A healthy place to shop in more ways than one

Whole Foods grocery stores are a great place to shop if you are focusing on your health. But a team of employees from the Mississauga location took “being healthy” to a whole new level when they saved the life of a co-worker last summer.

The team of five Whole Foods staff members were honoured by the Canadian Red Cross last week for using their quick-thinking and first aid skills to save the life of their colleague Kelly Goddard.
Last July, Kelly was working her shift in the bakery when she walked into one of the coolers and collapsed. A fellow employee was nearby and found Kelly lying on the ground pale and lifeless and called out for assistance. At that point, other co-workers sprung into action. One called 911, while the other members of the team rushed to her aid. They carried Kelly out of the cooler, assessed her condition, and two of them took turns performing CPR while they waited for the paramedics to arrive and take over. Kelly was thankfully revived at the hospital and had to undergo surgery, but recovered and is now back at work.



Five out of the six employees who assisted during Kelly’s ordeal had previously completed a Red Cross first aid training course as part of their employment with Whole Foods. Had it not been for the team’s quick action, it is doubtful that the outcome would have been as positive.

The Canadian Red Cross was able to honour the team on April 25 by presenting them with a Red Cross Rescuer Award at their Square One Whole Foods store. Receiving an award was Lisa Slater, Dario Brenes, Mary Frewen, Chris Goodfellow, and Tim Everett. Rescuer Awards honour ordinary citizens who go out of their way to save a life, prevent further injury, or who provide comfort to someone who has been injured.  Read the full article from the Mississauga News.

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