Mie is a volunteer at our Henley on Thames shop and is driven to emphasise the importance of learning CPR following her brother experiencing a cardiac arrest in November 2023.
“My brother had a cardiac arrest in November 2023 on a train in Japan. It was a Japanese bank holiday during the daytime. Luckily a handful of doctors and nurses were onboard, and they started CPR immediately.
“A train driver contacted staff at the next train station, and they called a local ambulance service. He got AED (Automated External Defibrillator) straightway and his heart was back at the first attempt although his heart stopped for two minutes.
“He was sent to a local A&E and underwent and eight-hour operation straightway. He had three operations in total and stayed in a hospital for a month. Now he has no big issues, and his life is gradually back to normal. After this event, both my brother and I would like to say to anonymous doctors, nurses and emergency service people a big thank you – more than that!
Since his cardiac arrest Mie and her brother wanted to contribute to a good cause, even something small to their communities in the UK and Japan.
Mie explains “I had a total hip replacement last year and I am not fully recovered yet, however I would like to contribute my time to the BHF, therefore I started to be a volunteer at the Henley Shop in November 2024. The UK's charity cultures are unique and totally different from one in Japan. My brother pointed out that there are limitations in after-care communities in Japan, which means there’s not much support for patients, and their families.”
Not only has volunteering given Mie a step in supporting the lifesaving research BHF fund, Mie explains how proud she is to be a volunteer. After working for over 35 years in the airline and travel industry, Mie is now semi-retired and isn’t one to sit around and watch daytime TV.
“I like to be in the local community and keep myself proactive. I love to learn anything new, every day is a school day! The shop heavily relies on volunteers like me, and our shop has hit the KPI sale target for that last couple of weeks, which has been very encouraging, and I’m proud of myself for being a volunteer!”