From CPR Training to Lasting Connections: Saving Lives in Kenya

df-global-ficcs-medswipe-africas-stemi-conferenceInitiating life-saving empowerment begins with providing comprehensive healthcare education and training. The recent travel of the Disque Foundation to Kenya showcases our commitment to advancing global health education. From late April into early May, the Disque Foundation provided CPR training, BLS training, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) knowledge to medical students and professionals. Representative of Disque Foundation, Mackenzie Thompson, has joined SALI partners GlobalFICCS in Nairobi, Kenya for the 4th time to attend the AfricaSTEMI conference. 

This prominent conference serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and advancing the field of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) care in Africa. Renowned experts, healthcare professionals and researchers from across the continent and beyond converge at this event to discuss the latest advancements, best practices, and innovative approaches to managing STEMI cases. The Disque Foundation sponsored a booth with GlobalFICCS, Medswipe, and their partner Enda, a Kenyan-based and made running shoe. At the booth, we taught others about our initiatives, gave away free courses, and did basic CPR training for adults and infants. The Disque Foundation also donated $2,000 to help sponsor the orgnaization.

How AfricaSTEMI’s Visitors Were Empowered by Free CPR Training

df-global-ficcs-africas-stemi-conferenceThe AfricaSTEMI conference offers a comprehensive program consisting of informative lectures, interactive workshops, case studies, and panel discussions. Attendees have the opportunity to enhance their understanding of STEMI diagnosis, treatment, and post-care strategies through engaging sessions led by experts in the field. Moreover, the conference serves as a forum for networking and knowledge exchange, enabling participants to establish valuable connections and collaborations that contribute to improving STEMI care in Africa.

In collaboration with partners, the Disque Foundation organized training sessions in the booth. These joint efforts aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the importance of ACLS and CPR training to Kenyan medical students and professionals. Visitors also gained access to free courses and a wealth of resources, including handbooks, training videos, skills videos, practice exercises, and practical simulations. This efficient approach enabled students to refine their ACLS and CPR training skills through hands-on simulations conducted in collaboration with GlobalFICCS, Medswipe, Enda, and Disque Foundation staff.

Mackenzie Thompson also introduced how by combining online learning with practical simulations, participants could be equipped with essential life-saving skills and the confidence to apply them in real-life situations. This collaborative effort exemplifies the commitment to empowering healthcare professionals in Kenya and ensuring that they are prepared to provide effective emergency cardiac care when it is needed most.

The AfricaSTEMI conference plays a crucial role in elevating the standard of STEMI care throughout Africa. By promoting collaboration, disseminating research findings, and providing a platform for knowledge sharing, this conference contributes significantly to the advancement of STEMI management, ultimately saving more lives across the continent. Mackenzie Thompson assisted in training 70 medical students and professionals in BLS and ACLS, sharing the SALI with 500 East African healthcare workers, and filming CPR skills videos in Swahili with Cahrol Rowcar, the FICCS program manager and lead First Aid and CPR instructor.

Introducing Disque Foundation’s Empowering Initiatives

mackenzie-of-disque-foundation-training-africastemiDuring the conference, Mackenzie Thompson, on behalf of the Disque Foundation, had been actively sharing the story behind our initiatives. The core concept driving the Save a Life Initiative, or as we say in short SALI,  is straightforward. By equipping individuals worldwide with the knowledge and skills to perform CPR and other evidence-based life-saving techniques, we empower everyone to become life savers. Our approach involves adapting advanced life-saving training (such as CPR training or BLS training), originally designed for healthcare providers, and making it accessible to people from all walks of life, both domestically and internationally.

Leveraging technology, we ensure that advanced healthcare education is within reach of anyone in need, regardless of their geographical location. Through the use of technology, we offer comprehensive courses and educational materials to individuals anywhere in the world. What’s more, our dedicated team of medical educators and board-certified physicians consistently develop and update content that is easily understood by individuals with varying levels of medical knowledge or background. This inclusive approach guarantees that anyone can acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to confidently perform CPR and other proven life-saving techniques.

By embracing technology and maintaining a user-friendly approach, we remove barriers to accessing vital life-saving education. Our commitment to accessibility ensures that individuals from diverse backgrounds can participate and contribute to the collective effort of saving lives. Together, we strive to create a world where everyone has the capability to make a difference during critical situations.

  • In the past year, our Save a Life Initiative has been dedicated to empowering individuals worldwide through our network of SALI trainers. Last year, these exceptional trainers made a significant impact, empowering over 6,590 lives through 245 events. This remarkable network of SALI partners’ invaluable support has played a pivotal role in helping us fulfill our mission.
  • The foundation of our initiative stems from our enduring collaborations, a renowned platform for medical training and certifications that is highly accessible and widely utilized. These courses are easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a device. Each course is meticulously developed by Board Certified Physicians and regularly updated to align with the most current International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation standards and guidelines. All courses available from the Disque Foundation:

Building a Lifesaving Network

For us, the AfricaSTEMI conference has been fruitful with growing new and maintaining existing partnerships. We are excited to announce the partnership of Global FICCs (Foundation for Cardiac and Community Services)–a non-profit organization committed to empowering Kenyan women through healthcare training, scholarships, and mentorship–and Enda Sportswear, a leader in performance footwear and sportswear, founded by Kenyan women and based in Nairobi. We share a goal to educate, empower and elevate young Kenyan women with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed, and to create a brighter, healthier futures for all.

We are proud to partner with Enda Sportswear, which has pledged to contribute 15% of each sale to our non-profit goals. With their support and the support of our community, we can make a significant impact on the lives of women in Kenya.

Join us in our mission to empower women and communities in need. Together, we can make a difference.

Click this link, share the QR code and FICCs will put your purchase to work for young Kenyan women’s scholarships!

Healthcare Education, Training, and Community Volunteering to Fulfill Our Mission

dr-karl-disque-printed-handbooksThis collaborative endeavor between like-minded foundations exemplifies how health education is fostering a long-lasting impact, transcending mere volunteerism that lasts for a few days and instead generating exponential value for the future. Through this journey, we have encountered diverse experiences that shed light on the challenges of comprehending community issues. Our time in Nairobi has taught us the importance of deep listening, open-minded thinking, and formulating actionable plans.

By embracing these principles, we can truly bridge the gaps in understanding, foster meaningful connections, and cultivate sustainable change. Education becomes a powerful catalyst for transformation when we actively engage with diverse perspectives, actively challenge our own assumptions, and actively work towards shared goals. In doing so, we move beyond superficial exchanges and embrace a more empathetic, inclusive approach that empowers individuals and communities to thrive.

The Disque Foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals in saving lives through healthcare education, such as CPR training, ACLS, PALS, or BLS courses, and community volunteering. We envision a world where everyone possesses the skills and confidence to make a difference. In 2023, the Disque Foundation is actively engaged in empowering thousands more, and we invite you to join us on this inspiring journey.