By NICOLE VALICEK
FOR someone with a life-threatening heart problem having access to a defibrillator machine could mean all the difference between life and death.
Mother Caroline Anderson lives each day with this constant worry.
Her son Daniel Day, 5 who was born in August 2008 was diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect called Tetralogy of Fallot.
Commonly referred to as “TOF”, the condition means that there are combinations of four heart defects that are present at birth.
These defects together affect the structure of the heart and how blood flows through it.
Daniel required open heart surgery at the age of 14 months at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Today Ms Anderson said Daniel lives a relatively normal live, and participates in a number of activities, but he still has a small series of holes in his heart and a leaking pulmonary valve.
“Unfortunately children like Daniel who have had a Tetralogy of Fallot repair procedure are at a higher risk of experiencing life-threatening events, such as ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death,” she said.
“If that does occur … the best first aid that could be offered is a defibrillator.”
Ms Anderson said in all of the activities Daniel does, including swimming, soccer and karate, they make sure the clubs own a defibrillator machine.
The family’s next challenge was choosing a school for Daniel to attend next year. Again they went with the one that owns a defibrillator over their preferred option.
Last week the family received news that the Heartstart Foundation, a project of the Rotary Club of Williamstown, would donate a defibrillator to Sacred Heart in Newport.
“To know that where he is spending the majority of his time has a defibrillator is amazing, and obviously it’s not just going to benefit Daniel, it’s going to benefit the wider community.”
“It’s very overwhelming that this generosity exists.”
Heartstart Foundation director Claude Bury has a personal affiliation with the program that aims to install defibrillators in schools and provide training for staff, after experiencing a number of heart complications.
This included a cardiac arrest in 1997, four subsequent heart attacks and a quadruple bypass.
“So you can see why I’m so passionate about these defibrillators,” he said.
“Defibrillators now are proven life savers.”
Since 2005 Heartstart has donated 28 defibrillators to schools across Victoria and Tasmanian and 12 personal donations to those in need, including Daniel Day.
Donations to Heartstart can be made to the Rotary Club of Williamstown.
