Mercy donates AEDs to area organizations, schools, churches

Program offers life-saving devices to community  

Mercy Medical Center is donating Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to 10 area churches, schools and community organizations in the coming weeks, bringing the number of AEDs the hospital has donated to 61 since the program began in 2014.

AEDs are portable devices that check heart rhythm and treat Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA). When needed, an AED can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. The AEDs will be placed in readily accessible locations at each site, to be used in case of an emergency.

The AED donation program at Mercy is designed to equip local non-profits demonstrating financial need with the life-saving devices. The non-profits must also exhibit a need for AED coverage for their facility and participate in an application process. 

Presentation of the AEDs will take place at the following times and locations in Cedar Rapids and surrounding communities:

Friday, February 15

1. Calvary Baptist Church – 8:45 a.m.
   5338 Johnson Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids
2. Arc of East Central Iowa – 10 a.m.
   680 2nd St. SE, Suite 200, Cedar Rapids
3. St. Ludmila’s Church – 11 a.m.
   2107 J St. SW, Cedar Rapids
4. United Church of Christ Central City – 1 p.m.
   38 N Main St., Central City
5. Marion First United Church – 2:15 p.m.
   5050 R.E.C. Dr., Marion
6. New City Church – 3:30 p.m.
   5335 Midway Dr. NW, Cedar Rapids

Wednesday, February 27

1. ASAC – 8:30 a.m.
   3601 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids
2. Veteran Memorial Commission – 10 a.m.
   50 2^nd Ave, Cedar Rapids
3. Shellsburg Fire Department – 2 p.m.
   101 Pearl St., Shellsburg

Monday, March 4

1. Marion Independent School District – 3 p.m.
   675 S. 15^th St., Marion

Mercy is partnering with ThinkSafe, based in Cedar Rapids, to make the AEDs available for donation.

According to the American Heart Association, Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) kills more people every year than strokes, AIDS and breast cancer.  A key to fighting SCA is defibrillation (use of an AED) within a very short period of time from the onset of SCA.