SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital
August 3, 2026
Agnesian HealthCare Foundation places AEDs at three City of Waupun locations
WAUPUN — A grant from the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation is providing publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to individuals who utilize programs or services at three City of Waupun locations.
The new AEDs will be available at the Waupun Baseball Complex on East Lincoln Street, Waupun Recreation Arena on Spring Street, and the Waupun Aquatic Center on County Park Road.
“The City of Waupun is incredibly grateful to the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation for making these life-saving AEDs available in our community spaces,” according to Kathy Schlieve, City of Waupun administrator. “By placing AEDs at these specific locations, we’re expanding access to critical emergency resources where families, youth and visitors gather every day. These devices provide peace of mind and, more importantly, the potential to save lives when every second counts. This partnership helps make Waupun an even safer place to live, work, and play.”
Approximately 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur each year in the United States, and nearly 90% are fatal, making sudden cardiac arrest a leading cause of death.
Most of these deaths are due to the sudden loss of heart function, known as sudden cardiac arrest. Chances of survival from sudden cardiac arrest diminish rapidly – by approximately 7% to 10% for every minute without immediate CPR or defibrillation.
AEDs play a critical role within communities to help improve survival rates. An AED uses an electric shock to help the heart return to a normal rhythm of contraction. AEDs are designed so that any bystander can safely use them, following simple voice and visual prompts. They will only deliver a shock when it is medically necessary.
Their use is strongly supported by leading health organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross, as part of the “chain of survival” for cardiac emergencies.
“We’re proud to offer these life-saving devices to area businesses and organizations thanks to the generosity of our donors,” says Deb Winterhack, Agnesian HealthCare Foundation director of development. “We know that AEDs do make a difference for individuals in sudden cardiac arrest. In fact, studies have repeatedly shown the importance of immediate bystander CPR plus defibrillation when given within three to five minutes of a patient collapsing. Having more AEDs available throughout our community will make a difference for someone when seconds count during a cardiac event. We are gratified to be able to help make our community a safer place to live and work.”
For more information about available AED grants, contact the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation at 920-926-5418.
