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Golfers raise money for new defibrillators

Contributed by: Einar Jensen on 5/21/2008

In November 2006, playing golf at Hiwan was the last thing on the mind of Evergreen Chorale Director Mike Weiker. On the 7th day of that month during rehearsal at Center Stage, his heart stopped beating regularly and he collapsed in sudden cardiac arrest.

Members of the choir quickly realized Weiker was dying, called 911, started CPR and fetched the building's new automated external defibrillator (AED) purchased only weeks before with a grant from Evergreen Public Access Defibrillation (EPAD).

At the urging of the AED, the singers-turned-rescuers delivered an electrical shock to Weiker's heart that restored a normal rhythm. With his heart again beating, Weiker was transported by Evergreen Fire/Rescue to a Denver hospital for treatment and to begin his recovery.

That recovery hit a new level when Weiker teed up at Hiwan Country Club the morning of May 19. Playing in a foursome with his daughter Leah Hamilton, her husband Dayton and their friend Randy Reed, Weiker was one of nearly 100 other men and women who participated in EPAD's annual golf tournament that raises money to purchase AEDs for the community.

The golf tournament, now in its sixth year, is the non-profit's primary fundraiser, according to EPAD President and Paramedic Dave Montesi.

"It's important to me to see Mike Weiker here because he's true testimony that EPAD is working," Montesi said. "To have a talent like Mike here shows the community the direct effect of making a difference with us."

Other participants included doctors, nurses and staff from St. Anthony's Hospitals and Lutheran Medical Center, employees of buildings with EPAD AEDs such as Clear Creek High School, and Evergreen Fire/Rescue personnel.

Between the donations of generous sponsors and registration fees, EPAD netted approximately $5,000 from the event, which is capable of purchasing six AEDs and training countless people to use them correctly.

"Without the golf tournament we wouldn't have public access defibrillation in Evergreen," Montesi said. "It provides a majority of our funds that we need to make Evergreen a heart safe community."

For information on adding an AED to your facility, visit www.evergreenpad.org or contact Montesi directly at dtamontesi@msn.com or 303-552-4609.


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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Einar Jensen

Evergreen , CO

Einar Jensen has posted 161 stories and 4 comments since joining on 9/21/2005. Einar Jensen 's average story rating is 4.99.
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