Automated external defibrillators.

The distribution of them were what many agencies in Albert Lea that respond to medical emergencies on Friday were glad to accomplish.

Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, Naeve Health Care Foundation, Albert Lea Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and the Freeborn County Fire Association announced the completion of the automated external defibrillators portion of the fundraising campaign, “The Beat Goes On.”

Representatives from each organization gathered Friday at the medical center. Thirty-eight defibrillators were purchased with donations, 30 of which will be distributed among the Albert Lea Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Freeborn County Township Departments, Albert Lea Family Y and Albert Lea City Arena.

“This project is a great example of something we could achieve as a group, that we couldn’t do individually,” said Dr. Mark Ciota, CEO of Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.

“The Beat Goes On,” was a $327,000 community effort to raise money for crucial, cutting-edge cardiac care equipment for area first responders and the medical center’s ambulance services, cardiology, and cardiac rehab departments.

The campaign benefitted four different areas: Purchasing defibrillators for area first responders, the latest cardiac monitors for the medical center’s ambulances, an enhanced external counter pulsation treatment system for the cardiology department, and a new computer system for the cardiac rehab department.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles and Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary recently made a donation to “The Beat Goes On” to help purchase two automated external defibrillators with grant dollars from the national Eagles organization. “The Beat Goes On” has received similar donations from area businesses throughout the year.