The Play For Jake Foundation partnered with Bolt for the Heart to present the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department with 29 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to assist in life saving efforts throughout LaPorte County.
The AEDs were purchased with funds from the second annual Bolt for the Heart 5K Family Run/Walk and were presented November 19 at Franciscan Health Michigan City.
Play For Jake Foundation founder Julie West joined Bolt for the Heart president Pierre M. Twer at the presentation.
“It is truly an honor to partner with Pierre and Bolt for the Heart to provide life-saving AEDs to our community’s first responders,” said West. “People are going to have a second chance at life thanks to the presence of these devices in first responder vehicles.”
According to LaPorte County Sheriff John Boyd, officers responded to over 250 medical calls in rural areas in 2019 alone. Having an AED readily available during those calls can help save a life until an ambulance is able to arrive.
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About The Play For Jake Foundation
Founded in 2013 by Julie West after the loss of her son, The Play For Jake Foundation is dedicated to the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in youth. Our hope is to save lives and help prevent this tragedy from happening to other families.
Through its efforts, The Play For Jake Foundation partners with schools to provide heart screenings for their students, as well as to raise funds and awareness around the importance of AEDs.
