Survivor Day reunites cardiac arrest patients with First Responders
Those who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2025 were reunited last week with the first responders who saved them.
Essex-Windsor EMS and Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program presented the 13th annual “Survivor Day” last Friday at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts in Windsor. The event is a day to reunite those who survived cardiac arrest with paramedics, police officers, firefighters, ambulance communications officers, border services officers and community members and allow them to share their stories.
A total of 20 stories were shared with Essex-Windsor EMS deputy chief Slawomir Pulcer stating it was an honour to share the space “with those who defied the odds.”
Saving people is “not a solo act,” Pulcer added, and it takes the combined effort of many to save a patient.
“Together, they turned crisis into hope,” said Pulcer.
Video greetings were also shared by Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, who praised the resilience of the survivors and the impact first responders have. Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie added in-person greetings, pointing out his admiration for first responders.
“When an emergency happens, every second matters,” said Dowie. “Our community is really fortunate to have you.”
Joe Bachetti, deputy warden of the County of Essex, added the powerful stories often bring a tear to his eyes.
“Survivor Day is a special event that touches my heart and lifts my spirits,” said Bachetti. “Our community owes all of you a huge debt of gratitude.”
Essex-Windsor-EMS chief Justin Lammers praised his paramedics and all bystanders and first responders. He said it is more than just a life saved, but the future and memories survivors are able to make after being saved.
“No one does it alone,” said Lammers.
Lammers added the AED program they undertake is expanding and there are roughly 30 publicly available AED’s around the region.
“This community takes survival seriously,” said Lammers.
Lammers said the attendance of the survivors makes a difference.
“Your presence is a powerful reminder that our work matters,” he said.
Not only were the survivors honoured, Lammers also paid tribute to those who were not able to be saved. He said their lives mattered as well and stated they are not forgotten.
The EMS chief presented a special pin to paramedic Richard St-Pierre, for saving 20 lives during his 30-year career. St-Pierre said it is actually about 24 lives he had a part in saving, but also said it is not something he did alone.
“It’s all about the team,” he said.
St-Pierre stated he had no idea in advance he would be honoured but was happy to receive the pin.
Jean Meloche was one of the bystanders who helped save a life. While shopping at the Zehrs grocery store in LaSalle with her son Cameron in December 2025, Cameron saw Karen Lesperance go to the ground in distress. Cameron got his mom, a nurse, and she began doing CPR on Lesperance. Assistant store manager Maureen Taylor got the store’s AED and that helped with reviving Lesperance.
“It’s amazing,” said Meloche, an Amherstburg resident. “We’re just so happy Karen survived. It was an emotional day.”
Meloche said she did CPR in the hospital but it was her first time in a public setting. She said she was happy to see Lesperance come around thanks to her effort and that of the rest of the team, which also included LaSalle firefighters and communications officers.
Survivor Day reunites cardiac arrest patients with First Responders
By Ron Giofu
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