The Sunshine Reporter

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year more than 350,000 people experience ‘out of hospital cardiac arrest’ (OHCA) in the United States. 70-90% of these individuals die before reaching the hospital.

This quarter, Illinois Heart Rescue (ILHR) is releasing a request for proposal (RFP) that will give a FREE Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to EMS agencies and/or community-based groups across the state of Illinois.

The Challenge of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)

Noted by a sudden disruption of the electrical conduction powering the heart, such an occurrence often results in sudden cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition from which statistically only 10% of individuals survive.

However, prompt bystander response, including both CPR and defibrillation can increase survival rates by double or triple that of non-intervention. Yet, the cost of AED devices is often too prohibitive to take advantage of this life-saving measure.

The Community AED Grant and EMS Placement AED Grant Mission

The ILHR Community AED Grant was created to offer with access to life-saving AED devices. Similarly, the EMS Placement AED Grant (EPAG) was created to offer a free AED device to be placed within the community at the discretion of the EMS agency.

Qualifying Organizations Include:

• EMS agencies
• Community-based organizations
• Faith-based organizations
• Schools within the State of Illinois

In addition to offering no-cost AED devices, the AED Grant provides both bystander and AED operator education at no cost.

No Cost Community Education and Resources

ILHR also offers bystander CPR, resuscitation resources for EMS, and resources for hospitals for Return of Resuscitation Care.

Lesser known to the general public, Illinois Heart Health says that the basics of bystander CPR are all that’s needed to save a life, and can be taught in as little as 5 minutes. Its website offers basic CPR training videos, but residents across Illinois communities are encouraged to find a local class where they can receive free hands-on practice with both resuscitation mannequins and automated external defibrillator devices.

About Illinois Heart Rescue

Committed to the improvement of how OHCA is identified and treated across Illinois, state-funded non-profit Illinois Heart Rescue stands as an advocate and champion of heart health across Illinois. According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, despite being a leading cause of sudden death, there are several challenges to understanding the epidemiology of cardiac arrest across the United States. ILHR aims to change this.

Serving a population of over 12 million, ILHR is dedicated to making a positive impact on public health, leading the charge with a model for cardiac arrest outcomes across large urban centers and rural communities alike.

Media Contact
Company Name: Illinois Heart Rescue
Contact Person: Teri Campbell
Email: Send Email
Phone: 312-720-0835
Address:808 S. Wood, MC 724
City: Chicago
State: Illiniois
Country: United States
Website: https://illinoisheartrescue.com/