AEDs for Everyday Heroes
Be Like Bill is a 501c3 organization on a mission to save lives by increasing awareness and providing more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in our communities. Inspired by a real-life rescue, we aim to empower everyday heroes during cardiac emergencies.
When someone experiences sudden cardiac arrest, immediate CPR and early defibrillation can dramatically increase their odds of survival. Through educational programs, hands-on training, and increased access to AEDs, Be Like Bill empowers people to intervene and save lives.
Act
Don’t hesitate, do something
Empower
Empowered with knowledge of what to do and access to an AED
Save
The positive results from courageous actions
What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA)?
Despite common misconceptions about sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), this life-threatening event is not a heart attack. While a heart attack can be described as a “plumbing” issue, SCA is an electrical malfunction that causes the heart to suddenly stop beating.
SCA kills 365,000 Americans every year, with a less than 10% survival rate when occurring outside of a hospital. Rapid intervention with CPR and the immediate use of an AED can increase survival rates to over 60%.
Did You Know?
More than 365,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of the hospital each year.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest is not a heart attack, and it can happen to anyone regardless of fitness level, age, race, or gender.
If performed immediately, CPR can increase the chance of survival from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from 10% to over 60%.
For every minute that goes by without intervention in a cardiac emergency, the chance of survival decreases by 10%.
Still, the number of patients who have an AED applied by a bystander remains low, occurring after only 10.2% of SCAs that happen in a public place.
70% of Cardiac Arrest events happen in the home.
Statistics from the American Heart Association.
Who Is Bill?
Bill Schlies is a hero.
In June 2017, Jeff Utzinger fell victim to sudden cardiac arrest while out for a morning run.
Bill saw the event unfold, stopped, and took action. He called 911 and performed chest compressions for four minutes while waiting for help to arrive. The police officer who arrived on the scene had an AED, which shocked Jeff’s heart back into a natural rhythm, saving his life.
As a result of Bill’s fearless actions that day, Be Like Bill was inspired to empower more heroes during cardiac emergencies.
News & Events
Donate to the PAD campaign and get more AEDs into central Indiana communities
Through the Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) program, we’re equipping public spaces with AEDs, so everyday heroes can access the tools they need to keep hearts beating. New AEDs cost around $1600 (refurbished are much cheaper), and your donation will go toward purchasing these critical, life-saving devices.
Channel your inner hero and donate $1600, $1000, $100, or even just $5. Every little bit helps!