The Barriere Curling Club (BCC) recently received funding support from the North Thompson Communities Foundation (NTCF) for a very important lifesaving piece of equipment. The curling arena now has an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) a portable device that can be used to treat a person whose heart has suddenly stopped working.
"Minutes matter when responding to a cardiac arrest and having an AED available could potentially save a life," BCC vice president, Evelyn Pilatzke told Black Press, "The Barriere Curling Rink regularly hosts large gatherings of the public, so the AED is an important piece of emergency equipment to have. We are so grateful for the generous grant provided by the North Thompson Communities Foundation and their support of so many community organizations in the valley."
"Granting to organizations in the valley that do so much for our communities and residents is our priority. We didn't hesitate when the Barriere Curling Club requested funds for an AED," said NTCF chair Louise Lodge.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada's website states that an AED is a small, portable device used to identify cardiac rhythms and deliver a shock to correct abnormal electrical activity in the heart. As a result of the sophisticated electronics in an AED the operator will only be advised to deliver a shock if the heart is in a rhythm which can be corrected by defibrillation. When an AED and CPR are immediately available, the chance of survival from sudden cardiac arrest is substantially improved. Combined with CPR, the use of an AED may increase the likelihood of survival by 75 per cent or more.
"The North Thompson Community Foundations has come through, in a big way, for the Barriere Curling Club. We are a multi-use facility which encompasses all age groups. Being equipped with an AED ensures all will have the benefit of interceptive equipment if a cardiac issue should occur. The BCC will be scheduling training sessions for its members. Having this apparatus makes our facility safer and having the NTCF fund this project demonstrates their commitment to our communities in the valley. We want to thank the foundation for this essential emergency life saving device," said long-standing BCC director, Bernice Randrup.
The North Thompson Communities Foundation awards grants through local charitable organizations generated from responsibly managed donations and legacies which promote community capacity building and unity throughout the North Thompson Valley, covering an area from Blue River to McLure.
If you are interested in learning more about the North Thompson Communities Foundation and their grant application process or becoming a donor or board member, you can find them at their website: http://www.ntcommunitiesfoundation.com/ or via email:ntcommunitiesfoundation@gmail.com.
