Dr. David S. Mulder Eston District Health Foundation Inc. donates defibrillators to local businesses
By Verna Thompson
The Dr. David S. Mulder Eston District Health Foundation Inc. recently made its first donation to the community, placing defibrillators in three local businesses: The Jug, DT’s and the Eston Branch, Prairie Centre Credit Union.
The placement of the three units was made to ensure that the emergency devices are accessible in all areas of the community according to Brian Shauf, chairman of the Foundation.
Defibrillators are devices that send an electric pulse or shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat. They are used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, an uneven heartbeat that is too slow or too fast. If the heart suddenly stops, defibrillators can also help it beat again.
The Eston Lions Club has donated $3,000 towards the cost of the units.
Shauf said that in the near future area residents will be receiving frig magnets in their mailboxes listing the locations of defibrillators in the town. This is a project of the local health care committee which is made up of representatives from the town, the R.M. of Snipe Lake and the community.
The inaugural dinner of the Foundation was held in the fall of 2019. The advent of Covid and subsequent pandemic rules meant that activities were largely curtailed for a period of time. Some fundraising was carried out however, and the generosity of local residents and the Eston Lions Club made the defibrillator project a success.
Shauf said that the Foundation board is planning a gala evening event to be held on October 15th. Details will be released in the near future.
The Dr. David S. Mulder Eston District Health Foundation Inc. is a charitable organization whose mission is to raise and distribute funds to facilitate the advancement of family-centered health care for Eston and district.
It is named for Dr. David S. Mulder, an Eston native and internationally known thoracic surgeon who for some years had been the head physician for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League.
The Dr. David S. Mulder Eston District Health Care Foundation recently donated three defibrillators to Eston businesses: The Jug, DT’s and the Eston Branch, Prairie Centre Credit Union. The Eston Lions Club donated $3,000 towards the cost of the units. Pictured above with one of the defibrillators, is Matthew Toner, left, president of the Eston Lions Club and Brian Shauf, chairman of the local health foundation. The defibrillators will be installed in the three businesses in the near future.
