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WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Defribillators Have you ever thought about what you would do if you were present when someone had a sudden cardiac arrest? Michael Hughes was a young, small business owner who was married to Julie. They had just had their first child, a daughter, Georgie. At the time, Michael was in his early thirties. On the 29 April 2013 Michael was having a shower when he collapsed experiencing a fatal cardiac arrest. Because of Michael’s untimely death due to the sudden cardiac arrest, Julie and a small band of close friends established the Michael Hughes Foundation. The Michael Hughes Foundation was established to turn bystanders into first responders in cases of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) by raising community awareness about SCA; working with local, state and federal governments to increase the number of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) in the community and presenting training and information sessions on CPR and the use of AEDs. The Rotary Club of Holroyd became aware of the Michael Hughes Foundation and its’ wonderful work and as a result, invited Michael’s widow Julie, to be a guest speaker at one of their Rotary meetings. So taken was the club with Julie and the Foundation and their work, the board of the club decided to donate to the Rotary Foundation and make Julie a PHF. Further, the club decided to purchase two AED’s and in concert with Cumberland Council identified two locations where AED’s could be placed. The two locations are high use sporting complexes, used all year round. As part of the purchase of the AED’s through the Michael Hughes Foundation, the Foundation provides free training on CPR and the use of the AED’s purchased. In addition, a small brass plate is provided and attached to AED’s signifying the name of the donor. The Michael Hughes Foundation is a not for profit organisation who also raise funds so that AED’s can be purchased and placed in public facilities. If you require information about the Michael Hughes Foundation, please go to their website at www.mhf.life John Heslop, Rotary Club of Holroyd |
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