Watching the drama unfold at Parken Stadium on Saturday afternoon was one of the most harrowing moments I have experienced watching football. As soon as Christian Eriksen collapsed to the ground with no one around him it was clear it was serious. His teammates in tears, fearing the worst as they shielded him from the cameras whilst medics worked miracles to revive him. The photos of Eriksen leaving the pitch awake, alive brough relief to the millions of football fans hoping for the best but fearing the worst. Danish team doctor Morten Boesen doesn’t know how close they were to losing Eriksen but just one defibrillation got him back. The speed of the response and access to a lifesaving defibrillator undoubtedly saved his life!
A defibrillator is a device that gives a high energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest and is an important part in trying to save the life of someone in that situation. Research suggests that administering defibrillation within three to five minutes of collapse can produce better survival rates, as high as 50-70%. Eriksen was lucky in many ways, having suffered a cardiac arrest saving him was all about timing and with doctors, medical staff and defibrillators just seconds away he was in one of the best places. But not everyone is as fortunate and many teams, particularly at grassroots level do not have access to this lifesaving equipment.
As a result The Terrace have launched the new lifesaver keyring with the aim of raising funds to pay for defibrillators for grassroots football. Cardiac arrest is serious, it requires quick and appropriate action and fast, the majority of amateur and grassroots football teams do not have the funding to warrant the prices of these machines and The Terrace want to help. All profit from every keyring sold will build a fund to pay for defibrillators for as many teams as possible. You can also donate the price of a keyring without receiving one if you just want to pop your donation in the pot. With the scenes of the weekend still fresh in our minds, seeing the medical team so quick and on hand to help, it shows how important the right equipment is, together, let’s be a lifesaver.
Head to terracelife.co/lifesaver to order yours today.
