Local non-profit launches AED campaign to save lives

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A local non-profit has launched a nationwide campaign to help get more lifesaving Automated External Defibrillators into more places with kids.

If someone is in cardiac arrest, the sooner their heart is shocked with AEDs the better their chances are for survival.

But not all facilities or recreation centers can afford an AED. That's where Simon's Fund aims to help.

Hundreds of kids and adults visit the Beckett Life Center in North Philadelphia every day.

But executive director Carol Z. Smith says an AED device wasn't in the budget. They recently received theirs through a donation from Simon's Fund and are grateful.

"To have that extra level of security is fantastic," Smith said.

Darren Sudman co-founded Simon's Fund and has now launched GotAED.org.

It gives other centers the opportunity to crowdfund to also get their own AED.

You simply upload a profile picture, a description of the venue, and then launch your crowdfunding campaign on social media.

"After you raise $1,100, you'll get an AED and a cabinet shipped to your facility," Sudman said.

Anyone can use an Automated External Defibrillator. It walks you through the steps and only shocks when necessary.

AEDs save thousands of lives each year. The closer one is in an emergency, the better the chances for someone, child or adult, to survive cardiac arrest.

"An AED device is just like having a smoke detector, a fire extinguisher, a burglar alarm, you hope you never have to use it, but in those instances, they're really important things to have," Sudman said.

One local center has already raised enough money and received an AED. A few others have started their campaigns.

If you want to contribute, or start your own fund raising, click here.

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