The SHOCKS program is a student-led, non-profit organization with two branches in California. The first branch was founded in the Bay Area and is connected with UC Berkeley, and the more recent branch is in Los Angeles and is connected with the USC Keck School of Medicine.


How we operate:

  • Host educational outreach events with local schools and businesses about cardiac events and AED use.
  • Create training and maintenance plans for schools to receive AED's
  • Contact industry leaders and healthcare institutions for AED donations
  • ​Fundraise in order to purchase certified refurbished AED equipment and pay for installation costs
  • Donate these AED's to primary and secondary schools that would otherwise be unable to obtain an AED for their campus
  • Send letters and statements to the California legislature to advocate for universal AED placements in schools


How YOU can help:

  • Simple things have great power. In our case, donations are greatly appreciated and you are able to donate to the specific goal that interests you. Donate Here.
  • Please spread the word to friends and colleagues. The more voices we have, the more impact we can make. We have a facebook and twitter page as well! 
  • Join our mailing list so you can keep up to date on our current events. We PROMISE that our messages are focused on our current happenings, the mailings will not clutter your inbox, and we will NEVER share any information with any other parties.
  • Sign up to volunteer. If you'd like to share your time with us, we would be happy for help on our outreach events, fundraising, donation appeals, and legislative efforts. To get involved, please email us at: savingheartsofcakids@gmail.com

Why

About 15,000 children die every year due to sudden cardiac arrest. Many of these deaths can be prevented with AEDs.


Donate to help save lives!

-Anjali Doshi, Founder 

As a student athlete in high school, I was aware of others in my community suddenly arresting - whether they were running, playing basketball, or at football practice. I had even heard of healthy children collapsing during PE or while walking to class. I soon learned that many schools, including my team's own high school, did not have AEDs of their own readily accessible, not even around sports facilities. Limited access to AEDs puts youth at huge risk of irreversible organ damage or death if they suffer from heart rhythm irregularity. Abnormal heart rate even for a few minutes can cause irreparable damage to a person's body. Kids are vulnerable.  Some may not know if they are even at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).  Many heart abnormalities in the young go undiagnosed or are not realized until a child experiences an episode.


We need to push for AED accessibility in schools. Nearly 15,000 children die every year due to sudden cardiac arrest in the U.S. Improving AED accessibility would lower the incidence of death due to SCA in children and in adults who, too, would benefit from better accessibility in schools. 

I founded SHOCKS to mobilize change. We need to come together as a community to spread awareness about SCA and raise money to place AEDs in schools across California.


Why Communities Need to Mobilize

Mission

To prevent deaths among school children by increasing AED access in all schools.


Provide community outreach, equipment donation, and training opportunities.

Help the cause.

Terry Peng

OUTREACH OFFICER

​Terry Peng is a New Jersey native and current medical student at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He graduated with a B.S. in biology from Boston College and an MPH from the Tulane University. He has experience working in the Recovery School District and city government of New Orleans. 

Priya Bhattacharjee

OUTREACH OFFICER​
As an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley (Go Bears!), Priya studied Bioengineering with a minor in Creative Writing, simultaneously fostering her interests in medical devices and short fiction. Priya is currently a medical student at the Keck School of Medicine, USC, interested in the intersections between pediatrics, technology, and global health. 


Volunteer

We believe manpower multiplies success.

Join in our fundraising campaigns, community events, and legislative efforts.


​To get involved, please contact us at: savingheartsofcakids@gmail.com

​​Saving Hearts of California Kids

Natasha Doshi

OUTREACH OFFICER

Natasha is a recent USC graduate with her Bachelor’s in Health and Humanities.  She is now pursuing her Master’s in Public Health with an emphasis in health services and policy in the hope of better serving the diverse Los Angeles community. Her interest in public health and research in cardiology at USC led her to the SHOCKS team to promote heart health and safer policies.

Anjali Doshi

FOUNDER & OFFICER

Anjali founded SHOCKS while pursuing her B.A. in Public Health at UC Berkeley and is a current medical student at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Anjali cares about improving cardiovascular health by making health technology accessible to all populations through public health interventions.

April Bunayan

SOCIAL MEDIA OFFICER

April is a Triple Trojan studying her B.S., Masters, and now MD at USC. Her personal health battle inspired her to pursue medicine and help others. Her interests lie in advocacy and creating innovative solutions. She performs health policy research, represents her class as Senator, and hopes to continue to be a force of change.

Brian Tanksley

DESIGN OFFICER

​Brian is currently a medical student at the USC Keck School of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he worked 4 years as a school district theater technician and paraeducator, as well as 8 years at a ski resort as an instructor, ski patroller, and nordic specialist. He believes there is no excuse for any school to lack an AED, and aims to reach that goal.

Kyle Zemeir

OUTREACH OFFICER

Kyle is a graduate of UC Berkeley and has been a member of SHOCKS for two years. He currently works in the medical field at an orthopedic surgery clinic. As a former collegiate student-athlete he is passionate about heart health and understands the importance of raising awareness about SCA.

MEET THE TEAM​

USC Keck School of Medicine   +   UC Berkeley

The SHOCKS Program