Funding for Rural and Community AED Program in Jeopardy

How you can help

Funding for the Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices (AED) Act is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, few victims who suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside hospitals (7-8%) survive. Victims who receive immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and who are treated with defibrillators, however, are have a much better chance of survival. In fact, in communities with strong systems of emergency response, survival rates approach 40%.

The program provides funding to states to install AEDs and provide training to potential rescuers in locations where SCA is likely to occur. In 2005, for example, nearly $9 million was distributed to 47 states and countless lives were saved as a result.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition urge Congress to restore funding for this lifesaving program.

You can help. Following are some easy and quick actions you can take right now to positively affect the outcome.

1. Send an e-mail  to your representatives. (1-2 minutes)
2. Call your representatives and use the attached script. (3-5 minutes) 
3. Request a meeting with your representative(s) in the district office in your community.  (5-7 minutes)

Thank you for doing your part to help save lives.