The Saving Lives Foundation has donated a Primedic HeartSave myPad AED, together with a DefiSign outdoor wall cabinet, to Lauschaer Carnevalverein e.V. (LCV) in Lauscha, Germany. The new automated external defibrillator has been installed at the entrance area of the Lauscha Cultural Center, where it is available to the public 24 hours a day.

The centrally located device will provide rapid access to potentially life-saving treatment in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest, benefiting both residents and visitors to the town.

Supporting a community with growing Need

The donation addresses a significant need in Lauscha, a town of approximately 3,750 residents in southern Thuringia. In recent years, local medical infrastructure has declined considerably, including the closure of the nearby hospital in Neuhaus am Rennweg. As emergency response times continue to increase in rural areas, early defibrillation can play a crucial role in improving survival chances during cardiac emergencies.

The AED is positioned in a weather-protected and publicly accessible location in the village center. Around 2,000 residents live in the immediate vicinity, while approximately 150,000 tourists visit the famous glassblowing town each year. In addition, the Cultural Center regularly hosts events that attract hundreds of attendees, further increasing the potential impact of the device.

About Lauschaer Carnevalverein e.V.

Lauschaer Carnevalverein e.V. is a non-profit carnival and cultural association founded in 1976. With a large and active membership, the organization plays an important role in community life by preserving local carnival traditions and organizing a variety of cultural events throughout the year, particularly during the traditional German carnival season. The association’s activities bring together residents of all ages and contribute significantly to the social and cultural vitality of Lauscha.

Recognizing the challenges posed by the reduction of local healthcare services, the association has also increased its focus on first-aid and resuscitation training for its members in recent years.

Investing in Saving Lives

With the donation of the Primedic HeartSave myPad AED and DefiSign wall cabinet, the Saving Lives Foundation continues its mission of improving public access to defibrillators and strengthening local emergency response capabilities across Europe.

The new AED provides Lauscha with its first centrally located publicly accessible defibrillator, helping to create a safer environment for residents, visitors, and the many people who gather at the Cultural Center throughout the year. By placing this life-saving equipment at the heart of the community, Lauschaer Carnevalverein e.V. has taken an important step towards protecting lives and enhancing public safety for generations to come.

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Residents and visitors in the Italian municipality of Nazzano now have access to a new publicly available Automated External Defibrillator (AED), thanks to a donation that has significantly strengthened local emergency preparedness. The Saving Lives Foundation donated a Smarty Saver AED, installed in a DefiSign outdoor cabinet, providing round-the-clock access to a vital lifesaving device.

The AED is located in Via Giuseppe Mazzini, a central and highly visible location that is accessible 24 hours a day, ensuring rapid availability in the event of a cardiac emergency.

Supporting the work of the Italian Red Cross

The recipient of the donation, Croce Rossa Italiana – Comitato di Valle del Tevere OdV, is the local Italian Red Cross committee serving communities in the Tiber Valley area north of Rome. The organisation supports several municipalities through emergency medical response, civil protection activities, social assistance programmes, volunteer training, health education, and support for vulnerable residents. Operating across multiple communities in the region, the committee plays an important role in strengthening local resilience and public wellbeing.

Addressing a critical need in Nazzano

The AED project was initiated in response to the absence of a publicly accessible 24/7 defibrillator in Nazzano. Home to approximately 1,320 residents and attracting additional visitors due to its proximity to the Tiber River Natural Reserve and regional transport links, the municipality faced a significant gap in emergency preparedness.

Early defibrillation is one of the most important factors in improving survival rates following sudden cardiac arrest. By placing the AED in a secure outdoor cabinet in a central public area, the entire community—including residents, municipal employees, school staff, tourists, and visitors—now has immediate access to lifesaving equipment whenever needed.

Building a more prepared community

The installation of the AED is only the first step. As a follow-up to the project, Croce Rossa Italiana – Comitato di Valle del Tevere will organise a free Basic Life Support and Defibrillation (BLSD) training course for residents, municipal staff, and teachers. The initiative aims to increase awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and ensure that more people are prepared to respond confidently in an emergency.

