Survivor Day celebrates life-saving efforts of first responders with those they save

Friday is Survivor Day, the 12th annual tribute to courage, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds formed in life’s most critical moments.

The Essex Windsor EMS and Southwest Ontario Regional Base Hospital Program held their 12th annual Survivor Day on Friday at St. Clair Centre for the Arts.

The event celebrates and reunites those who survived trauma and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in 2024. In addition, awards for performance of duties of an exceptional level are given to first responders in the line of duty.

It’s also an opportunity for patients to share their stories about the life-saving work that paramedics, firefighters, police services, ambulance communications officers, and private citizens do in our community.

For Jack Luck, his life forever changed in 2024 when he suffered cardiac arrest at the age of 18. The active and athletic Luck is a kick-boxer – with no known signs of cardiovascular health problems.

Fortunately, his father called 911 and when EMS arrived – life saving measures were performed.

For Luck – fortune is superseded by faith, gratitude, and humility. Now, the young man is continuing to rebuild his health and to appreciate every moment of it.

“[Now, it’s about] taking care of myself, you know - waking up every day thanking God because I’m here, thanking everyone that was there with me that day,” said Luck. “But as far as, you know, getting back on my feet and getting active again, I’m trying to get back in the gym as much as I can.”

Dawn Hodges, a 28-year veteran paramedic, saved Luck’s life. Her dedication to her profession, training, and experience are the focal point of her part in this story. Hodges is just happy that Luck is alive and well, and that his family are so very happy about the outcome, too.

“I think, there are a lot of heroes in this world, and I guess to be called one - it’s difficult for us to hear,” said Hodges. “But, yeah, we do tend to say it’s part of the job. It’s our duty. It’s our profession. But it does feel good to be recognized. It’s been a good day for us.”