Within its internal Corporate Social Responsibility program, Bank of Beirut joined hand with “Remy Rebeiz Young Heart Foundation” and organized an awareness session about the risk factors and causes related to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (CA) affecting the youth. Highly concerned young employees below 40 attended the session as they were within the age group at risk of SCA.

The session, conducted by the Remy Rebeiz Young Heart Foundation, highlighted that most Sudden Cardiac Arrest conditions are hereditary, noting that these conditions are identifiable and treatable, and can ensure a normal lifespan and lifestyle. Having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) portable device delivers an electrical shock that will reorganize the electrical activity of the heart and give it the opportunity to resume beating. AED gives a shock only when the heart stops beating.

It is to note that Bank of Beirut has already purchased an AED for its main office and is planning to buy further defibrillators for all its branches; a group of employees has already been trained on CPR with the Lebanese Red Cross among other initiatives.
The awareness session included a live testimonial from an employee at the bank along with a set of questions answered by Dr. Rania Bassil, expert cardiologist in the field.

The session called on more awareness on the matter in order to prevent the youth from this fatal attack, noting that more AEDs should be available in all public places in Lebanon since a lot of young people are dying from sudden cardiac arrest due to lack of awareness and proper screening.

Bank of Beirut has previously embarked on a mission of life and hope in raising awareness among its staff about issues related to critical health conditions through various trainings and conferences, all this within its community engagement and as part of its greater CSR plan.