What’s New: In Brief (October 22, 2007)

Neil Crone, actor, comic, cancer survivor and national cancer spokesperson, will provide his perspective on life, health and the power of laughter at the Nov. 7 WICC Ontario breakfast at the Arcadian Court in Toronto.
The breakfast coincides with Take Your Kid to Work Day, and so WICC Ontario is encouraging parents participating in the event to remember to register for an extra ticket. Your children will gain awareness of life and health issues that affect us all, a WICC release notes.
Registration for the event can be done via www.wicc.ca. For more information, email execdirector.wicc@sympatico.ca.

Group Medical Services (GMS) has donated Cdn$300,000 to provide Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to 83 schools across Saskatchewan.
Were very pleased to partner with Saskatchewan schools in this effort, Shirley Raab, president and CEO at GMS, said in a release. This province-wide distribution of AED devices to schools is the first of its kind in Canada.
Schools have agreed to establish ongoing training and awareness programs for teachers and students. The use of AEDs has proven to result in dramatic increases in survival from cardiac episodes.
GMS says high schools represent ideal locations for the installation of AEDs.
High school students are a high-risk group for sudden cardiac episodes, especially when involved in high-stress physical activity, according to the release. With schools being the social and cultural hub in many communities, access to AED devices will benefit students, staff, extended families, friends and the general population.