Chase McEachern
Encyclopedia
Chase McEachern was a boy from Barrie, Ontario, Canada
, who campaigned to have it mandatory that heart defibrillators be made available at schools and hockey arenas.
and during Heart Month, he died, surrounded by his family in a London, Ontario hospital. After his death, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
, working with Chase's parents, created the Chase McEachern Tribute Fund. As a result, there are now automated external defibrillator
s in schools and other locations throughout Canada.
Shortly before his death, Chase wrote to sports legend Don Cherry asking for help in highlighting the need for this lifesaving equipment. Soon after his death Don Cherry dedicated time to Chase's plight on Coach's Corner
.
of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario said of this measure, "Today's action is a fitting tribute to
Chase's vision, which will aid in our campaign with the family to introduce
1,000 defibrillators across the province and serve as a catalyst to make these
devices as common as fire extinguishers, giving Ontarians the best possible
chance of surviving cardiac arrest." The legislation has been passed.
A hockey tournament has been named after him. Chase' father, John McEachern, has received a medal for the defibrillator campaign, although he says it should really be his son Chase who should get the medal.
Barrie, Ontario
Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...
, who campaigned to have it mandatory that heart defibrillators be made available at schools and hockey arenas.
Death
Unfortunately, on Feb. 9th, 2006, he collapsed at school of cardiac arrest before his vision could be implemented, and, on February 15th, 2006, one day after Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
and during Heart Month, he died, surrounded by his family in a London, Ontario hospital. After his death, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is a registered Canadian charity. The foundation's purpose is centered around educating individuals about the prevention and management of heart disease and stroke, and to fund medical research regarding the causes of these conditions...
, working with Chase's parents, created the Chase McEachern Tribute Fund. As a result, there are now automated external defibrillator
Automated external defibrillator
An automated external defibrillator or AED is a portable electronic device that automatically diagnoses the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in a patient, and is able to treat them through defibrillation, the application of...
s in schools and other locations throughout Canada.
Shortly before his death, Chase wrote to sports legend Don Cherry asking for help in highlighting the need for this lifesaving equipment. Soon after his death Don Cherry dedicated time to Chase's plight on Coach's Corner
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
.
The Chase McEachern Act
In 2006, the Ontario government introduced the Chase McEachern Act (Heart Defibrillator Civil Liability Act, 2006). This Act protects people from liability if they assisted someone, using a defibrillator, at an emergency (under certain conditions) or (again under certain conditions) if they made defibrillators available in good faith. Rocco RossiRocco Rossi
Rocco Rossi is a Canadian businessman, executive and former candidate for Toronto municipal and Ontario provincial office. From 2004 to 2009 he was the CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. In 2009 he became national director of the Liberal Party of Canada...
of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario said of this measure, "Today's action is a fitting tribute to
Chase's vision, which will aid in our campaign with the family to introduce
1,000 defibrillators across the province and serve as a catalyst to make these
devices as common as fire extinguishers, giving Ontarians the best possible
chance of surviving cardiac arrest." The legislation has been passed.
Legacy
Through the Chase McEachern Tribute Fund, Chase's vision has resulted in defibrillators being made available in Ontario government buildings.A hockey tournament has been named after him. Chase' father, John McEachern, has received a medal for the defibrillator campaign, although he says it should really be his son Chase who should get the medal.