By Terri Spilman
Sudden cardiac arrest kills 335,000 people of all ages and fitness levels without warning each year.
The chance for survival is 90 percent if an Automated External Defibrillator is present, which is why Heart Reach Carmel is holding their second annual Bolt for the Heart 3.33 Mile Run/Walk on Thanksgiving morning to raise funds to supply defibrillators to nonprofit organizations in central Indiana.
The defibrillators are portable and used to restart someone’s heart in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.
According to Heart Reach Carmel founder, Pierre Twer, “A portable AED device should be available wherever a lot of people congregate at once.”
The expense of the machines which retail for around $2,500, along with accessibility issues during an emergency situation are two of the biggest barriers to availability in public places.
“Ninety five percent of those who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest die because CPR and defibrillation usually occur too late, if at all,” Twer said.
As witnessed at a recent Carmel High School football game when an official suddenly stopped breathing, collapsed and was brought back to life by early responders, athletic fields are ideal locations for defibrillator devices.
Last summer, Twer became acquainted with Erick and Georgiana Williams after their 8-year-old son, Dylan, died from complications of going into cardiac arrest caused by being hit by a baseball during little league practice.
“We’re letting down our kids for not having those (defibrillators),” Erick Williams said. “I never, never, ever gave it a thought.”
The Williams’ overwhelming grief, courage and love for their son have propelled them into advocacy for portable defibrillator accessibility and awareness.
In Dylan’s honor, Heart Reach Carmel donated a defibrillator to the ball park in Union City, Ind., now renamed the Dylan Williams Memorial Field, and also donated a defibrillator to the Williams family. Among the many teams entered into Bolt for the Heart is Team Dylan Williams which has over 125 participants and growing.
Last year proceeds from the event allowed for $25,000 worth of defibrillators to be placed in various parts of central Indiana, including several in Carmel.
Bolt for the Heart will be held at 8:45 a.m. Nov. 28 on Thanksgiving morning. The start and finish lines will be at the Palladium with the route looping north through Carmel.
Thanksgiving costumes are encouraged with prizes awarded for the best. The event is sponsored by IU North Hospital and Marsh. For more information and to register online, please visit www.boltfortheheart.com.
