About Us
Be Like Bill was created to turn everyday people into community heroes. We help get more life-saving automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) into central Indiana and provide educational programs and hands-on training to give people the confidence and courage to act if a cardiac emergency arises.
Our Mission
Less than 10% of people who experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of a hospital survive. The survival rate can jump to over 60% when a bystander calls 911, administers CPR, and an AED is available and used.
Be Like Bill is on a mission to increase awareness, education, and the availability of AEDs so everyday heroes can intervene and save more lives.
How Bill Became an Everyday Hero
On June 20, 2017, husband and father of three Jeff Utzinger fell victim to a Sudden Cardiac Arrest while out for a morning run in his Carmel, IN neighborhood. Jeff’s neighbor, Bill Schlies, was on his way to work that morning and witnessed the event unfold. After calling 911, Bill began performing chest compressions on Jeff for several minutes.
“He stopped and called 911 after realizing I wasn't breathing, and the 911 dispatcher walked him through CPR,” recalls Jeff. “Bill had never done CPR before, and after listening to the recording of the 911 call, I'm still amazed at how calm and under control he was… looking over someone who wasn't breathing, not knowing how long I had been lying there, and never in his life having experienced responding to something like this.”
Police Arrive With an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)
Bill continued to administer CPR until Carmel Police Officer Tony Lovitt arrived on the scene. Officer Lovitt had an AED in his patrol car, which he used to shock Jeff’s heart back into a natural rhythm, ultimately saving his life.
“Roughly four minutes later, a local police officer showed up with an AED,” adds Jeff. “Thankfully, they all carry one in the town I live in. I have since found out this is fairly rare for all police cars in all towns to have one in their car.”
Moments later, EMS arrived and took Jeff to the emergency room. Had it not been for Bill’s courage to take quick action and for Officer Lovitt arriving with his AED, Jeff may not be alive today. “Bill was left there, tears and sweat rolling down his face, wondering what just happened. Well, what happened was he saved a life—my life—and really, the lives of my wife and three kids,” added Jeff.
A Lifelong Bond and Mission Are Formed
Once out of the hospital, Jeff was able to track down and connect with Bill via social media. The former strangers became fast friends, forever bonded by this emotional experience. The two now share a passion for telling their story and encouraging people to step in and help others in their time of need, regardless of the circumstances.
Watch Jeff and Bill’s Story
Executive Board of Directors
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Jeff Utzinger
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Bill Schlies
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Mike Van Vierzen
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our FAQs to learn more about Be Like Bill. Don’t see your answer here? Send us a message via our contact page.
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Yes, we are a 501c3 organization based in Central Indiana. The donations we receive go to further our mission to empower everyday people with the education, training, and tools to take action and improve survival rates for victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
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An AED is an easy-to-use medical device that can be used to help a person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The device can analyze a heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock (defibrillation) to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
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Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. It strikes people of all ages who may seem to be healthy, even children and teens. When SCA happens, the person collapses and doesn’t respond or breathe normally. They may gasp or shake as if having a seizure. SCA leads to death in minutes if the person does not get help right away. Survival depends on people nearby calling 911, starting CPR, and using an AED (if available) as soon as possible.
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While people often confuse the two, sudden cardiac arrest and heart attack are not the same thing. According to the American Heart Association, “a heart attack is when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Sudden cardiac arrest is when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating. A heart attack is a ‘circulation’ problem and sudden cardiac arrest is an ‘electrical’ problem.”
