Mike works at Kinleith Mill. Not long ago, he was sitting in a meeting when a strange feeling appeared in his chest. It felt a little bit like heartburn. Excusing himself, he went outside - hoping it would calm down. Instead, the pain grew stronger.
As his skin grew hot and clammy, it dawned on Mike that this wasn’t heartburn. It was something much worse. Somehow, he managed to get to the on-site nurse’s office.
“She placed me on the bed, attached monitoring equipment, and decided to send me to Tokoroa hospital.”
Mike was quickly rushed to Tokoroa Hospital, where he was immediately assessed.
The doctors discovered blood clots that were causing Mike to have a heart attack. He needed to get to the larger Waikato Hospital for emergency surgery… and as soon as possible.
The trouble was, it would take 1 hour 15 minutes to get there by road. And in a situation like this, every second counts.
For a moment, Mike thought it might be ok if it all ended there. He’d had a good life, and lived it the best that he could…
“My wife and daughters were in the room, and I felt that if it was my time, I was at peace with that. But that changed when my granddaughter turned up. And I thought, ‘No, there’s still a lot more I would like to do with my grandchildren.’”
Thankfully, because of our amazing Greenlea Rescue Helicopter supporters, Mike was going to get the best possible chance to live through this, and enjoy time with his grandchildren.
You see, thanks to people like you - the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was rescue-ready and just a short flight away.
There’s no safer or quicker way to get a patient to hospital, than by rescue helicopter. And with highly skilled crew and specialised equipment onboard, your Greenlea Rescue Helicopter is a mobile intensive care unit (ICU).
In fact, as soon as Mike was safely loaded into the rescue helicopter, he was flown to Waikato Hospital in just 15 minutes – receiving highly skilled medical care during the entire flight. In situations like Mike’s, every minute matters.
As soon as he got to Waikato Hospital, Mike was rushed into surgery to have the blood clots removed. And today, Mike is doing a lot better – he’s back to work and staying fit and active, enjoying his workouts at the gym and listening to his body.
He will always be grateful to the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter crew who helped save his life…
“I only have good words for the rescue helicopter team. I remember Critical Care Flight Paramedic (CCFP) Tony talking to the doctors, and I remember thinking how blown away I was by his knowledge. I am forever grateful and thank them for what they did for me, and my family. I always felt safe and reassured. Amazing job. Nothing but praise” says Mike.
This is the incredible, life-saving work you make possible in the community when you give to your Greenlea Rescue Helicopter.
Thank you so much!