Public Safety at the Heart of Donation

A life-threatening incident at a Mackay sports event has inspired a local family and a local business to join forces to supply an automated external defibrillator (AED) unit at the local basketball stadium.

Westfund Health Insurance has joined the Donovan family of Mackay in providing access to this lifesaving device for local basketballers.

A 14 year old player sustained a heart attack at the Mackay basketball stadium recently, while taking part in a representative team trial.

In a fortunate turn of events, a number of nurses were present and managed to administer the necessary CPR until emergency medical teams arrived.

Representatives from Mackay basketball gratefully received the AED unit from members of the Westfund team and local player Emity Donovan and father Justin last week.

Westfund Health Insurance was pleased to be able to assist with the delivery of the defibrillator device to be positioned at Mackay basketball stadium.

“Westfund is committed to helping increase awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in our communities and to assist in funding AED units where they are needed across our regional areas,” said Grahame Danaher, Westfund CEO at the handover.

“As a local Mackay family we are pleased to be able to contribute to this cause and to raise awareness of the importance of as well as the provision of AED units in public spaces,” said Westfund Executive Manager Eyecare, Melissa Donovan.

“My girls are avid basketballers so as a family I feel it important to give back to the community in this important way,” she said.

Westfund, along with partner the Defibshop, promotes Here for Hearts, a programme which allows AED units to be subsidised throughout its care centre communities. This year’s focus is on public schools.

The donation was gratefully received by Mackay Basketball.

“Mackay Basketball and its members, are exceedingly grateful to Westfund and the Donovan family for their very kind donation of a defibrillator machine,” said Mackay Basketball Inc. Operations Manager Ben Faulkner.

“A number of different sporting and community events are held at the McDonald’s Mackay Stadium, and after the incident here in July, the acquisition of a defibrillator machine is an invaluable asset to our facility.”

“While we have our fingers crossed that the AED never has to be used, but now with thanks to Westfund and the Donovan family, Mackay Basketball now has the equipment to give someone in cardiac trouble the best chance to survive.”