Hello everyone! I am Melissa Kuczepa and I was previously employed as an Ambulance Communications Officer (ACO) in the Durham Region. During my time as an ACO, I took (and witnessed) many cardiac arrest calls, with few ever having access to a defibrillator before the Paramedics or Fire Department arrived on scene. 

With February being Heart Health month, I have started an initiative to raise money to get more Public Access Defibrillators into our community. 

Every 12 minutes a Canadian goes into cardiac arrest and for every minute that access to a defibrillator is delayed, their chance of survival decreases by 7-10%. Unfortunately, as our region is rapidly expanding in population and our Paramedic resources are limited, it can be several minutes before an ambulance arrives. 

Cardiac arrest DOES NOT discriminate. It happens to infants, children, and adults alike. 

With the money raised from this fundraiser, I will be working directly with The Mikey Network to place AEDs within the Durham Region in frequently accessed public locations, like community centres, places of worship, etc. 

Please help me support The Mikey Network by making a donation through my page. The process is fast, easy, and secure. The Mikey Network is a registered Canadian charity, all donations are tax-deductible, and will receive an emailed donation receipt as an official record. 

Thank you so much for your support... and please don't forget to send this page to any friends you think might be interested in donating!