Four years ago, Philip Sullivan’s regular rec league hockey game nearly became his last.
His near-death experience reinforced something many may not think about until they need it – the availability of lifesaving emergency medical equipment in public spaces.
Philip, a Summerside business owner, was playing in a recreational hockey tournament, part of a weekly routine he enjoyed for more than a decade. That night, however, he was pushing himself a little harder than usual.
After a particularly strenuous shift, Philip returned to the bench.
“I was breathing hard,” he recalled. “But I didn’t think anything of it. My teammate tapped me on the back and said, ‘Good shift, Phil,’ and down I went.”
Philip had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. His teammates sprang into action, with one, an Advanced Care Paramedic, immediately helping. Just as important, an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was available nearby, which helped stabilize Philip’s heart rhythm, giving him a fighting chance.
He was rushed to the Prince County Hospital, where he underwent a CT scan, an ultrasound, and stress testing while awaiting transfer to New Brunswick for further procedures.
Testing revealed significant blockages in two arteries that required stents.
“Most people don’t wake up after (what happened to me),” Philip said. “Most of the time they’d be in an induced coma for at least 24 hours to help their body rest and heal.”
But the then 50-year-old father of two was up and about in the ICU, as if nothing had happened, apart from a sore chest from the resuscitation efforts.
The harrowing experience showed him the value of having a well-equipped hospital in his own backyard. Nearby emergency equipment also played a significant role in his survival.
A lifesaving link
This year, your donations to the Prince County Hospital Foundation’s $3.2 million Vital Signs Campaign will help fund new AEDs and wall cabinets that will be installed in public spaces throughout the hospital.
When emergencies like Philip’s happen, every second counts. Having AEDs readily available can mean the difference between life and death for patients, visitors, staff, and volunteers at the hospital.
A longtime supporter of Prince County Hospital through his business, Jewellery Plus, Philip decided to become a monthly donor following his stay.
“It’s not huge, but you don’t really miss it, and at the end of the year, that’s a fair donation,” he said.
Your gifts ensure that lifesaving equipment is available for others, like it was for Philip, and will also supply your hospital with the technology and equipment needed to support care for thousands of Islanders each year.
Learn more about the 2026 Vital Signs Campaign, or donate today.
PHOTO: Philip Sullivan, owner of Jewellery Plus in Summerside.