A lasting impact

The donation of the Smarty Saver AED and DefiSign outdoor cabinet represents a lasting investment in the safety of Nazzano. Through the collaboration between the Municipality of Nazzano, Croce Rossa Italiana – Comitato di Valle del Tevere, and the Saving Lives Foundation, the community now benefits from a lifesaving resource that is available day and night, helping to protect residents and visitors for years to come.

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The Saving Lives Foundation has donated a Primedic myPad AED, complete with an DefiSign outdoor cabinet, to Jugendzeltplatz Bonn e.V. in Bonn, Germany. The new automated external defibrillator (AED) will be installed in a location that is accessible to visitors at all times, providing an important layer of protection for the thousands of children, young people, volunteers, and group leaders who use the site each year.

Located in Bonn, Jugendzeltplatz Bonn e.V. is a nonprofit organization that operates a year-round youth campground and group accommodation facility. The organization provides a safe and affordable outdoor environment where youth groups, clubs, schools, and other nonprofit organizations can gather, learn, and enjoy nature. The campsite combines outdoor recreation with educational and community-focused activities.

Improving emergency preparedness

The donation addresses a significant gap in emergency response capability at the campground. According to the organization, approximately 10,000 person-days are recorded annually at the site. Despite the large number of visitors, there were previously no nearby AEDs registered in the area, leaving guests without rapid access to a defibrillator in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.

Because the campground welcomes visitors throughout the year and accommodates both daytime and overnight stays, the AED will be available not only to campers and staff but also to anyone present on the premises when an emergency occurs.

Supporting a volunteer-driven nonprofit

Jugendzeltplatz Bonn e.V. is run as a nonprofit organization with a strong volunteer foundation. Much of the work required to maintain and operate the campground is carried out by dedicated volunteers, allowing the organization to keep its facilities accessible and affordable for youth groups with limited budgets.

In its application, the organization explained that financial resources are focused on maintaining essential operations and supporting young visitors. As a result, investing in equipment such as an AED would have been difficult without external support. The donation from the Saving Lives Foundation therefore provides a direct benefit to the many children and teenagers who visit the campground each year, as well as to the volunteers who make its activities possible.

A safer environment for children and youth

The newly donated Primedic myPad AED will help ensure that life-saving treatment can be started within the critical first minutes of a cardiac emergency. By installing the device in an outdoor cabinet with unrestricted access, Jugendzeltplatz Bonn e.V. is creating a safer environment for both day visitors and overnight guests.

The Saving Lives Foundation is proud to support organizations that serve their communities and make a positive difference in people’s lives. Through this donation, the foundation is helping Jugendzeltplatz Bonn e.V. continue its mission of providing memorable outdoor experiences for young people while strengthening safety for everyone who visits the site.

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Since day one, Pieter stands behind our mission to increase survival rates for cardiac arrest victims. We achieved numerous milestones that we will never forget. We look back proudly on the impactful Radio 10 Resuscitation Days with Rob van Someren at unique locations such as Soestdijk Palace, and the moments we were able to donate AEDs live on the radio to organizations in need and our participation in the ERC Congress in Ljubljana.

More and more AEDs have been made available across Europe, allowing us to make a contribution to a “heart-safe” society.

We thank Pieter for his commitment, his excellent collaboration, and the passion with which he has served all these years. While he is handing over the chairmanship to Anne-Marieke Wieman, his legacy remains present in every AED that continues to save lives thanks to the foundation.

Pieter, thank you for everything, and we wish you the very best!

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Nassau, Germany – The Saving Lives Foundation is proud to support Stiftung Diakoniewerk Friedenswarte with the donation of a Smarty AED and a DefiSign outdoor wall cabinet, helping to strengthen emergency preparedness and public safety in the town of Nassau.

The AED has been installed at the entrance area of the foundation’s assisted living facility in Nassau, where it is accessible to residents, visitors and the wider community 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The location was specifically chosen to ensure barrier-free access, particularly for older people and individuals with limited mobility.

