How Serendipity Saved David Whittington

Cora and David Whittington, a couple from Stewart Hall just outside Peterborough, are counting their blessings today. Heroes, angels, serependity, twists of fate—however you choose to look at things, the stars aligned for David Whittington last Tuesday evening (February 24th) after he suffered a heart attack while curling at Keene Curling Arena. 

His wife of nearly 40 years, Cora, explains it best in this truly remarkable post on her Facebook page...

"Last Tuesday evening David was curling at the Keene Curling Arena with his sister and some friends. He threw a rock and felt weak and leaned against the wall. Luckily a retired nurse, Pauline Gillespie took David's pulse. Finding none she told David's sister Mary to call 911. The local firefighters were having a meeting a block away and arrived in minutes. By time the ambulance made it to the hospital the cardiologist has been called and arrived. They took him to the Cath Lab and immediately found a 100% block in a major artery and opened it up with a couple of stints. From onset of the heart attack to the clearing procedure was two hours. For this reason there is minimal damage and David is feeling very well.

Two weeks ago we we were in Costa Rica in some very remote places. Needless to say it would be hard to beat the treatment we received here. David also got stung by a stingray in Costa Rica and needed antibiotics and treatment. It seems minor in comparison to this week smile emoticon

The trip was for our 40th anniversary that will be in June. I am hoping that rest of this year is a little less eventful."

Cora tells PTBOCanada David is now resting comfortably at home. And that they're now planning a special night on the Liftlock Cruise on the Trent Severn to mark their 40th anniversary in June.

[via Cora's Facebook post]

***To learn about the common signs of a heart attack, click here.

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Nurses At Peterborough County-City Health Unit In YouTube Awareness Video

Ever wonder all that the nurses at the Peterborough County-City Health unit do for you and the community? Well it's lots... and then some. And they have put together a video to help educate the public.

Scroll down to watch the video below...

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A Pad Party Is Happening In Peterborough #PtboPadParty

Logo by Kate Ledeuce

Yes, you heard right. A Pad Party. It's actually a terrific idea. And here's why: As the Facebook event page explains, "We all get our periods and they suck. But imagine if you didn't have a home? If getting your period meant choosing between buying tampons, or eating that night? AND female menstrual products are taxed, which means the government makes money off our periods!"

The Pad Party will accept pads, tampons, diva cups, wipes, etc., for those in need.

***It takes place Sunday, March 29th from 3 to 7 pm at the Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W.

Learn more about the problem on taxing tampons and pads, which are a necessity, in these stories on Huffington Post and Vice.  Also, check out this petition at Change.org. 

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GoFundMe Page Set Up For Young Boy Fighting For His Life #PrayForParker

Parker Fulford is a very young boy from Peterborough who has overcome many struggles since being born premature, at only 23 weeks, in February 2012. The latest is very severe, as he has been airlifted from PRHC to Toronto Sick Kids with an extreme case of pneumonia. Parker, who has cerebral palsy, is in critical condition in hospital.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by James Todd to help the parents Jennifer and Mike Fulford with the costs they will incur due to travel to Toronto, losing income, food costs, etc., that add to an already stressful situation.

"I set up the GoFundMe page to do my part in helping them relieve some stress, because I know I'd hope for someone to do the same," James Todd, a father himself, tells us.

All funds collected will go to help the family cover costs. Click here to give, and use the hashtag #PrayForParker on Twitter and Facebook. 

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