Help us continue our life-saving efforts

Welcome to the Defibrillate Manatee Foundation

Free AEDs and CPR classes for Non-Profit Organizations

Ernie Withers, a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, has created the Defibrillate Manatee Foundation fund through the Manatee Community Foundation. Defibrillate Manatee Foundation is dedicated to raising these funds to donate AEDs and provide free hands-only CPR training to other non-profit organizations.

Withers' life was saved on February 21st 2023, when he collapsed at Pirate City in Bradenton during a Manatee County Chamber Event hosted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Dr. Patrick DeMeo of the Pirates and his training staff performed CPR and trainer Matt McNamee used an AED to revive him.

The Defibrillate Manatee Foundation made its first donation during the first week of June 2023, which was AED/CPR awareness week. The foundation donated 20 defibrillators to the Bradenton Police Department for their patrol cars. Withers hoped that this gesture would help the police officers save more lives and make Bradenton a safer place.

Currently Defibrillate Manatee Foundation has donated more than 275 AEDs, AED simulators, CPR mannequins and CPR training kits to non-profit organizations. Additionally,  Defibrillate Manatee has helped CPR train hundreds of people.

"I am grateful for the second chance at life that I have been given, and I want to ensure that others have the same opportunity," said Withers. "I believe that facilitating CPR training and having AED’s available in public places can save lives, and that's why I started this foundation."

The Defibrillate Manatee Foundation is currently accepting your 100% tax-deductible donations through the Manatee Community Foundation. 98% of all funds raised will be dedicated to providing free hands-only CPR training and donating AEDs at no charge to non-profit organizations. Defibrillate Manatee Foundation hopes to expand their reach and help more organizations throughout the country. To make your tax-deductible donation please go ManateeCF.org and click Defibrillate Manatee.