MAY 2006

Cross Out Day

People from around the peninsula including those who are involved in Residents Associations, local Secondary Schools or sporting clubs, are being encouraged to raise money to purchase a defibrillator for their local community.

Cross Out Day is an Irish Red Cross initiative. It aims to install at least 120 Advisory External Defibrillators in areas throughout Ireland, in a bid to increase the chances of survival for victims of cardiac arrest. At present there are approximately 18 people dying from cardiac arrest each day in this county. Research suggests that 50% of these deaths could be avoided if CPR and defibrillation were available within the first 5 minutes.

According to the organization on their website: www.redcross.ie "These deaths are happening in your local community and it is within your power to make a difference. By raising enough funds as part of Cross Out Day, through cooperation with our neighbours, friends and colleagues, you can have a defibrillator installed in your local area." For further details telephone 1850 507070.

There already has been interest from GAA clubs, Inishowen League and Carndonagh Community School. They need to raise €3,000 and have ten dedicated people, and have registered their fundraising event with the Irish Red Cross by 12th June. "It is being put out there and if people want to take it up that's great. People are good at fundraising, but getting committed people to be responsible for the defibrillator is the harder part." Said a Red Cross spokesperson.

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