On Friday, January 17, 2025, to kick off its 20th Annual National Heart to Heart event, Parent Heart Watch, ZOLL Medical, as part of its new Anything Can Happen. Anyone Can Help.™ initiative, and SaveStation® donated a ZOLL AED 3 and an indoor SaveStation® to the Native American Youth and Family Center in Portland, Oregon. Rick Graves, Public Information Officer for Portland Fire Rescue, played a key role in identifying the NAYA Family Center as a deserving recipient.

The ZOLL AED 3, valued at $2,875, was installed in the Many Nations Academy gym, a vital hub for the Native American community. The gym, located adjacent to an outdoor pavilion and community garden, is frequented by students, athletes, elders, and volunteers, making it an ideal location for this life-saving equipment. The SaveStation cabinet clearly marks that an AED is available for the community to use. 

By making AEDs more accessible and understood, we are empowering everyone—from students to elders—to take action when every second counts. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where the health and safety of all is a shared responsibility.

Lori Peters,
Associate Director, Advocacy & Partnerships
ZOLL

“We are honored to partner with such impactful organizations to bring life-saving AEDs into the heart of the Portland community,” said Lori Peters, Associate Director, Advocacy and Partnerships, ZOLL. “By making AEDs more accessible and understood, we are empowering everyone—from students to elders—to take action when every second counts. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient community where the health and safety of all is a shared responsibility.”

Sudden cardiac arrest is a public health crisis, claiming over 356,000 lives annually in the United States, including approximately 23,000 youth under age 18. Despite decades of efforts, the survival rate remains at just 10%, largely due to delays in response. Quick access to an AED and immediate bystander CPR are critical in improving survival outcomes.

AEDs are a critical part of the solution to saving lives, yet they are often misunderstood. Many people mistakenly believe these devices are meant only for trained professionals, when in fact, they are designed for bystanders to use in emergencies. ZOLL AEDs stand out for their real-time verbal and visual instructions, providing step-by-step guidance for high-quality CPR and determining if a shock is needed. This intuitive support empowers bystanders to act confidently during the critical first four minutes after sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)—a window when brain health is most at risk. With EMS response times averaging 7 to 14 minutes, immediate action with an AED can make all the difference.

ZOLL has long been committed to supporting heart health initiatives, including sponsoring impactful events like the Parent Heart Watch Conference, where we proudly served as a “Promise” level sponsor this year. These efforts, alongside our ongoing donations of AEDs to communities across the country, reflect our dedication to improving preparedness and saving lives. Building on this legacy, we’ve launched our new Anything Can Happen. Anyone Can Help. campaign to further raise awareness and understanding of AEDs, ensuring life-saving resources are accessible and empowering everyday heroes to act when it matters most.