January 10, 2008–MINNEAPOLIS–The Medtronic Foundation today announced new grant guidelines for its HeartRescue program. In 2008, funding priority will be given to school programs that educate students about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and prepare them to act in an emergency.
To increase the number of bystanders trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AED use, the 2008 HeartRescue program will focus U.S. grants on schools, school districts, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that develop comprehensive school-based programs that will prepare a new generation of people to recognize SCA when it happens and take action when it does.
The primary rationale for funding school programs lies in the long-term impact of creating a new generation of people who will understand the risk factors for SCA, recognize SCA when it happens, and take immediate action to help save a life when it does. School-based training in responding to cardiac emergencies is an effective investment because these skills provide potential benefit throughout the community and not just at school. School training contributes to life long awareness, knowledge, and skills that can lead to more lives saved now, and in the future.
Priority funding will be given to new initiatives that demonstrate effective education and training programs or emergency response planning that would include CPR/AED training for designated responders, and students at one or more grade levels each year. Grant funds may not be used to purchase AEDs.
Guidelines for Canada and Europe will include school-based initiatives plus first responder and public access defibrillation efforts.
During the past eight years, the Medtronic Foundation has partnered with more than 150 communities and organizations around the world, providing more than $4 million in HeartRescue grants. These groups promote the benefits of early defibrillation and work to train community members on CPR and AED use.