On November 28, 2025, while heating up some Thanksgiving leftovers, I received a call from my mum that I won't forget. My dad - who is strong, healthy and active - suffered an unexpected cardiac arrest during the Taupo Cycle Challenge in New Zealand. In a moment where every second mattered, his friend, who was riding just behind him, immediately recognized the emergency and began CPR, joined within moments by three other courageous cyclers whose quick action and teamwork kept his heart and hope alive. Their lifesaving efforts sustained him until emergency services arrived, and he was swiftly airlifted to the nearest hospital.
9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. In most of those cases, bystander CPR was not performed.
My dad's survival stands as a powerful reminder that CPR truly saves lives, transforming ordinary people into everyday heroes and turning a near tragedy into a story of resilience, community, and the extraordinary impact of being prepared.