Chase McEachern

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.[1]

Chase McEachern
BornMarch 12, 1994
DiedFebruary 15, 2006 (aged 11)

Death

On Feb. 9th, 2006, McEachern collapsed at school of cardiac arrest due to an atrial flutter, before his vision could be implemented, and on February 15, 2006, 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 defibrillators in schools and other locations throughout Canada.[2]

Shortly before his death, Chase wrote to sports legend Don Cherry asking for help in highlighting the need for this lifesaving equipment.[1] Soon after his death Don Cherry dedicated time to Chase's plight on Coach's Corner.

The Chase McEachern Act

In 2006, the Ontario government introduced the Chase McEachern Act (Heart Defibrillator Civil Liability Act, 2006).[3][4][5] 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.[6] Rocco Rossi 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."[7] The legislation has been passed. [8]

Legacy

Through the Chase McEachern Tribute Fund, Chase's vision has resulted in defibrillators being made available in Ontario government buildings. [9]

A hockey tournament has been named after him.[10] 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.[11][12]

References
  1. Campbell, Morgan (2006-03-13). "Team player's life-saving wish". The Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2008-09-26. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  2. Kerr, Lavinia (2007-08-30). "More defibrillators soon available in Dufferin". Orangeville Citizen. Orangeville Citizen. Archived from the original on 2013-01-01. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  3. "Chase McEachern Act (Heart Defibrillator Civil Liability), 2007, S.O. 2007, c. 10, Sch. N". Federation of Law Societies of Canada. 2007-07-17. Archived from the original on 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  4. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2007-06-04). "McGuinty Government Health Care Legislation Improves Access to Services and Better Protects Public Safety". Queen's printer for Ontario. Archived from the original on 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  5. "Defibrillator bill to help saves lives in Ontario". Essex Provincial Liberal Association. 2006-12-12. Archived from the original on 2006-12-15. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  6. Cassels Brock's Health Law Group (2006). "Bill 171, The Health System Improvements Act, 2006 - An Overview". e-LERT. Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  7. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (2006-12-12). "McGuinty Government Introduces Comprehensive Legislation To Strengthen Health System". Queen's printer for Ontario. Archived from the original on 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  8. "F.A.S.T. Rescue Donates two Defibrillators to Kitchener Health Center". PRWeb Press Release Newswire. Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC. 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  9. Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (2006-09-29). "Life-saving heart defibrillators to be installed in Ontario government buildings". News releases. Queen's printer for Ontario. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  10. "Reminder: McEachern Hockey Tourney". Insider news. Standardbred Canada. 2008-02-05. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  11. Blenkhorn, Leigh (2008-01-29). "Defibrillator campaign earns local dad a medal". Simcoe.com. Metroland Media Group Ltd. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
  12. Johnson, Jody (2008-01-21). "Citizen Awards at Queens Park". News Headlines. Bayshore Broadcasting Corp. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
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