Video Source: Global News
Source: Castanet
Neighbours Unite to Improve Emergency Preparedness
The residents of a street in Kelowna’s Wilden neighbourhood have banded together in an effort to save lives.
They applied for a grant and put their own money into the purchase of a AED (Automated External Defibrillator) that has been installed on the fence of one of the homes along Ledge Rock Court.
The idea started with Cathy and Russ Van de Sype.
“My husband actually had a heart attack 10/11 years ago and we have our own portable AED that we take with us when we travel, or when we go anywhere, just in case. And I’ve always thought this neighbourhood idea was a great one. Then it benefits everyone who’s close by, not just ourselves,” Cathy told Castanet.
She spoke to some of the people on her block, including Sandi Kowalyshyn.
“The reason that I jumped on the opportunity was because I have had a couple of my friends, at a very young age, pass away of heart attacks. Unfortunately, it just happened in the last couple of weeks,” said Kolwalyshun.
Van de Sype reached out to someone she knows about getting a SaveStation AED installed on the fence outside her home.
The neighbours worked together to apply for a City of Kelowna Strong Neighbourhood Grant and were successful. The city and Central Okanagan Foundation agreed to cover $1,500 of the approximate $4,000 cost of the SaveStation.
To read more visit: Castanet
