Alerts Sign-up
Franciscan Health Lafayette recently held a breakfast event for the Revive & Survive program, where it distributed 28 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to 18 non-profit organizations. These organizations also received an opportunity for CPR training.
The Revive & Survive program, initiated in 2005, began providing free AEDs to eligible non-profits in 2006. Since its inception, the program has distributed 583 AEDs. Kate Ullem, grant coordinator at Franciscan Health for the Revive and Survive program, emphasized the importance of AEDs: "If something does happen, an AED can increase survival rates by over 80%, so they are so important."
Since 2006, Franciscan Health's Community Education department has partnered with North Central Health Services (NCHS) to implement this initiative. The program awards AEDs to not-for-profit organizations across several counties including Benton and Tippecanoe. It also offers free CPR and AED training.
Caren Crum from Carroll County Extension expressed enthusiasm about receiving three AEDs: "We were awarded three AEDs and we were really excited about that." She highlighted the significance of having AEDs available at highly trafficked locations like fairgrounds.
Stephen Horrocks from Mental Health America in Wabash Valley acknowledged the impact of having an AED on-site: "Having an AED on sight will be an absolute gamechanger for us."
Serena Johnston, program education manager at Franciscan Health, noted the community benefits: "The program has been absolutely invaluable for our communities."
Revive & Survive aims to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and improve survival rates by placing life-saving devices in strategic locations. More information on applying for an AED through this program is available online.
