for one AED, cabinet, and signage. HFL will consider requests for more than one AED from organizations where circumstances may warrant multiple AEDs, such as organizations with multiple buildings or locations.
“Placing AEDs in key places in the community saves lives. We want to ensure that La Porte County nonprofits, schools, and government organizations have access to AEDs, cabinets, and appropriate signage,” Fruth said.
To apply for an AED grant, organizations must complete an application that is available on HFL’s grant portal. Applications are due March 31, 2022. Organizations can access the grant portal and view the AED grant timeline, cabinet and sign options, and education and maintenance information at: https://www.hflaporte.org/when-seconds-count-aed.
Through its When Seconds Count: AED Initiative, HFL has awarded close to 100 AEDs, along with cabinets and signage, totaling over $177,652, to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in La Porte County since 2017. HFL’s investment in its When Seconds Count: AED Initiative to date is part of the over $30 million the foundation has invested in the La Porte County community since initiating operations in 2017. To learn more about HFL, its grants, and community impact, please visit HFL’s website at hflaporte.org.
The mission of Healthcare Foundation of La Porte is empowering La Porte County residents to live healthy and well. The foundation’s vision is for La Porte to be among the 10 healthiest communities in Indiana by 2030. You can learn more about how we support the community by visiting hflaporte.org or by calling 219.326.2471.
