The Beat Goes on with Heathwood Homes' "Cardiac Safe City"

At a special presentation ceremony, Heathwood Homes today announced that is is donating its first group of Public Access Defibrillators (PAD's) t Toronto Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and its innovative"Cardiac Safe City" public awareness program.

The donation of 10 PAD's is the first of many which the respected Toronto-based home builder plans to give through its new "Mikey Network Fund", planned in memory of Michael Salem.

In his honour, all the defibrillators which Heathwood donates will be called "Mikeys" and placed in high risk public places throughout the GTA. Although the fund is being administered through Toronto EMS, some Mikeys will be placed with their affiliate organizations in the municipalities surrounding Toronto including York, Peel, Durham, and Halton Regions.

"Heathwood Homes is the first major corporate sponsor to join our 'Cardia Safe City' initiative," says Bruce Farr, acting chief of Toronto EMS. "We're very pleased to have them on board with us, in a partnership that will grow and ultimately give hundreds of people a second chance at life."

Sudden cardiac arrests (SCA) are among the leading cause of death in Canada and often strike without warning. Toronto paramedics respond to more than 2,000 cardiac arrests every year, 20% of which occur in public places such as shopping malls, office buildings or industrial sites. By the time a paramedic crew can arrive, the SCA victim has less than 5% chance of survival but if there is a defibrillator on site and it can be used in those first few critical minutes, it can increase a victims chance of survival to more than 50%.

Bystanders will be alerted to the presence of a "Mikey" by a prominently displayed plaque announcing that a PAD is available here, with the instruction explaining its use in case of a medical emergency. As soon as the door on the PAD is opened, it automatically sends out a security alert; if the unit is removed from the case, the alert is identified as a 911 alert and immediately summons paramedics to its exact location. That in itself can save valuable time, and often make the difference between life and death.

Heathwood's donation will not end with the 10 PADs donated at the special presentation attended by the media, Heathwood employees and many of Mike's family members and closest friends.

Hugh Heron, President of Heathwood Homes and partner, the Heron Group of Companies, has pledged additional donations will be made for every home that the company sells.

"At Heathwood, we intend to make the Mikey Network Fund an integral part of our efforts over the next few years," says Heron. "We will also support other 'heart -smart' public programs related to nutrition, exercise and more."

Heron also issued a challenge to other companies, organizations and individuals across the GTA to join him in a fundraising drive to provide more of these PADs.

Donations to the Fund can be made by calling 1-87 SAFE-CITY (1-877-233-2489). They can be made in person at any Heathwood Homes sales office. Or donors can send a cheque directly to Toronto EMS headquarters, made out to Toronto Emergency Medical Services, "The Mikey Network Fund".

Both Heathwood Homes and its parent company, The Heron Group, Have a long tradition of giving back to the communities in which they build. It is a corporate commitment in which Mike Salem played a very large part. Now Mike's passing has spurred the company to do even more, in a way that will benefit people across the GTA and beyond.