City of Columbia, Columbia Police Department, HRTHUDL, and Prisma Health unite to strengthen cardiac emergency response across Columbia
March 19, 2026
The partnership aims to equip every Columbia Police Department frontline vehicle with an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED, strengthening emergency response efforts and increasing survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest across Columbia.
“Partnering with Connor is an honor,” said City of Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson. “This initiative through HRTHUDL is a true call to action—equipping our citizens and business owners with the ability to invest in a simple, effective tool that is tangible and will save lives.”
Sudden cardiac arrest survival decreases by approximately 10 percent for every minute without CPR or defibrillation. In South Carolina, emergency response time to cardiac arrest averages seven to nine minutes, while brain injury can begin within four to six minutes without oxygen. Law enforcement officers often arrive first on these emergency calls, frequently within one to four minutes, positioning them to provide critical, life saving intervention.
The initiative’s goal is to raise 600,000 dollars to fully equip approximately 300 Columbia Police Department frontline vehicles with AEDs. The cost of one AED is approximately 2,000 dollars.
“Every second matters in a cardiac emergency,” said Columbia Police Chief, Skip Holbrook. “Our officers are often the first to arrive on scene, and equipping every frontline vehicle with an AED ensures they have the tools necessary to preserve life when time is critical. This initiative strengthens our commitment to the sanctity of life and enhances our ability to serve our community in moments that matter most. We are grateful for the partnership with HRTHUDL and Prisma Health as we work together to increase survival outcomes and make Columbia safer and healthier for everyone.”
Businesses, organizations and community members are encouraged to join this life saving effort by supporting the campaign and helping expand access to critical cardiac emergency equipment across Columbia. Donations and additional information are available at https://www.hrthudl.org/cpdaeds.
“My life was saved because people were equipped and willing to act,” said Connor Shaw, Founder of HRTHUDL. “Together, we can ensure that the same opportunity exists for others. When CPR and defibrillation are delivered within the first few minutes, survival rates can increase by up to 70 percent. I’m grateful for the leadership of the City of Columbia and the Columbia Police Department for embracing and championing this life-saving mission. We invite and need businesses, organizations, and individuals to join this coalition and help create more survivors across our community.”
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in South Carolina, accounting for nearly one in three deaths statewide. Sudden cardiac arrest can strike without warning, and survival decreases by up to 10 percent with every minute that passes without CPR or defibrillation. While average EMS response time ranges from seven to nine minutes, brain injury can begin in as little as four minutes, underscoring the importance of equipping first responders with immediate access to life saving AED technology.
Red Columbia Campaign
This initiative is part of the City’s broader Go Red Columbia campaign, which takes place annually from February through March in partnership with the American Heart Association. The campaign focuses on raising awareness about heart disease, the leading cause of death Go among women, while encouraging residents to take a more proactive role in their health through education, prevention and lifestyle changes. Through community events, wellness activities, screenings and fundraising efforts, Go Red Columbia works to generate critical resources that support heart health initiatives and life-saving programs throughout the community.
About HRTHUDL
HRTHUDL is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping communities to respond to sudden cardiac arrest while sharing powerful survival stories that inspire action. The organization focuses on placing AEDs in schools, businesses, parks and recreation facilities and emergency vehicles, providing hands only CPR training and offering youth heart screenings.
HRTHUDL was founded by Connor Shaw, former University of South Carolina quarterback, the winningest quarterback in school history and the program’s all time touchdown leader. After surviving a sudden cardiac arrest, Shaw launched HRTHUDL to help ensure others have the same chance at survival through preparedness and access to life saving equipment.
For more information, visit www.hrthudl.org.
