Heat puts lives on the line

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) -  In this brutal heat, many take for granted the luxury of air conditioning. But for some people, there's no choice about how to keep cool. And this inescapable and ongoing heat could put some people's lives on the line.

Katie Berger hasn't had much to smile about lately. The constantly high temperatures have taken a toll on the 65-year-old. She's recovering from congestive heart failure. 

Her summer started without an air conditioner.

"It just blew out I couldn't afford to buy another one," she said.

Berger lives in an east side apartment complex where air conditioning is a luxury. Fans fill many of the windows in her block.

"We had two fans. Someone gave us an extra one, and it still wasn't enough air for me," Berger said.

The lack of air conditioning isn't just uncomfortable. Doctors say it can be extremely dangerous. Especially for seniors like Berger.

"The two major concerns are dehydration and heat stroke. Their actual body temperature can climb to dangerous levels," said Dr. Marcus Hendry, emergency room physician at St. Vincent Health.

Berger's fortune changed thanks to CICOA, a local not-for-profit that cares for seniors in need and provides free air conditioners and fans to its clients. The organization gave Berger a wall unit to cool her apartment down.

"It was a very dire situation. Mrs. Berger and her husband had been in the outside hallway most of the night trying to get cool air," said Judy Oakley, who works for CICOA.

Because of the string of hot temperatures, CICOA has run out of wall units and has only two fans left to give away. The organization is accepting donations that will be used to purchase additional  fans and air conditioning units. For more information, check out the Client Assistance Fund at www.cicoa.org.