The Northern Health Foundation are urging staff and the community to come together to raise funds for life-saving defibrillators.

Launched on 1 June 2019, their new fundraising campaign will raise money for state of the art upgrades to 60 defibrillators across our services. This means that if anyone has heart failure, the best equipment will be immediately at hand and available to people of Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

The campaign will run through to the end of October 2019, with a fundraising target of $450,000.

Professor Bill van Gaal, Divisional Director of Emergency Services and Director of Cardiology, encourages people to band together to help save the lives of our family, friends and the wider northern community.

“Whilst early CPR is crucial in the event of a cardiac arrest, defibrillators are ultimately what is needed to restart your heart. It is important these are readily accessible and easy to use for our staff,” he said.

“Help us help you – restart your heart.”

Current defibrillators across Northern Health have different complexities that have been purchased at different times. The state of the art upgrade will ensure we have the latest models and best equipment consistently across our services, whilst also ensuring staff are trained on the same machines throughout our organisation.

Chief Operating Officer, Jane Poxon, is urging community members and local businesses to donate to this important cause – “great, and ever improving health care is no accident. It also depends on the generosity of our wonderful donors.”

“When it comes to health care, Northern Health is all about you. Our goal is to give you and your family the very best care and support we can,” she said.

“It takes a community to create a great service!” she added.

How you can support the Northern Health Foundation and help to save a life:

All staff members can get involved by giving a one off donation via the Northern Health Foundation website, via cashiers at Epping, Broadmeadows and Bundoora campuses or by becoming a workplace giver.

For any donations outside of the organisation, please call 8405 2897 or head to the Northern Health Foundation website.

Featured Image: Professor Bill van Gaal