Five Kiwis suffer from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) every day, and for every minute without CPR or defibrillation, a patient’s chance of survival falls by 10-15%. That’s why access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) is so important.
Cigna New Zealand and GrownUps have partnered with Heart Saver NZ on its Become a Heart Saver campaign.
Together they are on a mission to address the urgent need for AEDs by giving away two units a month to deserving charities, schools and community groups.
Here are last month’s worthy winners!
The Wellington Boys and Girls Institute
The Boys and Girls Institute (BGI) does an incredible job guiding troubled young people towards better futures. There are eight permanent staff and a few hundred mentors at BGI.
For Ross Davis, director of Youth & Community Projects at BGI (pictured above), winning an AED means more than just getting a piece of free medical equipment.
“Winning something like this makes us feel like the community’s supporting us – and you need a bit of encouragement and connection in this line of work. We’ve been thinking that having an AED would be handy, so to win one feels like a blessing and endorsement,” he says.
BGI also runs family days, marae stays, courses and camps. Ross estimates they might have 1000 people through the door of BGI in any one year.
“Having an AED in close proximity for all of these people can only be a good thing,” says Ross.
Ngati Rangi Community Health Centre Inc
Bonnie Sue and a team of six serve the communities of Waimarino, Waiouru, Raetihi
and Ohakune.
The Ngati Rangi Community Health Centre Inc is located on a marae, which also hosts a school and a kohanga as well as kaumatua flats and two private homes.
“There’s just under 80 of us on site at any given time, as well as any clinics we might have or any marae functions next door,” says Bonnie.
“Our AED will be available to anyone who needs it. We’re grateful that we can enhance our service by having one.”
Himitangi Beach Community Patrol
To celebrate their new partnership with Heart Saver, Cigna and GrownUps donated an extra AED to the Himitangi Beach Community Patrol.
The 13 local volunteers of the Himatangi Beach Community Patrol act as unofficial eyes and ears for the police, driving around the coastal town on day and night shifts.
“We’d been discussing the need for an AED but the fact is we have no money,” says Community Patrol trainer Renee van de Weert.
“We’ll have the AED in the vehicle at all times, so when we’re on patrol, people can flag us down if they need us. I hope we never have to use it but I suspect we will.”
Do you know of a community group, school or not-for-profit organisation that would benefit from an AED?
Nominate them today! Visit heartsaver.co.nz for the chance to win one of two AEDs given away each month. It could save a life!
1. What is SCA?
Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart unexpectedly stops functioning. The patient will suddenly become unresponsive and will not be breathing.
2. What do you need to do?
Administer CPR and access an AED as soon as you can. Even if you’re not confident doing CPR, it’s better to do something than nothing.
3. What’s an AED?
An AED is a portable medical device that automatically assesses a patient’s heart rhythm. If defibrillation is needed, it administers an electric shock through the chest wall to the heart.
4. How do I use an AED?
Anyone can use an AED, the machine will guide you through the rescue process using voice or visual prompts.
Get behind Cigna, GrownUps and Heart Saver NZ today to help increase the number of AEDs available in your local community.
