Lifesaving equipment enhances Pincher Creek ER

24 for Life participants rally around the Lifepak 15 Unit at Pincher Creek Health Centre 

(clockwise from centre, kneeling) Dan Crawford, Janet Jones, Russell Lee, Mark Burles, Greg Walter, Simon Claringbull, Galt Baalim, Andre Vogelaar, Michele Vogelaar, Cal “Pappy” Olson, Kevin Olson, Maxwell Olson.  

Thanks to a heroic effort by over 50 oldtimers hockey players and dozens more volunteers, Pincher Creek now boasts an Emergency Room equipped with a state of the art Lifepak 15 monitor/defibrillator. “This unit is a definite step up from the old Lifepak 12 unit we’ve had in operation since the late 90s,” said Jordan Koch, Site Manager at Pincher Creek Health Centre. “We’re all so grateful to the players and donors that made it happen.”


Their aching muscles long since recovered from the 24 for Life game played last October, a number of the participants gathered recently to see what their hard work has accomplished.  “It was awesome the way the public just jumped on board to support us,” reflected Dan Crawford, who energized efforts to hold the 24 hour event. “There were people in the stands watching the whole time, and it seemed like everyone wrote a cheque or dropped in what cash they had handy.”

Over $36,000 was raised by the final buzzer of the last period played, more than enough to purchase the Lifepak 15. So what happens to the remainder? “With the $10,000 or so left over, Windy Slopes Health Foundation can provide even more enhancements to our ER,” said Koch. “We’re not sure what that’ll look like right now, but we’ll be discussing it over the coming months and make a decision. No matter what, it’s another win for local health care.”  

Windy Slopes Health Foundation is a registered charity raising funds in support of local health care delivery. Learn more by visiting the Foundation at wshealth.ca