Surviving a cardiac arrest can be costly. Jeff did not have long-term disability coverage, and with his lengthy hospital stay and rehabilitation, he quickly used up his sick days. Plus, his government rehab coverage ended in December 2009. After a year, he's still unable to work. Luckily, Jeff has coworkers and community members with big hearts.
Insp. Robert Buck of the Hamilton Police Service says, "A call went out and each member of the service who wanted to could volunteer to donate up to three of their own [sick] days for Jeff, and that meant he could build up his sick bank again." Over 700 days were gathered – enough to keep Jeff on payroll for more than two years. Jeff plans to be back at work long before that.
Buck played a key role in organizing a now annual golf tournament that helped pay for Jeff's rehabilitation. The tournament, held in June 2009, raised $20,000. In addition, friends and family have made donations, including a neighbour who gave Jeff a cheque for $1,000, and a stranger from Vancouver who sent him $100, likely after learning about his story in an online newspaper report.
The ABCs of CPR
What is CPR? CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It's an emergency treatment for people whose hearts have stopped beating and who are not breathing. Chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration help move blood (and oxygen) from the heart to the brain, which may help prevent brain death and prepare the heart to restart after defibrillation. People may stop breathing after a cardiac arrest, a stroke, a drug overdose or another severe physical trauma.
Why do I need to know CPR? You don't have to be in emergency services or work with children; you never know when you might need CPR to save a life. For example, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, a cardiac arrest occurs every 12 minutes in Canada. Most people are at home when their hearts stop beating.
How can I learn CPR? Take a class. In four to six hours you'll learn the skills you need to save someone's life. Contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation, St. John Ambulance or the Canadian Red Cross to find a class near you.
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