Heart to Heart supports emergency-response initiatives in New Orleans

OLATHE, Kan./August 19, 2008 — Heart to Heart International Inc., a leading global humanitarian organization, today announced that it is distributing 30 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) to institutions and agencies throughout the New Orleans area as part of the organization’s ongoing relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina.

“We are excited to provide AEDs to several agencies and institutions in the New Orleans area,” stated Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid, Ed.D. “When used properly, these units have the potential of saving the life of someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. This grant program is part of Heart to Heart's continuing effort to help restore health services in communities affected by Hurricane Katrina."

Local fire departments, emergency medical responders, free health clinics, food pantries and even popular restaurants were among the recipients of a Welch Allyn AED 10 unit.

A grant from Amgen made it possible to distribute these units. The purpose of this grant is to extend the “chain of survival” by increasing the availability of early defibrillation and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within New Orleans.

Heart to Heart has been responding to people affected by Hurricane Katrina since September 2005. People interested in supporting our ongoing efforts in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast can make a donation to Heart to Heart’s Crisis Response Fund by calling toll-free 866-341-GIVE.