Norfolk Community League Run/Walk Raising Money for Heart Defibrillator for Norfolk Police Department

Proceeds from the 7th Annual NCL Charity 5K Run / Walk will go towards the purchase of a heart defibrillator for the Norfolk Police Department. The Run / Walk will be held on Saturday, May 31st at 9:00am at the Holmes Field, Myrtle Street in Norfolk. Norfolk Community Day events will follow the race.

According to Norfolk Police Chief Stone,

"The purchase of a defibrillator will give the Norfolk Police Department the flexibility of having 3 vehicles equipped with these units. Our training tells us that the first 4 minutes is critical to the patient. Often, heart attacks occur without a person present or during the night while sleeping and this time lapse in notifying emergency personnel is devastating. Early recognition gives the best opportunity for saving a life. Our cruisers are often already on the road and in some instances may already be on or may be very near the street or home requesting assistance. In this case regardless of the time of day, 3-5 minutes could be saved in applying a defibrillator by trained personnel just in response time, including travel time to the call by the EMT/Ambulance. The fact that this unit will be available to us from a charitable organization as a result of a fund raising endeavor will make the defibrillator unit available to us much sooner than waiting for a town meeting appropriation and then ordering the unit from there."

Donations towards the purchase of the defibrillator are being accepted. Checks can be made payable to Norfolk Community League, Attention Run / Walk, P.O. Box 450, Norfolk, MA 02056. Run / Walk registration is $15.00 ($20.00 after May 22) and includes parking and admission to Norfolk Community Day events. The first 100 participants to register also receive a free T-shirt. Registration for kids races is $3 and $5 for the 1/4 race. 1/4 mile race for kids ages 8 -13 will be at 10:00am . 50m and 100m races for kids ages 11 and under will be held at 11:00am. Registration forms are available at locations around Norfolk. For more information, contact Carmen at 508-541-7472.

4/15/2003

###