TJB to deliver 15 more defibrillators to Jamaica

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Nov 13, 2019 04:18 PM | Sports

Principal of GC Foster College of Sports and Education and National Coach Maurice Wilson among a group being taken through first aid protocols including Defibrillator use by Nurse Delores McGregor. (File Photo)

Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB) will present another 15 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) as part of its ‘Defibrillator to Schools Program’ in a ceremony set to take place this Friday at the JAMPRO Auditorium. Thirteen schools, as well as, the National Stadium and The University of the West Indies (UWI) sports department will be presented with units.

Among the high school recipients set to receive units are: Annotto Bay, Claude McKay, Foga, Glengoffe, Glenmuir, Jose Marti, Holmwood Technical, Holy Childhood Holy Trinity, Kellits, Ocho Rios, Robert Lightbourne, and William Knibb.

“The presentation ceremony is dedicated to the memory of long-time TJB volunteer Nicole McFarlane who regrettably passed away recently,” TJB, a US-based non-profit organization, said in a media release.

“A press conference to include the Dominic James Foundation will take place at 9:30am. The foundation will have as part of its mandate, oversight of the recipient schools and organizations.”

The event is expected to have special invited guests in Fredrick Dacres, Commonwealth discus champion and 2019 World Championship silver medalist and Rushell Clayton, 2019 World Championship bronze medalist in the 400M Hurdles.

“Both will stand in support of Jamaica’s long distance runner Kemoy Campbell who collapsed at a track meet at the Millrose Games in February of this year and whose emergency treatment included the use of an AED machine,” the charity group stated.

Nurse Sharon Thompson instructing part of the group in administering CPR

Nurses, Sharon Thompson and Delores McGregor from the Diaspora Healthcare Sector will conduct the training sessions.

Since the start of the program in 2014, over 70 schools have received units and more that 250 staff trained. Twenty (20) units were presented earlier this year to schools in Western Jamaica.

The Jamaica National Foundation has partnered with the organization for this round of the presentations, donating five of the 15 units. “The development of sports has always been a major area of focus for The Jamaica National Group and, therefore, our support for Team Jamaica Bickle’s efforts to equip our schools with defibrillators is only natural. The nature of the programme demonstrates that Team Jamaica Bickle is not merely ‘doing good’, but that it is carefully thinking about the needs of our young athletes” said Onyka Barrett Scott, general manager, JN Foundation. “We believe these efforts will go a far way in assisting schools to manage emergencies on the field or on the track, and to provide our athletes with a high degree of assurance that we have their best interest at heart.”

Other sponsors of units are Dr. Wilbert Warren, Philadelphia; Claudia Deleon, Island Taste Restaurant, New York and Ann Landel and Family.