Love him or hate him, Don Cherry is talking the talk and walking the walk in trying to turn the late Chase McEachern's wish into reality. On Tuesday, February 15, with Chase's father, Woodbine Entertainment Group Investigator John McEachern at his side, Cherry helped unveil a defibrillator at the Hockey Hall of Fame
in Toronto, Ont.
As explained in an article by the Toronto Star, Chase was a hockey-mad youngster with an atrial flutter. After having experienced some serious cardiac episodes, Chase wrote to Cherry asking him to support a campaign to make defibrillators mandatory in arenas and schools.
Cherry received Chase's letter, although, he got it after the youngster had already tragically passed. The 11-year-old passed away on February 15, 2006 after having collapsed in gym class six days earlier.
The unveiling of the defibrillator at the Hockey Hall of Fame came on the fifth anniversary of Chase's passing. There are now 2,600 defibrillators installed in Ontario, and they have saved the lives of more than two dozen people.
And, simply put, Cherry wants more.
The Toronto Star article explains that a private member’s bill to make defibrillators mandatory in schools, arenas and other public places has been stalled before a standing committee since May, 2010.
“I hope Premier McGuinty is watching,” Cherry said. “He promised that it would be passed. Let’s get it going.”
To learn more about -- or to donate to -- the Chase McEachern Tribute Fund, click here.
(With files from the Toronto Star)