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Cardiac Arrest Survivors Reunite with Lifesaving First Responders
9 Oct
Summary
- Survivors and first responders gathered for Middlesex London Paramedic Service's annual event.
- A two-year-old girl, Ollie Danko-Cassidy, was reunited with the first responder who saved her.
- Paramedics restored pulse in 135 out of 468 'vital signs absent' calls in 2025.
Paramedics from Middlesex London Paramedic Service hosted their annual Cardiac Arrest Survivor Day, fostering connections between individuals whose lives were saved and the emergency personnel involved.
Among the notable attendees was Ollie Danko-Cassidy, who was only two years old during the summer of 2025 when she was revived after falling into a pool. Her mother expressed profound gratitude for her daughter's survival, emphasizing Ollie's importance in her life. Police Const. Evan Harrison, the first responder on the scene, shared his commitment to providing the best possible care for precious lives.
Retired teacher Susan Balmain also shared her experience of surviving cardiac arrest while at work. She highlighted the critical role of bystander CPR and immediate medical intervention, expressing deep appreciation for the paramedics who were able to restore her pulse. Paramedics Kristen Faragher and Patty Sinn reflected on the surreal and grateful feelings of participating in such an event, offering closure.
According to Middlesex London Paramedic Service, their paramedics responded to 468 'vital signs absent' calls in 2025, successfully restoring a pulse in 135 of these instances. Public Education Coordinator Samantha Vollick-Quinlan stressed that seconds are crucial, and bystander CPR or defibrillator use significantly increases survival chances.
