DP Foundation Works With 6M2L to Donate 10 AEDs to Santa Cruz Police and Sheriff’s Office
The DP Foundation, a nonprofit honoring the legacy of Daniel Phelps, has donated 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Santa Cruz Police Department and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, expanding access to lifesaving equipment and strengthening emergency response across the county.
The Foundation was created in memory of Daniel Phelps, a University of Washington men’s soccer alumnus who passed away from sudden cardiac arrest in 2015 at age 27.
“Every AED we place is a tribute to Daniel’s legacy and a step toward improving survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest,” said Adam Lang, Founder and President of the DP Foundation.
“This December marks 10 years since Daniel passed, and in his honor, we are proud to donate 10 AEDs to the Santa Cruz Police Department and Sheriff’s Office to help save more lives.”
Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante underscored the importance of AEDs in patrol cars, saying: “Our officers are often first on scene, arriving minutes before medical personnel. Having AEDs in our vehicles is critical and can truly mean the difference between life and death.”
“This donation significantly enhances our capacity to respond to cardiac emergencies,” said Lt. Christopher Shearer of the Sheriff’s Office. “Because our deputies are frequently the first to arrive on scene, this equipment directly improves our ability to save lives. We sincerely appreciate the DP Foundation’s dedication to supporting community safety.”
This donation was coordinated by Hilary Gates, a new Santa Cruz resident and founder of Six Minutes to Live (6M2L), a nonprofit focused on improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest.
To date, the DP Foundation has donated more than 75 AEDs nationwide and supports youth heart screenings, community CPR/AED training, and emergency-preparedness advocacy. For this donation, the DP Foundation procured Defibtech AEDs and protective cases from SaveStation. For more information, visit https://danielphelpsfoundation.org/