Medtronic Foundation to Fund School Programs that Save Lives from Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Foundation’s “HeartRescue” Program Focuses Grants on School-Based Initiatives Designed to Create a New Generation of People Prepared to Act When SCA Strikes

The Medtronic Foundation today announced new grant guidelines for its HeartRescue program. In 2008, funding priority will be given to school programs that educate students about sudden cardiac arrest and prepare them to act in an emergency.

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), an abrupt loss of heart function caused by irregular electrical activity in the heart, is a leading cause of death throughout the world. Because survival depends greatly on immediate response with CPR and automated external defibrillators (AEDs), prompt action from bystanders is integral to improve overall community survival rates.

To increase the number of bystanders trained in CPR and AED use, the 2008 HeartRescue program will focus U.S. grants on schools, school districts, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that develop comprehensive school-based programs that will prepare a new generation of people to recognize SCA when it happens and take action when it does.

Priority funding will be given to new initiatives that demonstrate effective education and training programs or emergency response planning that would include CPR/AED training for designated responders, as well as students at one or more grade levels each year. Grant funds may not be used to purchase AEDs.

Guidelines for Canada and Europe will also include school-based initiatives, as well as funding first responder and public access defibrillation efforts, to meet the different needs of each country.

During the past eight years, the Medtronic Foundation has partnered with more than 150 communities and organizations around the world, providing more than $4 million in HeartRescue grants. These groups promote the benefits of early defibrillation and work to train community members on CPR and AED use.

The deadline for application is Feb. 15, 2008. Applications and additional program guidelines are available at http://www.medtronic.com/foundation/programs_hr.html

About Medtronic and the Medtronic Foundation

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com, NYSE: MDT) headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. The Medtronic Foundation is committed to improving the health of people and communities. Its grant making is focused in three areas: health, education and community.