Posted on 03/13/2012

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, a member of the American Heart Association's Ad Hoc Coalition to Save Lives through Access to Public Defibrillation, has endorsed an appeal from the Coalition seeking funding for the Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices program. The President, however, has proposed eliminating funding for the program. Last year, Congress saved the program and they can do it again, but they need to hear from you today. Here is the Coalition's request:

Ask Members of Congress to reject the President’s proposal.

The Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices Program provides grants that allow states to purchase AEDs, train lay rescuers and first responders in their use, and place them where sudden cardiac arrest is most likely to occur.

AEDs save lives. Communities with aggressive AED placements have increased survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest from a meager 11% to nearly 40%.

In recent years, there has only been enough funding to support this AED program in fewer than half the states. What about the people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest in all those other states?

Ask Members of Congress to save this program and to support funding levels that would allow this program to reach every state. The need for this program is enormous. First responders, schools, churches, recreation facilities and nursing homes in rural areas eagerly await funds from this life-saving program.

Send your message today, asking Members of Congress to make saving lives from sudden cardiac arrest a top priority. 

Share