Anna Kane
December, 2019
Bolt for the Heart provides the Indianapolis community an opportunity to save lives.
In 2013, Pastor Dan Schume was having a regular day at his church when he suddenly collapsed without warning. As his body became pale and cold, his colleagues rushed in to preform CPR and activate EMS. Hours later, he awoke in the Indiana Heart Center with no memory of what had just occurred. He had suffered from what is known as Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
Schume (2nd from right) and family at Bolt for the Heart 5K
Schume is not alone. Annually, more than 335,000 Americans suffer from SCA which can happen to anyone without warning. Tragically, 95% of these cases result in death.
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a device which can restart the heart by analyzing for irregular heart rhythms then delivering a shock when appropriate. This is different from CPR which serves only to maintain blood flow. AEDs are portable, usable by anyone, and can drastically increase the chances of survival from SCA. According to the National Safety Council, rapid use of an AED increases the chances of survival from 5% up to 40%. However the effectiveness of an AED is dependent on its quick access as survival rates decrease 7-10% for every minute someone goes without defibrillation from a device.
Schume was lucky. The EMTs arrived within 90 seconds of EMS being activated. Many others, especially those living in rural areas, are not so lucky. In these areas, police are often the first responders but most do not have AEDs. By the time EMTs arrive with the AED, several minutes have passed and the chances for survival could be decreased by more than 50%. The American Heart Association predicts that more than 40,000 lives could be saved every year if there was better access to AEDs.
A single life-saving AED can cost $1500 making it prohibitive for the police department to purchase and install their own. It is for this reason that Bolt for the Heart exists.
Pierre Twer, founder of Bolt for the Heart, once ran the Boston Marathon. When he finished he said, “That was the hardest thing I have ever done, and I am never doing that again.” While you won’t find him running through the streets of Boston, you can find him running to save lives. During the Boston marathon, he witnessed a young father collapse and be resuscitated by an AED. After this, Twer saw a need for AEDs in his own community, and in 2010, he founded Bolt for the Heart (an extension of Heart Reach Medical) as a 501c non-profit organization in Carmel, IN.
Bolt for the Heart exists with the purpose, “to serve Indiana, particularly those affected by heart disease, through education, financial support and direct assistance.” They accomplish this goal through their work with AEDs.
Bolt for the Heart is comprised entirely of a volunteers, except for one paid employee. They raise funds through donations from private organizations and through their annual Thanksgiving Day 5k. With the funds, Bolt for the Heart purchases and donates the AED, along with providing training for the beneficiaries.
Since their founding, Bolt for the Heart has placed more than 700 AEDs throughout Indiana. Earlier this year, Bolt for the Heart met their goal of placing an AED in every Indiana State Police Patrol car. However, they are not stopping there. Now Bolt for the Heart’s goal is that in the next few years every sheriff department in Indiana will be equipped with an AED.
Cardiac Science G5 AED: Purchased and donated by Bolt
Dan Schume is at home now. He has been able to see his son get married and become a grandfather. While his family has always loved to run he used to say, “That kind of activity is not for me.” However, after learning about Bolt for the Heart, he has participated in the 5k every year since 2014. He is a strong proponent of Bolt for the Heart as he says, “I am alive because of an AED…having AEDs in the hands of those who are first responders WILL save countless lives.”
We may not always be around when someone falls victim to Sudden Cardiac Arrest. We might not be able to call 911, or preform CPR. But we can take part in placing AEDs in critical locations so they can be there. We can be a part of saving lives.
We can run so Sudden Cardiac Arrest runs from us. Bolt for the Heart gives us the chance to do that.
About the Author: Anna Kane is a senior at IUPUI studying English. She partnered on various writing projects with Bolt for the Heart after becoming passionate about AEDs during a First Aide& CPR training course. She believes it is important for people to be educated about AEDs and believes the Indiana will save tens of thousands of lives through partnership with Bolt for the Heart.