Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society Donates AEDs to North Shore Community Centres
Monday, October 31, 2011
On November 2, the Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society (GGMS) will donate 10 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be placed in recreational facilities on the North Shore for public access.
An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is an electronic device that can check a person's heart rhythm. With step-by-step instructions, an AED can advise a person of the need for defibrillation (a shock resetting the heart's rhythm) and it can deliver it if needed. An AED is designed to deliver the electrical shock through electrodes attached to a person's body. Public use of AEDs may increase the survival rate for people suffering from Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) or cardiac arrest.
The GGMS will work with the fire departments in the City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver to install the public access defibrillators in community recreation centres, and the fire departments will maintain the equipment.
The AEDs will be at the following locations on the North Shore:
- Harry Jerome Arena
- Karen Magnussen Arena
- William Griffin Community Centre
- Delbrook Community Centre
- Ron Andrews Community Centre
- Mickey McDougall Community Centre
- John Braithwaite Community Centre
- Parkgate Community Centre
- West Vancouver Arena
- Gleneagles Community Centre
Rico Perrotta, president of the Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society, said, “We are very eager to work together with the District of West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and City of North Vancouver to make this a positive change. With the training support from the fire departments in all three municipalities, together we are showing we can make a difference…a positive one that is life saving.”
"The availability of AEDs in our community recreation centres is a significant and proactive safety program that will benefit our community and potentially save lives," says City of North Vancouver Fire Chief, Barrie Penman.
Chief Jim Cook, West Vancouver Fire and Rescue, says: “We are most appreciative of this new equipment and sure that it will save lives in the years to come. Thank you to the Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society for this generous donation.”
“The key to survival in cases of cardiac arrest is prompt intervention,” said District of North Vancouver Fire Chief Victor Penman. “Despite our greatest efforts as emergency responders, sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to intervene fast enough to save a person’s life. With AED’s now more readily accessible in our community centres, the likelihood of more lives being saved increases significantly.”
Join the Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society, The Heart and Stroke Foundation, North Van Rec, West Vancouver Community Services, and the fire departments of North Vancouver City and District, and West Vancouver District, as they celebrate this partnership.
Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: Harry Jerome Arena, 123 East 23rd Street, North Vancouver
About the Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society (GGMS)
The Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society (GGMS) was created in 2008 in memory of, after the tragic loss of Gianfranco at age 35, from sudden cardiac death. He was healthy, fit and a father of three. While playing hockey at Eight Rinks in Burnaby, he collapsed in cardiac arrest. CPR was performed but an automatic external defibrillator (AED) was not available.
GGMS is a BC non-profit society, and has raised funds for AEDs in recreational and community facilities in British Columbia, as well as for the related training of facility staff on the use of the AEDs. For more information visit gfgmemorial.com.
Media Contacts:
Rico Perrotta
President, Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society
604-374-4844
Denise Giammaria
604-205-9414