Hearts on Patrol Celebration acknowledges News Radio 980 KMBZ, Classical 1660 KXTR and Entercom's Andrew Ellenberg for helping to raise $75,000 for defibrillators in Police Patrol Cars

Kansas City, MO –September 12, 2005

OLATHE, KS. – A young man named Adam Utz is alive today because a caring citizen with a defibrillator was on-site when he collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest at a local health club.

The business community, civic leaders and citizens gathered to hear his story at Carrabba’s Italian Grill Mission Accomplished celebration luncheon on September 1, 2005 to demonstrate the importance of accomplishing the initial goal and to raise even more funds to fuel expansion for Olathe Medical Center’s “Hearts on Patrol” (HOP) program.

Andrew Ellenberg of Entercom Broadcasting worked closely with Lesle Knop, Vice President of Olathe Medical Center's Charitable Foundation and Kate Eller, OMC’s Director of Public Relations to spearhead the media effort by recruiting local sponsors who agreed to underwrite a targeted promotional campaign on News Radio 980 KMBZ and Classical 1660 KXTR, two of the cluster’s most upscale properties in Kansas City. The high-profile cause related marketing initiative helped raise $75,000 to place heart defibrillators in patrol cars.

“Our marketing partners at the Olathe Medical Center, Bank of Blue Valley, KVC Behavioral Healthcare and Burns Printing helped us deliver this simple but compelling message to just under 300,000 high net worth consumers: if an emergency vehicle isn’t on the scene in minutes, a sudden cardiac arrest victim cannot survive. “ says Ellenberg. “This initiative proves that the business community and individuals will line up behind a life-saving cause like Hearts on Patrol.”

The community is redoubling its efforts to raise monies so they can place dozens more Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in Olathe Police Department patrol vehicles and Spring Hill Police Department patrol cars.

"As a non-profit organization operating in the healthcare arena where valuable causes are plentiful but funds are scarce, it’s encouraging to see what non-profits, media and private sector businesses can accomplish when we join forces to reach a common goal for the citizens of our communities,” said Renny Arensberg Vice President Marketing and Resource Development for KVC Behavioral Healthcare in Olathe, Kansas.

In the event of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) caused by a potentially fatal heart rhythm, the chance for survival decreases by seven to 10 percent per minute. Nationwide, the chance for survival from SCA is less than seven percent. But, if treatment is administered within five minutes of the event, survival rates increase to 50 percent or better. SCA can happen anytime, anywhere, and at any age. It strikes 1,000 adults every day in the United States. Annually, approximately 350,000 people in the USA die as a result.

In many parts of the country, police officers are often the first to arrive at the scene of a medical emergency. If patrol cars are equipped with AEDs, the chances that an SCA victim will be treated with a defibrillator will significantly increase, as will their chances for survival.

“When asked to support the Hearts On Patrol drive, we knew it was the right thing to do. Bank of Blue Valley has a dedicated commitment to our customers and communities to think beyond today to the needs of tomorrow. Bank of Blue Valley strives to reach out at opportunities such as this,” said Bob Regnier, President Bank of Blue Valley.

For more information about “Hearts on Patrol” call 913-791-4312. If you would like to make a donation, please send a check made payable to the Olathe Medical Center Charitable Foundation, 20333 West 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061.