Central York girls hockey players taking shots for life-saving defibrillators

The Central York Girls Hockey Association is continuing its mission to save lives by fundraising for automated external defibrillators (AED) with its She Shoots She Saves campaign. 

Their goal is to fund the placement of SaveStations with AEDs outside local hockey rinks. In 2021, the players and supporters raised more than $20,000 to place three AEDs. 

Teams across the CYGHA set a goal for the number of shots they'll make between Feb. 27 and March 5 and collect donations from friends and family. From Feb. 20 to March 5, teams are also encouraged to raise funds any way they want, while also raising team spirit. 

In last year's campaign, more than 200 CYGHA players participated and took more 250,000 shots. They are hoping to have even more athletes and teams take part this year, with prizes for those participating. 

The local players' successful campaign saw an AED placed at the outdoor rink at Newmarket's Riverwalk Commons.

The fundraising campaign was inspired by the personal experience of CYGHA player Raychel Gilles. When she was timekeeping for her dad's hockey game, the goalie went into cardiac arrest. Gilles jumped into action, began CPR, and used an AED to save the goalie's life. 

The association said that every year there are about 35,000 cardiac arrests in Canada. They said the survival rates double when CPR is performed and a defibrillator is used. 

The She Shoots She Saves campaign will kick off from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 20 at the Newmarket Lions Hall outdoor rink with special guests and hot chocolate and coffee donated by Tim Hortons.