When someone says October you may think of fall leaves bursting into color or the macabre of Halloween but have you remembered to think pink? October, as we all should know, is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women (the first is skin cancer). Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 35 to 54. Another breast cancer fact is that approximately one is almost every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009, approximately 192,370 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and approximately 40,610 will die.

These breast cancer statistics may sound grim but there are things women can do and be encouraged to do. Research shows that the mortality rate could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who need a mammogram had one.

Everyday people, companies, government, city employees, etc. are working hard to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefront. Breast cancer walks, breast cancer fundraisers, breast cancer PSAs and breast cancer merchandise (specifically that donates proceeds towards breast cancer research foundations) are all ways these groups are coming together to make a difference.

Here’s just a few of the people making a difference:

Milwaukee Firefighters, Shawnee Firefighters, Yuma-area Firefighters and Dave Graybill, a firefighter from Glendale, Arizona, who made the two pink fire trucks covered with ribbons and handwritten signatures and inspirational stories cruising around America possible.

You can make a difference. Get a mammogram. Donate your time. Help someone in need. Give your love.

Sources: JSOnline.com, SeacoastOnline.com, ShawneeDispatch.com, WAFF.com, WebMD.com, YumaSun.com

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Official Press Release

September 28, 2009 - Seattle - Philips announced today that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,400 HeartStart FR2+ automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This recall is being conducted due to the possibility of a memory chip failure that may render the device inoperable. Only certain HeartStart FR2+ AEDs (models M3860A and M3861A, distributed by Philips; and models M3840A and M3841A, distributed by Laerdal Medical) manufactured between May, 2007 and January, 2008 are included in the voluntary recall.

The HeartStart FR2+ defibrillators are used by trained responders and designated response teams to help treat sudden cardiac arrest. The device automatically analyzes the heart rhythm and determines whether a defibrillation shock is needed. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the FR2+ instructs the responder to deliver defibrillation therapy.

Philips has received reports of a memory chip failure in a small number of FR2+ units manufactured in 2007 and early 2008. These reported failures were detected during routine self tests, not during emergency use of the AED. Failure of this chip could render the AED inoperable and prevent it from delivering therapy when indicated, although Philips has received no reports of injury associated with this chip failure.

The AEDs affected by this recall have been distributed globally to fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, and other organizations. Philips is contacting customers to arrange for the return and replacement of all the recalled AEDs by sending notification letters to distributors and users. In addition, the company has set up a page on the Philips Web site with a serial number look-up tool to allow customers to find out if their FR2+ is part of this recall, as well as instructions on what to do if it is. The Web page is www.philips.com/FR2PlusAction. 

Philips has notified the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) of its decision to voluntarily recall the affected product. Customers who have questions about the recall or wish to report product problems may contact HeartStart Customer Service at 1-800-263-3342. 

Any adverse events experienced with the use of this product should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch Web site at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Source: FDA.gov

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Emergency Medical Products is proudly now carrying the new patented disposable S.A.L.T (Supraglottic Airway Laryngopharyngeal Tube) by Ecolab MDI.

S.A.L.T allows more rapid, safe, and effective endotracheal intubation. What once took minutes, now takes just seconds! Simply insert the S.A.L.T, just like an oropharyngeal airway, and then pass an endotracheal tube through the center of the device. Next, secure the S.A.L.T patented clamp to the ET tube and secure.

S.A.L.T was one of the showcased products EMS Today defined as “cutting-edge.”

Check out this video for the lowdown:

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