“Last night a DJ saved my life with a song…”
Today, leading music service Spotify released a playlist of music to “save lives by” in support of the Irish Heart Foundation’s 25th Happy Hearts Appeal. Spotify compiled the playlist based on the fact that there is a particular rhythm which is best to follow when delivering CPR compressions.
The Happy Hearts Appeal supported by SuperValu nationwide, intends to use the money raised from this years’ appeal to educate the nation in how to deliver compression-only CPR, a skill that can be carried out quite easily by the man on the street, but can make the difference between life and death to a victim of cardiac arrest.
Barry Dempsey, Chief Executive, Irish Heart Foundation said: “This fundraising is for large scale education and awareness of compression-only CPR. Spotify’s specially created Playlist adds a dimension to our campaign that may seem quirky, but it is very effective. If even one of these ten songs resonates with the public in a time of crisis when they are in a position to deliver CPR compressions, it could mean the difference between life and death. 13 lives are lost daily to cardiac arrest here, but starting CPR can double a victim’s chance of survival. We’re asking people to choose their favourite song and remember it in case of emergency. Your ringtone could be a lifesaver.”
“When the Irish Heart Foundation asked us to come up with the playlist we loved the idea and are delighted to be able to support them”, said Adam Williams, MD of UK and Ireland, Spotify. “We wanted to feature some tracks that are inspired by the Irish Heart Foundation’s great work in saving lives.”
The tracks include these stomping classics:
Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive
ABBA – Dancing Queen
Beyoncé – Crazy in Love
Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
Soul 2 Soul – Back to Life
Justin Timberlake – Rock Your Body
Lynyrd Skynyrd – Sweet Home Alabama
Phil Collins – You Can’t Hurry Love
Backstreet Boys – Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)
Michael Jackson – Man in the Mirror
You can find the full list here.
The public are encouraged to support the Happy Hearts Appeal this 15, 16 and 17 May by buying a happy heart for €2 in their local SuperValu or from local on-street volunteers. Or donate €2 by texting HEART to 50300*.
Top Reasons to learn CPR
1. Today, 13 people will die because their hearts stopped beating suddenly.This is known as a sudden cardiac arrest and it kills 5,000 people here every year.
2. 5,000 Irish families affected every year by the sudden loss of a loved one.
3. People of all ages die from it, even babies, children and teens.
4. Two thirds of cardiac arrests happen at home and half happen in front of someone like you and me.
5. By starting CPR, you can double a person’s chance of survival.
6. If your loved one collapsed, would you know what to do? … No? that’s one good reason to learn
7. If someone’s heart stops, for each minute they are without CPR or defibrillation, that person’s chance of survival drops by up to 10% a minute.
8. After just 5 minutes, they may only have a 50% chance of surviving.
9. The Irish Heart Foundation believes everyone, you and me, need to know CPR so we know what to do if we are ever presented with that situation..
10. This 15-17 May the Irish Heart Foundation needs your help to raise vital donations from its Happy Hearts Appeal so it can spread CPR skills and save more lives.
11. Please buy a heart for €2 and help save lives from sudden cardiac arrest.
To learn more about the appeal see happyhearts.ie.
