Newsletter, Summer 2006

Taking The Mikey Message To Heart

David Bell, the newest member of The Mikey Network, understands first-hand the importance of installing MIKEYS in as many public places as possible. On December 2, 2005, the 54-year-old lawyer’s heart stopped beating while he was skiing in Vaile, Colorado. Thanks to the quick actions of his friends and the ski patrol, and the fact that the resort is equipped with defibrillators, he survived the experience.

“I was on an annual trip with five other fellows,” David says. “We skied all morning, and just before lunch, we decided to take one more run.” Although David started down the hill first, he wasn’t at the bottom when his friends gathered there. “They rode back up the chairlift to see if they could locate me, which they did. I was about 270 yards from the bottom of the run, lying face down in the snow. They yelled to the lift operator, who radioed the ski patrol.” CPR didn’t produce a response, but the defibrillator the ski patrols had with them did. “They got a heart rhythm,” David says, “but by that time I had gone somewhere between seven and 10 minutes without aheartbeat.”

Once David’s heart was stabilized, he was taken to a hospital in Denver. “The doctors were concerned about brain damage due to lack of oxygen,” he says, “but luckily, I hadn’t suffered any. I had two stints put in my heart and a permanent defibrillator implanted in my upper chest.” David is a partner with Martin Evans and Bell in Toronto, and by December 12th, he was back in his office working.

“I’m an avid skier,” he says. “I used to play squash five days a week, and I golf whenever I can. I’m not overweight, and I watch what I eat. My experience is proof that this can happen to anyone at any time. Defibrillators don’t bring everyone back, but the ski patrol director told me I was the second person whose life was saved because they have units on the hills. Any chance I get, I encourage people to invest in defibrillators for the places where they work and play.”

Mikey Rises to the Challenge

his past October, The Mikey Network teamed up with Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to host the successful 1st annual Toronto CPR Challenge. In response to recent studies that indicated only 14% of Toronto’s population is currently trained in CPR, Toronto EMS developed the CPR Challenge to help raise awareness about the importance of learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The goal of the CPR Challenge was to provide community outreach and CPR awareness workshops that reaffirmed that public responders (people performing CPR and providing early defibrillation before EMS arrives) are critical, and that their efforts provide SCA victims with a fighting chance and increased survival rates to over 50%.

This year’s CPR Challenge attracted 753 participants, who attended free, 45-minute hands-on training workshops and learned basic adult CPR skills. Participants ranged in age from 12 and up.

Heathwood Homes and The Heron Group of Companies provide ongoing support of public access defibrillation and community leadership.

Plans are in the works to make the 2006 Toronto CPR Challenge bigger, better and more successful.

Presentation at Ted Reeve Arena

Members of the Balmy Beach Club Hockey League, Ward #32
Beaches-East York Councillor Sandra Bussin & Hugh Heron.

In January 2006, a MIKEY was presented to the Ted Reeve Arena at 175 Main Street in Toronto, in memory of John (Jocko) Thompson. Jocko was the captain and team leader, as well as a member of the Balmy Beach Blues (part of the Balmy Beach Club Hockey League) for 37 years. In November 2005, he suffered a cardiac arrest on the ice during a hockey game and died.

The league has rented the ice at Ted Reeve Arena for decades. League members have joined the growing number of Mikey Network members who are helping to save lives through the provision of MIKEYS in as many public places as possible.

The Beat Goes on in Newmarket

Hugh Heron, President of Heathwood Homes and Chairman of The Mikey Network, visited Newmarket Public Library to announce the donation of a MIKEY (Public Access Defibrillator).

Seen here (left to right) holding a MIKEY is Nancy Fish, Chair, Newmarket Public Library and Hugh Heron, Chairman of The Mikey Network along with Kara-Lynne Ashton, Toronto EMS; Linda Peppiatt, Deputy CEO, Newmarket Public Library; Larry Blight, Councillor and Board Member, Newmarket Public Library; and some local students.

Hearts & Generosity

How’s this for a spectacular way to start a life together? Last summer at Andrew Rosen and Deborah Cohen’s wedding, the couple requested that instead of gifts, wedding guests could donate to specific charities, including The Mikey Network. MIKEY has a special significance in their life, as Mike Salem, in whose honour the Network is named, was Andrew’s uncle. Special thanks to Deborah and Andrew for their generosity, and best wishes for a long and happy marriage.

Keep Active at all Stages of Life

By Hugh Heron, Chair of The Mikey Network

I was surfing the Internet, and I discovered that the Physical Activity Unit of the Public Health Agency of Canada publishes Physical Activity Guides for children, youth and older adults. It makes sense, because our bodies are meant to use up the fuel we put into them in the form of food through the activity we engage in–at all ages.

As people grow older, the tendency is to be less active. We keep eating, however, and pumping fuel into our physical machinery. The result is far too often obesity, which increases the chance for heart-related problems.

Keeping active is important. As a principal and partner in the Heron Group of Companies, President of Heathwood Homes, and Chairman of The Mikey Network, I lead a hectic life–but I make a point to exercise regularly. I don't look like the Barcelona soccer player Henrik Larson… yet… but I'm making progress. Every week I do four or five workouts that include cardio and weight training.

The main thing is to do something you enjoy for exercise. My favourite piece of workout equipment is the elliptical trainer, and when I put on the soundtrack to “The Commitments,” there's no stopping me. I figure all this exercise is going to help me live to 150!

The Beat Goes On at the Toronto Zoo

Safety and security at the Toronto Zoo was heightened last summer, when three MIKEYS were donated. These potentially life-saving devices can increase the survival rate of those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest in this public area by up to 50 per cent.

A Heartfelt Commitment

In June 2002, the team at Heathwood Homes and The Heron Group of Companies said good-bye to a partner and dear friend, Mike Salem. Mike was known for his big smile and even bigger heart. That heart gave out one day on a golf course in Muskoka, and “Mikey,” as we called him, passed away from sudden cardiac arrest.

No one knows whether a public access defibrillator might have saved his life that day, but we want to offer other people who experience sudden cardiac arrest a second chance.

The Mikey Network was born out of love and respect for Mikey, who was a warm, caring, sharing person, and whose memory continues to inspire us all.

Mikey's Mission

The Mikey Network is working to create public awareness and provide education about heart healthy lifestyles. Currently we are committed to placing “MIKEYS” (public access defibrillators) in as many high-risk locations as possible so people affected by sudden cardiac arrest might have a second chance at life.

The Story of Cholesterol

The simple facts everyone needs to know

By Registered Dietitian Marsha Rosen

At get-togethers, people often discuss cholesterol levels and what they are doing to lower them. With proper knowledge, you can take charge of your cholesterol – instead of it having control over you!

Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by your liver. It helps to form cell membranes and some hormones. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs. When you eat foods high in saturated fat, they trigger your liver to churn out excess cholesterol, which builds up in your arteries.

There are two types of cholesterol – low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Lipoproteins are combinations of fat and protein made by your body to carry other fats that don’t dissolve in your blood.

LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, carries most of the cholesterol in the blood. When there’s too much LDL, it can combine with other substances to form a plaque – a thick deposit that sticks to artery walls. If a blood clot develops near plaque, reduced blood flow can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

HDL, the “good” cholesterol, transports the substance from different organs to the liver for disposal from the body. HDL may also pick up cholesterol deposited in your arteries and prevent it from building up.

The same risk factors that make you susceptible to heart disease raise your risk of high blood cholesterol: age, family history and gender. Speak to your physician and find out whether you can manage healthy cholesterol levels with diet and exercise alone, or you need pharmaceutical interventions.

(Adapted from an article by Holly McCord, Rodale Press)