Making AEDs as Common as Fire Extinguishers

February 18, 2005

Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn
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February 18, 2005 - At a press conference in the Illinois State Capital, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn launched his newly created Heartsaver AED Fund that will raise funds to install Automated External Deliberators (AED) into schools, universities and park districts. The new Heartsaver AED Fund will also honor community leaders, dignitaries, survivors and families who have lost loved ones due to the lack of an AED and who are active in placing these life saving units into public and private buildings.

SALF Founder/President Carol Spizzirri
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"Over 250,000 Americans die each year from sudden cardiac arrest. Almost 50,000 of these persons could be saved if they receive quick treatment with an AED. With support from the Heartsaver AED Fund, soon these life-saving devices will be as common as fire extinguishers," stated Lieutenant Governor Quinn.

Illinois Representative Dan Burke (D-Chicago) and Sen. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) sponsored the Colleen O'Sullivan Law that requires health clubs, school gymnasiums, and indoor park district facilities to have at least one AED on the premises and train the staff in their use. Illinois Governor Blagojevich signed the bill into law last session. Rep. Burke, an AED advocate since 1995 stated, "I read a article in the Readers Digest that AEDs could save lives. Our former attorney for the House of Representatives died of heart complications after exercising at a health club facility and we realized we needed to take action."

Ed Crews, FF/EMTP, AFFI Legislative Representative
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Ed Crews, of Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, a paramedic and firefighter himself, applauds Rep. Burke and the Lieutenant Governor for spearheading this initiative, "AFFI commends those who have made a significant difference in Illinois and nationally in order to save lives as Save A Life Foundation's (SALF), President and Founder Carol Spizzirri who initiated the platform in 1993 of which this event consummates another step towards saving lives," said Crews. Carol Spizzirri's daughter Christina died in 1992 as a result of those first on the scene not knowing what to do until Emergency Medical Service (EMS) arrived.

"Over the past three years Save A Life Foundation, American Heart Association, American Red Cross and other like organizations have successfully advocated Congress to appropriate $40 million so police officers and firefighters can be trained and have these units readily available in their vehicles. SALF has trained over 1 million Illinois school children for free in life supporting first aid and how to use an AED by local EMS providers since 1997 and has donated AEDs to various schools throughout Chicagoland. These children are now empowered with the tools they need to help save a life," stated Spizzirri. "But it's up to parents and the general public to take action and maintain life until our Emergency Medical professionals arrive."

Lieutenant Governor Quinn made the first donation to the Heartsaver AED Fund at the press conference and encouraged all citizens to do the same. "Today we celebrate the passage of the Heartsaver AED Fund and look to encourage Illinois citizens to give $5, $10, or whatever you can afford, to help save more lives." Quinn said. "Our goal is to make defibrillators as common as fire extinguishers."

Donations to the Heartsaver AED Fund can be sent to:
Heartsaver AED Fund
IDPH Division of EMS
525 W. Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761

Read Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn's AED Fund Declaration Here

News Coverage:

Ill. leaders seek other sources of revenue

Feb 18, 2005, Journal Gazette and Times-Courier - Charleston,IL

SPRINGFIELD -- Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn donated the first $100 Thursday to a state fund designed to put life saving devices in the state's schools, universities and parks. "The more people we get talking about AEDs...the more lives ...