BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) received a $97,964 from the American Heart Association (AHA) at a news conference on Thursday, Nov. 2. The funds were made possible by donors who contributed to the Impact Foundation during Giving Hearts Day.

The funds will go to support Cardiac Ready Communities across the state by ensuring rural areas are equipped to handle cardiac emergencies.

North Dakota House Bill 1210 was signed by Governor Burgum this past legislative session, allowing the Department of Health to receive grants and donations in support of the Cardiac Ready Community initiative and to set up a revolving fund. The funds will be utilized to secure lower prices on needed items, such as AEDs. Already two dozen communities are working toward a Cardiac Ready designation, and five have achieved Cardiac Ready Community designation.

According to State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte, “The American Heart Association is our very first gift to this effort, and we greatly appreciate their support of this North Dakota initiative. It is an excellent example of private/public and state/local support working together.”

Learn more about the Cardiac Ready Community project at https://cardiacready.doh.nd.gov or contact Shila Thorson, North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.4569.