Community Champions

An ACT community champion is an individual, group of individuals, or organization who volunteers their time and effort to promote the ACT Program to their peers, bring the ACT Program to their community, or offer an innovative approach that ensures the success of the ACT Program in their community. 

“It is a wonderful example of successful partnerships effecting positive change where we live, work, and play. By working together, we are making our communities healthier.” 

Community Champion stories are shared below.

Nova Scotia pharmacist brings CPR to his community

John McNeil is a great example of a pharmacist stepping out from behind the counter and taking an active role in his community.

Retired Quebec Director of Education champions ACT High School CPR Program

Ellen Wernecke is known as a person who gets things done. So when the ACT Foundation asked her to champion the high school CPR program in the Lakeshore School Board where she was Director of Education in 1996, she jumped right in.

Former Superintendent Gerry Clarke helps bring the ACT High School CPR Program to Ottawa

Gerry Clarke knew any challenges in promoting Ottawa’s first high school CPR program would be well worth it.

Quebec Nurse helps bring ACT High School CPR Program to her teenagers’ school

For a lot of reasons, Shirley Straughton believes everyone should know CPR. For one, Shirley is a cardiac nurse, and knows all too well about heart disease. For another, as the Health Issues Coordinator for the Quebec Federation of Home and School Associations, it’s her goal to see that students receive quality health care education.

Prescott-Russell resident helps bring the ACT High School CPR Program to his community

Having worked with an ambulance company in the rural area of Prescott-Russell for about three decades, Rene Berthiaume has been eyewitness to the benefits of CPR training and the tragic results of its absence.