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CITY, ND – Sudden cardiac emergencies can happen to anyone or anytime. Having Automated External Defibrillator (AED) resources available to the public, especially in rural areas, can save lives.

CHI Mercy Health (Mercy Hospital) is a partner of a Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) regional collaborative to receive $595,920 through a federal grant assuring placement of 220 AEDs throughout rural Minnesota and North Dakota. The grant also covers training for up to 675 first responders and volunteer users of these life-saving devices.   

The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded the three-year grant to 12 CHI rural hospitals within its Fargo Division including CHI Mercy Health through its Rural Access to Emergency Devices Grant Program. Year two of the three year grant closes in August. 

The total estimated cost for the AED Collaborative project is $1,034,720 over the full three years. Of this, HRSA has awarded $397,416 in federal funds for year one and two. The award is for 12-month budget periods with one additional allocation for the remaining third year, providing $595,920, 58% of potential federal assistance of over the full three year period. The remaining $438,800, 42% is funded by nongovernmental sources.