TD BeAT, AED Foundation Ontario, and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board Recognize World Restart a Heart Day with CPR and AED Training for Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2025

Owen Sound, ON - In recognition of World Restart a Heart Day, TD BeAT, AED Foundation Ontario, and the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board joined forces to raise awareness about the importance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) with the goal of raising survival rates from cardiac arrest.

As part of this global day of awareness, TD BeAT and AED Foundation Ontario hosted an interactive CPR and AED training session with students at St. Mary’s High School in Owen Sound. The hands-on event provided students with vital life-saving skills and emphasized the critical role bystanders play in responding to cardiac emergencies.

“Empowering young people with the knowledge and confidence to act during a cardiac emergency can truly make the difference between life and death,” said Deb Krueger, TD BeAT organizer and aunt of Tyson Downs who passed away from cardiac arrest at the age of 18.]. “TD BeAT’s community engagement is inspired by the memory of Tyson. Through initiatives like this, we honour his legacy by helping others learn how to save lives.”

The AED Foundation Ontario is Ontario’s official AED registry ensuring AEDs are properly registered, ready to rescue and integrated with the 9-1-1 system, where dispatchers will be able to direct callers to the nearest AED during a cardiac emergency.

“It’s not just about knowing how to respond, it’s about having the confidence to act without hesitation,” added Roberta Scott, cofounder of AED Foundation Ontario. “By providing students with these essential skills, we’re investing in safer communities and ensuring the next generation is ready to respond when seconds count.”

The Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board expressed its gratitude for the collaboration, highlighting the importance of health and safety education as part of its student development programs.

“Partnering with organizations like TD BeAT and the AED Foundation allows our students to gain real-world experience that can save lives,” said [Insert Name, Title, Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board]. “We’re proud to be part of this global effort to raise awareness on World Restart a Heart Day.”

World Restart a Heart Day, recognized annually on October 16, is a global initiative led by the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) to promote awareness and training in CPR and AED use.

Media Contacts:

TD BeAT & AED Foundation Ontario –

Jamie Hofing, Media Relations, jamie@aedfoundationontario.ca