High School Students Teach Lifesaving Skills to Younger Peers
In a remarkable display of youth leadership, students from Jean Augustine Secondary School in Brampton, Ontario, have taken the initiative to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) skills to more than 100 Grade 8 students at Eldorado Public School. The event, held on May 11, 2026, was organized by Grade 8 teacher Lindsay MacOdrum in partnership with the ACT Foundation, a national charity that provides free CPR and AED training programs in high schools across Canada.
A Personal Connection to the Cause
Ms. MacOdrum's dedication to this training is deeply personal. Her life was saved by her stepson, Maddox, who performed CPR when she went into cardiac arrest. "I was healthy, active, and never imagined this could happen to me. Then all of a sudden, my heartbeat was gone in an instant. In that moment, someone chose to act. Because they knew CPR, my heart found its rhythm again and my brain is fully functioning," she shared. "Their courage didn't just save me, it gave me more time, more memories, more life. I am here because they knew what to do, and I will always be forever grateful. CPR SAVES LIVES!"
Expanding Access to Lifesaving Training
The ACT Foundation's Executive Director, Sandra Clarke, praised the initiative: "We are so proud of this leadership initiative where senior students are sharing lifesaving skills with their young peers at the elementary school level. It is a wonderful extension of the high school CPR and AED program the ACT Foundation sets up for free in all high schools. And we applaud Ms. MacOdrum for her role in bringing this training to Grade 8s."
The program aligns with provincial efforts to improve cardiac emergency response. Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones, noted: "Our government recognizes the importance of access and training for CPR and AEDs. That is why our government is providing faster access to defibrillation by supporting the development of Ontario's first AED registry – enabling people to be directed to their nearest public AED when every second counts."
Community and Corporate Support
AstraZeneca Canada, a founding partner of the ACT Foundation, has been instrumental in supporting the program. President Gaby Bourbara stated: "We congratulate Ms. MacOdrum, the leadership students, and the Grade 8 students for their commitment to saving lives. AstraZeneca Canada is proud of its support of ACT in bringing the high school CPR and AED program to the Peel Region and across Canada. As a founding partner of the ACT Foundation, we're committed to supporting individuals making a meaningful impact on the health of our communities through health education, training and resources."
Bourbara added: "Congratulations to Ms. MacOdrum and Maddox. Their story is a powerful reminder that CPR training saves lives. As a founding partner of the ACT Foundation, AstraZeneca Canada is proud to support initiatives that empower young Canadians with critical lifesaving skills. Seeing high school leaders pass that knowledge on to elementary students shows the ripple effect this program can have in building stronger, healthier communities across Canada."
The event at Eldorado Public School demonstrates the power of student leadership and community collaboration in equipping young people with essential skills that can save lives. With continued support from educators, government, and corporate partners, the ACT Foundation aims to expand such training to more schools nationwide.
