Current Newsletter

Portable Reassurance

Having one child with a heart condition is stressful, but Laurie Hobbs is raising three young children who are at risk of developing the same heart-related diseases their father died of at age 31– Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Long QT Syndrome. Knowing that at any time, Joshua (13), Owen (4) and Tyler (2) might experience cardiac arrest, Laurie is on constant alert for anything that might cause an adrenaline release and possibly trigger the condition. In 2006, through Toronto’s SickKids Hospital (a critical partner in The Mikey Network), we donated two MIKEYS to Laurie to help her and her family.

"It’s a difficult diagnosis for parents to deal with," Laurie says. "My husband was never diagnosed with these conditions, which is why he passed away. I had a difficult time coping until we received the MIKEYS, which have made a huge difference in all our lives." Thanks to the MIKEYS, Laurie was able to take the children to their cottage last summer, where she says they have wonderful memories of their dad. "The MIKEY is easy to carry," she adds. "I take it everywhere, even to WalMart. I feel like I’m a better mother with the defibrillator so handy." Laurie and most of her family members have been trained by Toronto EMS in how to use the MIKEYS. "What a coincidence that my husband’s name was also Mike," she says. "Helping to save lives is a wonderful way to honour Mike Salem’s memory."

Life-Saving HELP

(L-R): Mike Brzozowski, MD, FRCP Medical
Director, Pad Program at Sunnybrook-Osler;
Paul Price, Squash Professional; Sam
Webster, "the save"; Morty Henkle,
Executive Director of The Mikey Network;
John Hickey, Toronto Racquet Club;
KL Ashton, Supervisor Toronto EMS for
the Cardiac Safe City Program.

On November 2, 2006, the Toronto Racquet Club was the scene of a MIKEY in action. One of the visiting Toronto & District league players, 36-year-old Sam Webster, came off the court at the completion of his match, collapsed and went into sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Within seconds, CPR was begun. There was no pulse, so it was decided to use a defibrillator. Three weeks before, The Toronto Racquet Club had purchased a MIKEY, which was installed just six days before the cardiac arrest. "I was extremely lucky that things came together so well," Sam says. "I’m amazed that the club had a defibrillator and people onsite who were trained to use it. I feel great, and I’m looking forward to receiving a clean bill of health so hopefully, I can play squash again. I’m living proof that The Mikey Network is helping to save lives."

MIKE SALEM - A Legacy of Life

We were in shock. Mike was one of the industry’s most respected professionals, and his passing left a void in the Canadian development industry. Mike was both an accomplished businessman and an exceptional human being, who was as loved as he was looked up to. He was kind, generous, and had a heart as big as his sense of humour.

Profoundly affected by Mike’s death and his contagious love of life, at Heathwood we discussed how we could honour Mike’s memory. Mike was a positive, caring person – a fact we used to turn our grief into good work. In 2003, The Mikey Network was born with the goals of inspiring heart-healthy living and placing public-access defibrillators (PAD) called MIKEYS in high-risk locations.

We’ll never know whether having a PAD at the golf course would have saved Mike’s life – but paying tribute to his memory through The Mikey Network would have meant a lot to him. It means a lot to his family as well.

To date, The Mikey Network has placed dozens of MIKEYS in efforts to make the GTA a cardiac safe region. Who would have known four years ago how far Mike’s inspiration would take us? Mike’s professional accomplishments were well respected in the industry, but the most poignant legacy he leaves is his personal warmth – and a second chance at life for people who experience SCA.

The Mikey Network helps to preserve the memory of Mike Salem and lets the beat go on…

Pedal Power

During the summer of 2006, university student Mark Longo pedaled his bicycle across Canada to raise awareness and funds for The Mikey Network. Mark’s father is Silvio Longo, one of the partners at Heathwood Homes and The Heron Group. Mark started on his journey from Victoria, BC in May. It took him 70 days, during which he endured high winds and fluctuating temperatures. Along the way, cyclists from different towns joined him for sections of the ride to show their support. He also attracted attention from the press who reported on his progress in print and on television, which was great for The Mikey Network.

When Mark reached Toronto, he stopped by Ryerson University, where a MIKEY was donated to President Sheldon Levy. Mark finished his ride in July in St. John’s, NL. It’s inspiring to know there are young people out there who have this much integrity.

