Help Put AEDs in Places of Need!

On December 11, 2023, my husband Trey was at Lakeside's gym working out on the treadmill and suddenly collapsed from a cardiac arrest. No pulse, no breathing. Within minutes, staff administered CPR and used an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to shock Trey in hopes of restoring his heart rhythm. Trey was taken to the hospital where cardiologist Dr. Dillon said Trey had a 10% to 40% chance of survival. He could have had brain damage. Trey did live and we were told that it was predominantly due to the gym staff who so quickly attended to him and performed CPR and used an AED.

We are eternally grateful to Lakeside staff, the paramedics and Dr. Dillon for saving Trey’s life. All the people involved have said, “We were just doing our job.” Yes, that is true, but putting into practice their highly skilled training saved a life.

Since the incident, I’ve learned a lot about cardiac arrests and the importance of CPR and having more AEDs available.

According to the CDC, more than 356,000 people have an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States every year, and about 60% to 80% of them die before reaching the hospital.

Research indicates that the chances of survival increase to 50-70% if CPR and an AED is used within the first five minutes of the onset of sudden cardiac arrest.

People living in underserved areas are substantially less likely to receive bystander CPR or treated with an AED.

AEDs should be located in easily accessible and visible locations where they can be quickly retrieved in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest. This may include locations such as churches, entrances or lobbies of public buildings, sports areas, meeting rooms, grocery stores or anywhere there is an occupancy of 200 or more. Many organizations and proprietors of small businesses are interested in having an AED on site but the cost ($1500-$3000) is prohibitive.

I would like to raise money to purchase AEDs for areas in Louisville that have the highest rate of heart disease in honor of the people who helped save Trey’s life and to raise awareness about the importance of learning CPR and using an AED.

Each dollar raised will be matched by an anonymous donor so please consider giving generously so that more Bystanders become Lifesavers!

(Dr. Dillon and Trey)