Looking for a fun way to get some exercise and help put an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) in every police car across Indiana? The “Bolt For The Heart” 5K fundraising event will be held at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at Center Green in Carmel. Click here to register.
If you can’t make the Thanksgiving Day run in Carmel, you can sign up to do the “5K Virtual Run” which you can do anytime and anyplace between now and Thanksgiving. You receive a medal and runner’s bib for signing up for the run, with options to buy shirts and hats.
If you don’t want to run but would still like to help out, you can by making a donation of any amount. To register and do a “Virtual Run” or to make a donation in any amount go to this link. All funds raised from the run or donations will go towards the purchase of additional AEDs for law enforcement.
More about Bolt For The Heart
Bolt For The Heart is a non-profit organization serving Indiana. Heart Reach Carmel was established in 2010 by Pierre Twer and friends and is an extension of Heart Reach Michiana, which was founded by Dr. Walt Halloran and friends in 2004. Heart Reach was established to keep monies raised locally to stay locally and impact the community close to home.
More about AEDs
An AED is a portable Automated External Defibrillator used to restart someone’s heart in the event of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Each year sudden cardiac arrest kills 335,000 people of all ages and fitness levels without warning. Ninety-five percent of those who suffer from an SCA die because CPR and defibrillation usually occur too late, if at all.
If the first person on the scene knew CPR and applied an Automated External Defibrillator within five minutes, the American Hearth Association estimates that at least 40,000 more lives per year could be saved. Calling 911 and performing CPR are not enough. Most victims need an electric shock called defibrillation to restore the heart to a regular rhythm. By placing these devices in the hands of first responders and trained individuals in public locations we are increasing their chance of survival.
Program goals
100 percent of all proceeds go directly into purchasing AEDs for police vehicles in Indiana. In recent years, Bolt for the Heart has equipped nearly every Indiana State Police vehicle with an AED, but the mission is not complete. The goal is to provide AEDs for other police agencies in every corner of the state and continue this life saving mission for many years to come.