Heart health affects everyone, and therefore, everyone should be prepared to protect themselves in the case of a cardiac event. This is why people from across the Region gathered to join the Play for Jake/Bolt for the Heart walk/run, which raises funds for automatic external defibrillator (AED) donations.
Play for Jake Foundation and Bolt for the Heart have teamed up to put on this year’s race in La Porte on Saturday, July 27 at Fox Memorial Park’s Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater. The race began on Truesdale Avenue between Hoelocker Drive and McClung Road at 8 a.m.
“I like the setting and I like the cause that we’re raising money for,” Francisan Health employee, Lindsay Koselke said.
Bolt for the Heart and Play for Jake Foundation have worked together to host this event for six years now, raising money for AEDs for a host of first responders and various organizations. Thanks to their efforts, there have been AEDs in all La Porte County law enforcement vehicles since late 2023.
“We’ve got 5K and 10K events and this is our sixth annual one. All of the funds that we raise during those races goes to pay for the AEDs for all of our first responders’ vehicles,” said Julie West, Jake’s mother and the founder of the Play for Jake Foundation.
After her son, Jake, lost his life to sudden cardiac arrest while playing football at La Porte High School, West founded the Play for Jake Foundation in 2013 to aid in the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest in youth through awareness, screenings, and AED donations.
While Play for Jake Foundation and Bolt for the Heart hosted the event, both organizations are grateful to all who sponsored the event. Sponsors included Franciscan Health, Indy Dental Group, ZOLL Medical Corporation, Anthony's Chophouse, Greg & Janice Elsner, McGowan Insurance Group, Inc., Heart Reach Medical, Current Publishing, Orangetheory Fitness, Runners Forum, Indiana University Health, Performance Services, Hotel Carmichael, and Indianapolis Colts.
“It’s incredible. Our community has been amazing,” West said. “They step up, help out, and lend a hand any chance they can. They are the ones that make all of this possible, and they make it so we can purchase the AEDs and place them in our first responders’ vehicles.”
Learn more about the annual Play for Jake/Bolt for the Heart walk/run by visiting the Play for Jake Foundation and Bolt for the Heart websites.