The story behind San Diego Project Heart Beat and how I can help you start your program

My saddest day as a San Diego City Coucil member was when I lost a dear friend, Ron McElliott, to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Ironically, Ron died as he crossed the finish line of a 10K race he founded years earlier.

No defibrillator was present. Life-saving therapy was futile by the time EMS arrived. It was too late.

Determined to keep families from a similar loss, I helped found San Diego Project Heart Beat, which I consider my single greatest, lasting contribution to the City of San Diego. With hearty support from Mayor Jerry Sanders, San Diego is now the “poster child” for publicly accessible defibrillation programs. Many cities have modeled their programs after Project Heart Beat.

Importantly, we’ve spared 65 San Diegans, their families, and their friends and communities.

It’s my great hope that this site motivates you to explore a program of your own … before an unexpected death motivates you, as it did me.

Starting your own program

The first thing I would invite you to do (if you haven’t already) is download the “Lives Lost” PDF above. It is loaded with statistics about the efficacy of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the community. It is sure to persuade fellow decision makers about the importance of the program.

You’ll learn that, according to American Heart Association estimates, we lose one American every two minutes to SCA, where the heart’s electrical system misfires. And at that rate, SCA takes more lives than breast cancer, prostate cancer, house fires, firearms, traffic accidents, and AIDS combined.

You surely know people who died from a “heart attack” … except it may have been cardiac arrest … and, with an AED, the person may have been resuscitated in time for a second chance.

Bringing accessible defibrillation to your community

I won’t mislead you … pulling a “Project Heart Beat” together can be a lot of work … but so worth it. Just imagine how I feel, for example, when I learn a life in San Diego is saved because of this program.

Talk about a positive impact on the community! It’s what public service is all about.

I’ve engaged Cardiac Science, the AED company I chose for San Diego Project Heart Beat, as my advisors on this project because of their knowledge of AED technology, Good Samaritan laws, ordinances, and funding possibilities.

So, please download “Lives Lost: The Case for AEDs in Your Community” to get started. You have my phone and email information below. And we can arrange face-to-face meetings with you and your team when you are ready for an initial conversation.

Thank you.

I look forward to working with you on this most important health and safety initiative. Indeed, perhaps the initiative for which you will be remembered long after your public service is ended.

Good luck. Be brave. God bless.