The Honda Foundation Helps CareFlight Patients Breathe Easy

TULLAMARINE, AUSTRALIA – March 4, 2010: NRMA CareFlight patients in New South Wales can now breathe easier, thanks to a recent donation of $30,000 from The Honda Foundation and Trivett Honda in Paramatta.

The donation was used to purchase an Elisee 350 Ventilator, which mechanically breathes for a patient who is physically unable to or is breathing insufficiently.

The lightweight Elisee 350 Ventilator has extensive patient monitoring capabilities and diagnostic and monitoring functions required in an Intensive Care Unit setting. Its compact size makes it easier for CareFlight doctors to move with patients from the scene of an incident while maximising patient comfort and care.

Providing one of the world’s leading rapid response emergency helicopter and medical retrieval services, CareFlight has treated and transported over 18,000 patients since its inception in 1986.

On call to the NSW State Emergency Services, NSW Ambulance Service, Australian Search and Rescue and the NSW Police, CareFlight trauma doctors deliver pre-hospital emergency treatment to patients around the state. The organisation also has comprehensive research and training arms, along with a disaster response capability and international air ambulance services.

Chairman of The Honda Foundation, Mr. Lindsay Smalley said: “The Honda Foundation is proud to support the life-saving work being done by CareFlight and its rapid-response critical care team.

“Through this donation, we can keep CareFlight equipped with the most up to date equipment to assist its emergency medical missions,” he said.

The Honda Foundation aims to provide assistance to local communities and foster goodwill between Honda Australia, Honda Motor Vehicle Dealers and the public. It draws funding from Honda Dealers and Honda Australia, who donate $15 ($5 and $10 respectively) for every Honda car sold.

For more information on The Honda Foundation and the organisations it supports, please visit www.hondafoundation.org.au