Heart attack is the leading cause of death in the Fox Valley region, and in the United States. AEDs, or automated external defibrillators, save lives. Placement of AEDs in emergency response vehicles, public areas and local business is the focus of the Gold Cross Ambulance HeartStart Foundation.

HeartStart provides AEDs to municipalities of all sizes and to all kinds of organizations, as well as assists in placing AEDs in public locations in the Fox Valley. The HeartStart Foundation fund, helps pay for AEDs. AEDs cost about $1,800 each.

Since the program began in 1998, Gold Cross has assisted in the placement of more than 400 AEDs in the Fox Valley and broader region. Publicly accessible AEDs are located in downtown Appleton, Neenah and Menasha, as well as in smaller municipalities in the region, and scores more are used by law enforcement and other emergency responders.

Thanks to the HeartStart Foundation and community support, the Fox Cities have the most AEDs per capita in Wisconsin.