On January 24, 2008, the Brantford Regional Real Estate Association donated a Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) to the Civic Centre Auditorium. The PAD program places defibrillators in areas where there is a likelihood of someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. Arenas, sports facilities, golf courses, senior centers, transit terminals and recreational halls are just a few examples of where defibrillators have been placed. Each defibrillator costs $3,000 and when one is purchased a Donor Plaques is displayed.
“It is a great feeling for our Association, on behalf of our membership of REALTORS®, to donate this valuable Public Access Defibrillator,” said 2007 President, Mira Meszaros. “ Ongoing contributions are continually made throughout the year from our individual REALTORS®, our brokerages and our Association. It is our way of giving back to the residents of Brantford and Brant County.”
This will be the second of two defibrillators donated to the Civic Centre Auditorium . The first was donated by the Gretzky Foundation last February. Thanks to donors such as the Wayne Gretzky Family, the Provincial government, and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the city has been the recipient of 30 units but still need more.
“The Heart and Stroke Foundation is making possible the purchase, installation and associated training for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be placed in communities across the province to save lives,” says Rocco Rossi, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. “With the help of individuals, community groups and corporate sponsors such as the Wayne Gretzky Foundation and the Brantford Real Estate Association, one day AEDs will become as commonplace as fire extinguishers in Ontario.”
Pictured (left to right): Brantford Regional Real Estate Executive Officer, Louise Sharland; Community Awareness Committee Chairperson, Gerry Kempers; 2007 President, Mira Meszaros; Jane Curtis – President, Brantford Chapter, Heart & Stroke Foundation and City Councilor, Richard Carpenter.
