POLK COUNTY — According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, about 90% of cardiac arrests that happen outside a hospital each year are fatal.

What You Need To Know

  • After losing her fiance, Michael Culpepper, to cardiac arrest, Melanie Culpepper took his last name and founded Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation in his honor

  • The goal is to distribute defibrillators to local businesses and other locations

  • Each year the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation issues scholarships to EMTs, nurses and firefighters

  • On Saturday, the nonprofit will host a family event at Tanner’s Lakeside from noon to 7 p.m.

However, a simple medical device, an automated external defibrillator (AED), can save lives.

The Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation has been making AEDs available to local businesses in Polk County.

The nonprofit was founded in honor of Michael Culpepper.

For 34 years, founder Melanie Brown Culpepper has been serving her community in more ways than one.

As a hairstylist, she focuses on helping her clients look their best, but she also wants them to feel their best, as well.

“I actually had the first-time client come in yesterday, and her mother was with her and she actually had a shirt on that had a heartbeat on it and the flat line. And I asked her, ‘You know, about the shirt,’ and she actually told me she had a heart condition.”

It’s a critical condition Melanie knows about all too well. 

In July 2020 her fiance, Michael Culpepper, died from cardiac arrest. 

After the tragedy, she took his last name and founded Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation in his honor.

The goal is to distribute defibrillators to local businesses and other locations.

“My first one went up in August 2021,” she said. 

She’s also out to educate the community about heart health. 

“They were there for me at one of the toughest times in my life,” she said. “It was part of my healing and grieving process.” 

Melanie says she didn’t have an AED on site at the time of her fiance’s death, but she wants others to have that option.

“I couldn’t save him, but I was out to save somebody else. I wanted to honor Culpepper and let him know that he did not die in vain. So that’s why I chose to do that.” she said tearfully.

Recently, she installed her 20th defibrillator at a local bar.

Culpepper’s Cardiac Foundation makes AED’s available to businesses in Polk County.
Saturday, the foundation will host a family event at Tanner’s Lakeside.
Melanie Culpepper founded non-profit in honor of her late fiancee Michael Culpepper who died of cardiac arrest. @BN9 pic.twitter.com/pmnDKVaPOH

— Fadia Mayté Patterson, M.S. (@FadiaTVNews)

“This is refurbished which saves us $4,000. It’s $5,000 brand new,” she said.

Fire Medic Eric Shimkus helps out by showing people how to use it. 

“It could happen anywhere, so putting an AED in places like this is needed,” he said.

Melanie says this is her way to share Michael’s story and give back to the community that supported her during one of the toughest times in her life. 

Now they’re about to witness a joyful moment because she’s engaged again.

“It feels great to have a partner like this on your journey,” she said.

It’s a journey that includes honoring her late fiance by taking a tragedy and turning it into an opportunity to help others. 

Each year the Culpepper Cardiac Foundation issues scholarships to EMTs, nurses and firefighters. 

The nonprofit will host a family event at Tanner’s Lakeside on Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m.