Heartsaver Donates 50 AEDS to TriState Organizations Bringing Total to 988 Placed Since 2015

Release Date 8/14/2025

On Thursday, Aug. 14, HeartSaver presented 50 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to first responders, schools, churches, youth sports leagues and nonprofit organizations across the Tri-State. The ceremony took place in the Pavilion at the Orthopedic & Neuroscience Hospital on the Deaconess Gateway Campus.

With this distribution, HeartSaver has now placed 988 AEDs since the program began in 2015, continuing its mission to reduce sudden cardiac deaths by expanding access to life-saving equipment throughout the region.

“Each AED we place represents hope—the hope that a life can be saved when seconds matter,” said Kirsten Wagmeister, chairperson of the HeartSaver Committee. “We’re honored to support so many organizations doing vital work in their communities and proud to partner with them in protecting lives.”

The Aug. 14 recipients include:
Mesker Park Zoo, Forest Park Youth Football, Evansville Youth Football, City of Mt. Vernon Fire Department, John H. Castle, St. Johns Catholic School, Gibson Co. Emergency Management Agency, Patoka Township Fire & Rescue, West Frankfort Fire Department, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, Providence Fire Dept. EMS, McCutchanville Ball Club, Huntingburg Youth Soccer Leagues, North High School Girls Lacrosse, E-REP, Humane Society of Henderson County, The Refuge Christian Church, SWIRCA, Warrick County 4-H Center, Little Egypt Christian Youth Camp, Mt. Pleasant Church of God/Mt. Pleasant Upward Soccer, Evansville Christian School, Elberfeld Elementary, Football Club of E’ville, Black Township Fire and Rescue, Manitou Volunteer Fire Department, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Welborn Baptist Foundation, The Southwestern IN Master Gardener Association (SWIMGA), The Koch Family Children’s Museum, Impact Ministries, AA, German Township Booster Club, Princeton Youth Baseball, Vincennes Police Department, Youth First, Inc. and Ferdinand Police Department.

An AED is a portable device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest, a condition that can be fatal if not treated within minutes. The device analyzes heart rhythm and delivers an electric shock when necessary to help restore a normal rhythm. Having AEDs readily available greatly increases a person’s chance of survival in a cardiac emergency.

HeartSaver is a volunteer-driven initiative of Deaconess’ Heart Hospital and Deaconess Foundation. For nearly a decade, the program has placed AEDs throughout the Tri-State region, empowering local organizations to be prepared in the face of emergencies and helping save lives in the process.