Supporting a Long-Standing Care Organization

Stiftung Diakoniewerk Friedenswarte is a long-established Christian charitable foundation based in Bad Ems that provides care and support services for seniors and people in need. Its activities include residential elderly care, assisted living, day care services and ambulatory care, with a strong focus on enabling people to live safely and independently while receiving the support they require. The foundation has a history dating back to the late nineteenth century and continues to play an important role in social and senior care throughout the region.

A Valuable Addition for Residents and Citizens

Stephanie Haas, Neighbourhood Manager of Service Wohnen Nassau, expressed her gratitude for the donation:

“It is reassuring to know that rapid help is available in an emergency. The support from the Saving Lives Foundation provides our residents with an additional sense of security – and that is priceless.”

The Saving Lives Foundation selected the project because of its clear community benefit and its commitment to making the AED available to everyone. Beyond the assisted living residents, the device will serve neighbours, visitors and passers-by, contributing to a safer environment for the entire community.

Building Confidence and Resilience

To ensure long-term reliability, the AED will be maintained and regularly checked by an experienced specialist nurse on a voluntary basis. In addition, the foundation organizes first-aid and resuscitation training sessions for employees, family members and interested citizens, helping to increase awareness and confidence in responding to cardiac emergencies.

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About the Donation
The donated Smarty Saver AED is now part of a critical life-saving network. By placing the device
in an weatherproof cabinet at a local school, the community ensures that both children
and residents have 24/7 access to immediate care in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.

Filling a Critical Gap in Rural Safety

Ponzano Romano is a rural municipality with approximately 1,250 residents. Until now, the area lacked any publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Given its distance from major hospitals and an aging population—where over 10% of residents are over 75 years old—the minutes following a cardiac emergency are vital.

The arrival of this AED, supported by the Croce Rossa Italiana, significantly increases the survival rate for both locals and the many tourists and commuters who visit the region’s natural parks and town square.

The Municipality of Ponzano Romano has decided to install the AED at the local school, a place that represents the future of the community and symbolizes safety, education, and growth for the next generations.

About Croce Rossa Italiana Comitato di Valle del Tevere

The Croce Rossa Italiana Comitato di Valle del Tevere is a branch of the Italian Red Cross, a prominent voluntary organization. Dedicated to public welfare in the Valle del Tevere region, the committee focuses on providing vital emergency medical services, social assistance to vulnerable populations, and public health education.

“This important life-saving device represents a new step forward for the safety of our community” said Arek Karpinski, representing the local Red Cross. “It will ensure a timely and effective response,
especially in a place dedicated to the growth and future of our children.“

The Saving Lives Foundation remains committed to its mission of providing AEDs in underserved areas where they are needed most.

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Improving Survival Rates in a City of 350,000

The need for this donation became clear through the application submitted by Mario Sendarrubias Garcia on behalf of S.E.R.E.M. Despite Alcalá de Henares having a population of over 350,000 inhabitants, the city currently relies on only four local police vehicles equipped with automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

By providing a DefiSign Life AED, the Saving Lives Foundation is helping to bridge this critical gap. The new device will be installed in one of S.E.R.E.M’s light first-response vehicles, ensuring that life-saving technology is mobile and ready to be deployed 24/7 by trained personnel.

About S.E.R.E.M

S.E.R.E.M is a volunteer-driven non-profit providing vital emergency and civic support. Operating entirely without government subsidies, this dedicated team specializes in first aid emergency response, search and rescue operations, and environmental protection within the region.

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The defibrillator allows us to offer immediate assistance in case of an emergency, providing a reassuring sense of security to both our visitors and our team.

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After being selected, our school received a beautiful AED with outdoor cabinet sponsored by the
Saving Lives Foundation

The AED is publicly accessible for the entire neighborhood on the outside wall of the school and the children delivered a letter to all the houses in the neighborhood about the arrival of the AED and additional information about resuscitation.

We thank Public Primary School De Bogerd for their efforts to promote resuscitation.

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Stichting Ambulance Wens Nederland is a Dutch foundation consisting of 270 medically trained voluntary workers who fulfill last wishes of terminally ill patients who are immobile and dependent on transport by ambulances, which are specially designed and developed for this purpose.

We have just received this picture with the AED in a wall cabinet at their office!

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