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Two people are spending Christmas with their families this year thanks to a group of Saskatoon heroes.
Elaine Brecelj and Karen Villanoa were among five people awarded plaques by MD Ambulance at a ceremony Wednesday.
The pair are credited with saving the life of 38-year-old Vincent Bitusis.
Bitusis had a heart attack Dec. 3, while playing recreational basketball at Holy Cross High School.
“Three minutes into the game I collapsed,” he said. “My vision started to go blurry and I didn’t remember anything.”
Brecelj and Villanoa immediately started CPR and shocked him with an AED.
“I’m so thankful to the ladies for saving me,” Bitusis said. “Defibrillators are so great.”
Bitusis noted his brother also suffered a heart attack in his late 30’s while playing basketball.
“I’m a little concerned because it seems to be a family trend,” he said.
Brecelj said she very much appreciated the recognition from the city’s ambulance service.
“This is very rewarding,” Brecelj said. “Not a lot of people get to say they saved somebodies life, so it’s an unreal feeling.”
Jordan Dorsey, Rhea Longakit, and Bruce Pearson were also recognized for saving 54-year-old Richard Gryschuk, who suffered a heart attack in May while swimming at Lakewood Civic Centre.
900 businesses have AEDs in Saskatoon, which has the highest rate of bystanders saving people in North America at 23 lives saved
