The SADS Foundation is proud to be a steering committee member of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition (SCAC). The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition is comprised of more than 40 organizations passionate about preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) deaths through legislative initiatives that lead to greater public awareness, research, and access to life-saving therapies.

We are focused on working cooperatively on a national level to achieve results with Congress, the Administration, other policy makers, the media, health care providers, and the public.

October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month!

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) claims more than 380,000* lives per year, and is the leading cause of death in the United States. If the availability of timely and appropriate care is increased, survival rates will improve. These deaths occur in all ages, genders, ethnicities and geographic areas –SCA can strike anyone, anytime. Having automated external defibrillators (AEDs) accessible in schools and places of public gathering increases an SCA victim’s chance of survival.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition (SCAC) is comprised of 46 nonprofit organizations that have joined together to increase survival from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) through initiatives to expand public awareness, research funding and access to life-saving therapies. The SCAC is focused on promoting sound federal legislative and regulatory policies that can help achieve these goals.
* American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2012 Update. Circulation: 15 Dec. 2011

What can YOU do? 

• Learn CPR and then get your friends and family involved too! 
  • Learn & practice hands-only CPR by watching YouTube videos here
  • Ensure an emergency care plan is in place at your child’s school
• Sign the SCA Coalition's Petition! (Below)

Help Make AEDs More Accessable!

Petition:
We the undersigned agree with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Coalition and its member organizations that automated external defibrillators (AEDs), along with strong Emergency Action Plans should be in all schools and places of public gathering, including sports venues, shopping malls and places of business.

By signing this petition you lend your voice to the voiceless victims of SCA and to the few grateful survivors and stand up to say “No more needless deaths, AEDs save lives and should be in our schools and places of public gathering.”

This petition is an important piece of a larger initiative to gain support from both the United States Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Services on national issues relating to SCA.


Click here to download a hard copy of the petition to take to your office, school and any other gathering during October to help gather signatures.