A new grant program is helping place life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in Virginia communities with high rates of cardiac arrests due to specific demographic and socioeconomic factors.
HCA Virginia has given a $25,000 grant to the Compress and Shock Foundation to buy 12 AEDs and offer free CPR and AED training to people in Central, Northern, and Southwest Virginia.
This grant is part of HCA Healthcare Foundation’s $75 million community impact fund, aimed at supporting important community needs and health equity. The Compress and Shock Foundation focuses on improving CPR and AED education.
AEDs deliver an electric shock to help people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
“We are excited to partner with HCA Virginia to provide free and fair access to CPR and AED education across the commonwealth,” said Dr. Jack Perkins, founder of the Compress and Shock Foundation. “These funds will allow us to get more AEDs, especially for communities most affected by cardiac arrest due to factors like race, ethnicity, language, or access to healthcare education.”
So far, three free CPR and AED training sessions have been held in Richmond, Roanoke, and Petersburg as part of the foundation’s goal to reduce disparities in CPR training.