Media Advisory - Join the Heart and Stroke Foundation and more than 10,000 'undead' at the Toronto Zombie Walk Halloween Parade

TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2013 /CNW/ - The Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) is partnering with the Toronto Zombie Walk for the second year to get all Canadians to learn the three simple steps to save a life using CPR, and become 'undead'.

"Tongue-in-cheek Halloween and Zombie-themed events targeting young people across Canada will once again reinforce the message that 'CPR makes you undead, " said Mark Holland, the Foundation's Director, Children and Youth. "When a person experiences cardiac arrest and their heart stops beating, they are technically dead until they're revived. Quick action is critical. That is why it is crucial to learn Hands-Only™ CPR - and why we are encouraging everyone to take advantage of CPR training opportunities this November to learn this life-saving skill. "

As many as 40,000 cardiac arrests occur in Canada each year, and up to 85 per cent of these happen in public areas or homes. The survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests is still abysmally low at about 5 per cent.

What: HSF, Toronto EMS and Toronto Paramedics will hold a booth (#1) with CPR demonstrations and a zombie photo booth. The trio will also be riding the HSF's Big Bike (zombified of course) in the parade to raise funds for public defibrillators (AEDs).

Available for interviews:

• Will Jones (27yr-old), HSF survivor spokesperson, suffered cardiac arrest in his high school class and was saved by teachers who knew CPR and a firefighter who used an AED.
• Mark Holland, HSF Director of Health Promotion
• Approximately 10 to 12 thousand Zombies who will be happy to demonstrate their undeadness for the camera!

When/Where: The parade will start on Bay St. from the rear of Nathan Phillips Square, behind city hall. It will go north on Bay St. until Grenville where the horde will turn right and then south on Yonge. Once past the Eaton Centre it will come full circle to Nathan Phillips square for a killer after show.

Image with caption: "CPR makes you undead. Learn the 3 simple steps today. (CNW Group/Heart and Stroke Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131025_C7246_PHOTO_EN_32585.jpg

SOURCE: Heart and Stroke Foundation

Media Contacts:
Alex Maheux cell: [phone]
[email protected]