10 years ago, Craig was out enjoying a round of golf with friends.
He had two young kids, a beloved wife, and his future was bright - when out of the blue, with no cause, no treatment, and no history to explain it…
…Chris’ heart stopped, and he collapsed to the ground.
People came running from all directions. An off-duty fireman began CPR, while someone else dialed 111. The operator immediately dispatched the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Within just 10 minutes, your rescue helicopter crew were at Craig’s side, administering life-saving critical care.
A HUGE thank you to all of our supporters for making this work possible in the community. Your generosity is in every flight and every rescue. Thank you!
Thanks to our generous supporters, your crew used a defibrillator to ‘shock Craig back to life’. However, Chris wasn’t out of danger yet.
As pilot Loren said,
“Craig had suffered a catastrophic cardiac event. We needed to get him to specialist medical treatment fast. This was a flight for Chris’s survival.”
We are so grateful that your crew were able to safely (and quickly) deliver Chris to hospital – giving him the best possible chance to survive.
Since that day, Chris and his family have been forever grateful.
Chris says,
“Now, a decade later, I reflect on the life I’ve been so lucky to live since then. Back then, our two kids were just 13 and 11 - still children needing guidance and support. Today, they’ve both moved out and built lives of their own. I’ve stood proudly at my daughter’s university graduation, beaming as she walked across the stage to receive her degree. I’ve watched my son take the wheel of his own future, working hard and chasing his dreams.”
But that’s not all.
Chris been able to enjoy many more milestones with his family and loved ones, thanks to the kind-hearted generosity of people like you.
This is what you make possible when you give. You don’t just save lives. You give people a chance to live their life to the full.
“I have immense gratitude for the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter and the donors who make their work possible. Their quick response saved my life, giving me the gift of time—time to see my children grow up, time to celebrate with family, and time to explore life’s endless possibilities.”
Thank you so much to ALL of our supporters. Together, we are saving lives in your community.