Need a defibrillator? Apply now through Heartbeat Northland grant program

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Nonprofit organizations, churches, municipalities and other public organizations are invited to apply now through Aug. 31 for one of 11 new Philips HeartSafe Onsite Automated External Defibrillators (AED) through a grant program sponsored by HeartBeat Northland.

Each year, over 465,000 Americans die of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), making it the leading cause of death in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Quick access to an AED in the event of cardiac arrest is one critical factor for the survival of a victim, along with quick call to 911, early and continuous CPR, and transport to a hospital by trained responders,” said Judy Hanne Gonzalez, executive director of the Northland Chapter of the American Red Cross.

HeartBeat Northland, a consortium of 15 city councils, organizations and area emergency responders, raised about $16,400 in June for the project during “HeartBeat Idol,” a live karaoke event held at Grandma’s Sports Garden in Duluth.

Major financial contributors to the event included St. Luke’s Regional Heart Center and the Minnesota Resuscitation Consortium.

“Our mission is to reduce the number of deaths from Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) by placing AEDs throughout the Northland, training more people in CPR/AED, and educating people in the Northland about SCA,” Gonzalez said.

Grant applications and guidelines can be downloaded at www.redcrossmn.org/AED , or they can be requested from Gonzalez at the Northland Chapter, 2524 Maple Grove Road, Duluth, MN 55811. More information is available by calling 218-722-0071.

Tags: carlton county, health