Stacks of Help Protecting our Protectors

(L-R): MIKEY Chair Hugh Heron, Principal and Partner,
The Heron Group of Companies and President of
Heathwood Homes; Alok Mukherjee, Chair, Toronto
Police Services Board; Deputy Toronto Police Chief
Keith Forde and Bruce Farr, Chief of Toronto
Emergency Medical Services.

In August 2006, The Mikey Network donated 56 MIKEYS to Toronto Police Service, out of respect for the officers who provide such critical community service. These units are designated for their facilities, courthouses and collision centres across the GTA. The total value of this donation is $200,000 – making this the largest single donation by the Network since it was established in 2003. Toronto Police Chief William Blair says, “With a defibrillator in most TPS facilities including every division, my officers and members of the public will be safer thanks to The Mikey Network.”

“At Heathwood Homes, we’ve talked for years about how important the police are and how much they do to protect our communities,” Hugh Heron adds. “The donation by The Mikey Network is an example of the community giving back to these dedicated professionals.”

EDUCATION IS KEY

The Mikey Network is making strides in educating the public about heart-healthy lifestyles. The Mikey Scholarship was established at Ryerson University for a graduate student in the Nutrition Sciences program. In addition, Toronto EMS with the help of the Mikey Network, held the Toronto CPR Challenge in the summer of 2006, offering free CPR lessons in community centres across the GTA.

This is only the beginning of what's to come in the future in the way of education.

The IMPORTANCE of giving

By Morty Henkle, Executive Director

Since Heathwood Homes and The Heron Group founded The Mikey Network, our “network” has expanded to include a remarkable number of donors and volunteers. Everyone who donates becomes a member, and each person does make a difference. The Network appreciates both individual and corporate donations, and thanks those who bring forth our mission statement.

The First Canada's 911 Motorcycle Ride

On September 29, 2006, Canada’s first-ever police-escorted motorcycle ride began in the city of Kingston. Called “Canada’s 911 Ride,” this event raised funds to create scholarship funds for the families of fallen police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, victims of violent crimes, AND to support The Mikey Network. The ride began in Kingston and ended at Woodbine Race Track in Toronto. On the way, participants stopped at the Ontario Fire College in Gravenhurst, where Executive Director Morty Henkle made a MIKEY donation to Principal Fred McLennan.

In addition, on the Friday evening of the 911 Ride, a 2006 Honda VTX 1300 Motorcycle was raffled off with the proceeds going to The Mikey Network. We thank the 911 Ride’s organizers for including us in the list of recipients who benefited from their efforts. Find out more at www.canadas911ride.com.

MIKEYS on Wheels

A Critial Part of our Community

Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS), which is a founding partner of The Mikey Network, operates 9-1-1 services. During the summer, the Network donated two mountain bicycles and a rescue cart, each equipped with a MIKEY, to Toronto EMS. They will be used in life-saving efforts in crowded public places where full-size vehicles can’t get through easily.

The life-saving shock of a defibrillator is more successful when delivered within two to six minutes of SCA. On average it takes emergency crews more than eight minutes to respond to the scene, and a cardiac arrest victim has less than a five per cent chance of survival in these cases. A public-access defibrillator such as a MIKEY can increase these odds up to 50 per cent.

Mikeys, Mikeys Everywhere

The Mikey Network is placing Mikeys across the province in schools, community centres, municipal offices, marinas, libraries, gyms, YMCAs, hockey arenas, seniors communities and even the Toronto Zoo – places that experience traffic from people of all ages, because this problem is cross-generational. In each location onsite staff are trained in their use.

You really ARE what you eat!

by Marsha Rosen, RD (Registered Dietitian)

Eating well doesn’t have to mean rice cakes and alfalfa sprouts. With the kaleidoscope of foods and beverages available today, you can make healthy choices that are tasty and filling. Remember the three C’s – choice, commitment and common sense. Eat regular meals and snacks, lower your fat and sodium intake, raise your fibre intake, limit portion sizes, drink plenty of water, and consult a registered dietitian if you need guidance. Remember, for optimum health, food intake should work hand-in-hand with exercise. Keep active.