Progress
How Did Keep the Beat Begin?
It was recognized that there was a void in health-related awareness campaigns. There was not one campaign dedicated solely to sudden cardiac arrest awareness. In the spring of 2005, Keep the BeatSM was launched in order to expand public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest, broaden education efforts and make lifesaving treatment readily accessible in communities across the country.
Keep the Beat Summer Tour 2005 Supported by James Taylor
In June 2005, the Keep the Beat campaign hit the road. Legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor supported Keep the Beat during his summer tour. During the tour, nearly $300,000 was raised to support Keep the Beat and Neighborhood Heart Watch, a non-profit organization that will help implement AED programs in schools across the country. Through the Keep the Beat summer tour, thousands of people learned about sudden cardiac arrest and early defibrillation. James Taylor’s tour included 33 performances over an eleven-week period with over 370,000 in attendance.
Public Access Defibrillation Support
Physio-Control continues to support public awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and access to AED programs. Additional information and resources can be found in our Learning Resource Center.