Life saving machine for Samoa

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 28 September 2017, 12:00AM

The warmth and hospitable nature of Samoans speaks volumes. 

That is the testimony of frequent visitors Shirley and Colin Kelsen. So moved by their experience of Samoa, they have returned to donate a lifesaving machine, an Automated External Defibrillator (A.E.D).

The Kelsens started their relationship with Samoa back in 2000 when they stayed at Litia Sini Beach Resort at Lalomanu.

 “Colin and I visited Samoa for the first time and we’re shown wonderful hospitality by Anna Nickel,” said Mrs. Kelsen. 

 “Anna drove us to visit family at Falefa and on to Lalomanu where we stopped at Litia Sini Beach Resort. Anna was insistent that we return to Lalomanu so a few days later we caught the local bus from Apia and travelled out to Litia Sini Beach Resort and stayed for the night.

 “Since that visit we have returned to Samoa around 12 times and have always been welcomed guests of the resort.

The Kelsens had made Litia Sini Beach Resort their second home. 

 “We watched over the rebuild after the tsunami in 2009 and have seen the many improvements made over the years.

 “As a result of the warmth and hospitality shown to us over the years, Colin and I decided we wanted to make a contribution to Litia Sini resort and to the community of Lalomanu. 

 “We decided that a useful contribution would be to provide an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) to be available in case of a cardiac arrest.

 “This device can be used by members of the public and gives simple voice prompts advising the user step by step how to assist along with CPR (Cardiac Pulmonary Resuscitation ) in the event of a cardiac arrest (heart attack).” 

The A.E.D. is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm and are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs.

According to Mrs Collins, they contacted family and friends who had visited Litia Sini and at their recommendation they were able to raise funds to purchase an A.E.D.

“This was presented to the community of Lalomanu on our recent visit and will be located at Litia Sini Beach Resort for use as needed. 

“The device is portable and can be taken to the location of the patient.” She said, staff at the hospital, Police and Litia Sini have been given instructions on how to use of this simple device which can save lives.

“Our best wishes and thanks go to the people of Samoa along with the donation of the device and also our hopes that this may encourage others to look at getting these devices located within the hospitals and also all around the island with the aim of saving lives.” 

Associate Minister of Health, Salausa Dr. John Ah Ching together with Lydia Sini-Toomalatai of the Litia Sini Beach Resort and Lalomanu Hospital Senior Nurses accepted the A.E.D. with great thanks to the Kelsen family. 

Salausa acknowledged this wonderful and very useful donation for our people not only in Lalomanu but in the Aleipata region and anyone who may need it.  

He also thanked the Litia Sini Family for taking great care of the Kelsens during all their multiple visits to the resort and to Samoa.

Lydia expressed her gratitude to the Kelsens and all that contributed to enable the purchase of this useful equipment and also for their continuous support to the community especially Lalomanu.   

Those who assisted the Kelsens are Carmen n Stan Vincent; Vailima and Doug Doell;

Jacob Vincent; Lynne and the late Paul Asquith; Shelly O'Sullivan; Shelly and Clinton McDonald; Brenda @ The Cutting Edge Salon; Shona and Theo Kelsen; Daphne n John Syme; Gaby Ward; Jacinda n Darren Doell and with the generous support of Kareen McLeod of ‘Staying Alive Solutions.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 28 September 2017, 12:00AM

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