Why the Gianfranco Giammaria Memorial Society is Important

SADS (Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome) is a term used to describe sudden death due to cardiac arrest brought on by an arrhythmia. Tragically people die suddenly of this cause every year in Canada. SADS can also occur from other causes. Also, there are many inherited conditions and heart diseases that can affect young people that can cause sudden death. Many of these victims have no symptoms before dying suddenly.

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is a portable electronic device that automatically detects the potentially life threatening cardiac arrhythmias of ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in players, and is able to initiate treatment to them through defibrillation, the application of electrical therapy which stops the arrhythmia, allowing the heart to reestablish an effective rhythm.

AEDs are designed to be simple to use, and the use of AEDs is taught in many first aid, first responder and basic life support (BLS) level CPR classes.

Our society was created in the memory of Gianfranco Giammaria, and with your help, we save lives.