Jogger Survives Heart Attack Thanks to Fast-Acting Bystanders A Powerful Reminder of Why CPR Training Matters
A routine morning jog turned into a life-threatening emergency for Gordon Andrusiak, who collapsed from a heart attack near Neill Nesbitt Park. Today, he and his wife Marilyn are sharing their story to highlight the lifesaving impact of CPR — and to encourage more people to learn this essential skill.
(You can read the original CBC article that inspired this post here:
Jogger who survived heart attack praises saviors, preaches CPR training
A Sudden Collapse on a Sunny Morning
On June 14, Andrusiak set out for a short jog close to his Barrhaven home. Although he had a known heart condition, he had been exercising regularly and was eager to include jogging back into his routine.
But within minutes, everything changed. He fell unconscious on the ground, with several workers in orange safety vests gathering around in concern. They weren’t the only ones who reacted quickly
Everyday Heroes Step In
Adele Gawley, a passing motorist, and Troy Featherston, a City of Ottawa parks employee, immediately began CPR. Neither of them knew Andrusiak, but their willingness to act — and the fact that they were trained — made the difference between life and death.
Paramedics arrived shortly after and rushed him to hospital. Andrusiak was later transferred to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, where he remained in a medically induced coma for several days.
Two months later, he is recovering from heart surgery and doing well. But he remembers almost nothing from the moment he stepped out his front door until waking up in the hospital nearly five days later.
“It was more traumatic for Adele and Troy — and Marilyn — than it was for me,” he shared.
A Terrifying Wait for His Family
Back at home, Marilyn began to worry when her husband didn’t return from his “short jog.” After searching the street and driving around the park with no sign of him, she called the nearest hospital — and was immediately connected with the doctor working on her husband.
When she learned what had happened, one detail brought both relief and gratitude:
“Those are the people that are actually responsible for him being here today,” she said.
“A hundred people could have been on that corner that morning, but if no one was trained to do CPR, the outcome would have been totally different.”
Thanks to the help of a Heart Institute employee, the family later connected with both Gawley and Featherston. Marilyn recalls calling Adele the same day and meeting soon after. Their families remain grateful for the heroes who stepped forward.
“Adele and Troy — we want people to know how grateful, how thankful we are to those two people,” she said.
CPR Saves Lives — and Anyone Can Learn It
During their visit, Andrusiak learned how intense the situation had been for his rescuers. Troy admitted he worried he had cracked ribs while performing compressions — a common concern among responders — but he continued anyway, knowing that strong compressions are essential.
“I wouldn’t be here without that,” Andrusiak said.
Both Gordon and Marilyn have taken CPR courses in the past and now plan to refresh their training.
“I think it’s important that people are able to intervene and take the initiative,” he added.
Their story is a powerful reminder: you never know when you may need to step in and save a life. CPR buys time until medical professionals arrive, and early CPR can double or triple a person’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.
Learn CPR — You Can Make the Difference
You don’t need medical experience to save someone’s life — you just need training and the willingness to act.
If you want to gain the skills and confidence to respond in an emergency, consider enrolling in a CPR course:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
This training covers CPR, AED use, and real-world techniques that can help you save a life.
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