Team Jamaica Bickle to donate an additional 35 defibrillators to schools in Jamaica

By Sports Desk October 12, 2023
Team Jamaica Bickle donating defibrillators at JAMPRO Headquarters in 2019. Team Jamaica Bickle donating defibrillators at JAMPRO Headquarters in 2019. Contributed

Team Jamaica Bickle (TJB), known for their longstanding support of Jamaican athletes and their commitment to the welfare of young talents, will be making a significant contribution to the safety and well-being of students and athletes in Jamaica.

Through their "Defibrillators in Schools" initiative, TJB is set to present 35 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) to various schools and sports associations on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. The presentation will take place at the Alfred Sangster Auditorium, situated on the campus of the University of Technology (UTech).

The event will commence at 9:00 am and will not only involve the formal presentation of the AED units but will also include an in-person training session on how to use the AED and its importance. In addition, the participants will receive training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and be provided with a Sports First Aid Kit to enhance their readiness for emergencies.

The roots of the Team Jamaica Bickle "Defibrillator to Schools Program" can be traced back to 2014 when it was initiated after the tragic loss of St. Jago High School student, Cavahn McKenzie, at a cross-country meet in Tobago. This heartbreaking incident prompted TJB to take action, recognizing the urgent need for schools, especially at sporting events, to have access to emergency resources.

Since the launch of the program in 2014, TJB has donated over 100 AED units to schools and organizations while providing training to more than 400 staff and students. The training sessions are to be conducted by skilled nurses Delores McGregor, Sharon Thompson, and Winsome James, all of whom belong to the Diaspora Health Care Sector. They hold certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and are members of the New York-based Jamaican Nurses Association in the Northeast Diaspora.

Apart from schools, the initiative extends to various sporting associations, including Netball Jamaica, Jamaica Volleyball, and several tertiary institutions, such as UTech, GC Foster College of Sports and Recreation, Montego Bay Community College, and The Mico University College.

Irwine Clare, Sr., the Founder of Team Jamaica Bickle, expressed their commitment to the welfare and well-being of athletes as they strive to excel in their chosen disciplines.

This noble endeavor is made possible through the support of major sponsors, including the Second Round Foundation, represented by Jalen Brunson, an NBA Point Guard for the New York Knicks, and Adelina Bernard, an Olympic Sprinter who has represented Panama, Jamaica, and Venezuela. The Jamaica National (JN) Group has also played a significant role in enabling this critical initiative that aims to enhance safety and health awareness within the Jamaican sports community.

 

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