In Honour of My Dad, For Our Community: Help Bring a SaveStation to Rotary Park

By Zaryna Leo

Making our Community #CardiacSafe!

About My Campaign

In February of 2026, I woke to a phone call that changed my life forever. I was told that my father, Rohan Leo, had tragically passed away at just 48 years old. What began as a simple respiratory infection the week before was dismissed by his local doctors, leaving his illness untreated until it ultimately led to sudden cardiac arrest. In a single morning, my family and I lost the man who filled our lives with love, warmth, and joy, and the world lost someone who gave so much of himself to others.

My father lived his entire life in South Africa, which meant my time with him was always shorter than I wished. When I was nine, he surprised me with a visit to Orangeville, and those few weeks remain some of my most cherished memories. We spent every day exploring parks, playing sports, wandering through town, and laughing until our stomachs hurt. Those moments shaped me, and they are the memories I hold closest to my heart.

To honour him, to keep his spirit alive, and to share the same generous, community‑minded energy he carried so naturally, I am working to install a SaveStation Outdoor AED in Orangeville’s Rotary Park. This project is my way of turning heartbreak into hope of ensuring that his passing inspires something life‑saving for others.

Rotary Park is one of Orangeville’s most vibrant community spaces, home to tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer and lacrosse fields, a skate park, and soon a new playground. It’s a place where people of all ages gather to play, move, and connect. But with busy, active spaces also comes the possibility of emergencies, and right now, the nearest AED is locked inside a storage building that most people cannot access. In a cardiac arrest, where every second matters, not knowing where to find an accessible AED can be the difference between life and loss.

Most AEDs in our community are kept inside buildings that close after working hours, leaving outdoor spaces without reliable access. By installing a SaveStation and raising awareness, my goal is to expand the availability of these life‑saving devices so that no family has to experience what mine did, a cardiac arrest with no accessible AED nearby. This is my way of honouring my dad’s legacy: transforming his story into action, protection, and community care.

My father was one of the most loving, selfless, and honourable people I have ever known. I know he would be proud to see his memory carried forward in a way that protects others and encourages people to understand the importance of AED accessibility. This project is for him, and for every heart that might one day need saving.

With less than 10 minutes to save a life from Sudden Cardiac Arrest, we all deserve the power to act. Automated External Defibrillators empower everyday people to save lives, and SaveStations make them available 24/7 in public spaces around the world.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest remains one of the leading causes of death, striking anyone, anywhere, at any time. With greater access, education, and awareness, we can make a profound difference - one that honours the people we’ve lost and protects the people we love.

This project is incredibly close to my heart. While this AED cannot bring my dad back, it allows his spirit, his kindness, and the inspiration he gave to others to live on in a tangible and life‑saving way. By helping make this SaveStation possible, you are not only supporting our community, you are helping me honour him in the most meaningful way I know.

Thank you for standing with me, for helping carry his legacy forward, and for allowing his memory to shine through the ability to save others. Your support means more than words could ever express, and I am endlessly grateful for every person who chooses to be part of this project's fruition.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$25

Justine Metereo

$50

Zubair Patel

$25

Kieran Edison

$25

Tanya Fusco

$30

Madi Pearce

lots of love to you, always<3

$50

Aidan Hartley

$100

Akhilesh

Thank you for raising awareness and funds for an AED machine that can help save lives!

$50

Adam Bosworth

May all your efforts to raise awareness and donations for the AED be successful. You are honouring your Dad's memory in a very special way.

$50

Joe Nazareth

Edna Mathias informed us about your father and your desire to have a save station in Orangeville. My wife Jennifer and I will pray that you meet your goal to make this happen. Our condolences on the loss of your dad

$100

Ahmed Ayad

Sorry again my love, but better late than never. I hope you are as proud of yourself as I am with you, you are the most wonderful person. Keep shining the most beautiful light on everyone around you, your impact will be felt 💗

$50

Craig Martin

$25

Eden Loveless

$25

Patrick Ouyang

$25

Kailey

$25

Robyn Raine

Love you Zaz, such a beautiful way to honour your dad❤️

$25

Kaela Dykstra

$25

Melissa Dias

Hi Zaryna, Your grandma informed me of your loss and it may be so shocking to lose a dad so young. You are a brave girl and so proud of you to think of others by getting a SaveStation at Rotary Park. God bless.

$25

Anonymous

$50

Olivia

this is heartbreakingly beautiful zaryna! you are such a pure soul💕

$50

Cass Palczert

this is beautiful z. your dad is so proud of you! i love you❤️

$100

Stacey Manzerolle

What a thoughtful way to honour your dad.

$100

William L Bryan

You are leaving behind an incredible legacy that honours your father and serves the Orangeville community. I know you make him and your family proud each and every day.

$50

Ahmeds Friend

$200

Cicely & Jonas Noronha

$25

Anonymous

❤️❤️

$50

Edna & Al Mathias

$20

Mary Rocca

I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you. Mary

$1

Anonymous

$100

Michael Sealey

$50

Donny Zammit

You’re an inspiration ❤️

$25

Ashlyn Longmuir

$36

Anonymous

$25

Anne Crymble

Zaryna, your grandma shared this with me, I am very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing and very impressed y what you plan on doing in his memory. Bless you

$200

Cayleih E Robertson

$50

Kayla Cira

Your dad, along with myself, is so proud of you <3

$25

Emily Ketelaars

$50

Malaya Hepburn

Love you Zaryna, this is such a thoughtful way to honour your dad and make a meaningful impact in your community. 🩷

$50

Wendy St. Kitts

You turned your sadness into a gift… keep moving young woman, you are off to a fantastic start. Love and kindness always wins❣️

$25

Greg Cira

So sorry on the loss of your dad but proud of you for doing this. Greg

$50

Michelle Inamoto Darcy

What an amazing way to honour your dad. You are an inspiration Zaryna.

$50

Donald Osmond

$25

Anonymous

$10

Anonymous

$50

Kylie Balla

$100

Justin Lasquite

$25

Quinn

My condolences to you and your family, way to make a change🫶

$35

Greg Mills

$500

Rukiya Sa'd

My darling daughter Zaryna: I am so incredibly proud of you for honouring your father in such a wonderful and special way! You are the light of our lives, he loved you so very much, and he will never be forgotten. May Allah bless you always xox

$100

Melissa Tuefrt

What an amazing way to honour your father. This AED will be so helpful to the community.

$10

Evelyn Kooblal

love u queen good luck

$25

Sophie Wiley

❤️

$50

Denis Pereira

Supporting a great cause.

$75

Steve Murphy

Your strength, your heart, and your purpose are inspiring. Keep going, you are making a difference in ways that truly matter.

$50

Elliott Madison

Sending all my love to you, Zaryna, and your family.

$25

Gloria Bucko

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. He will surely be proud of what you are doing in his honour.

$400

William L Bryan

You are an inspiration to so many people, Zaryna! You faced personal adversity with such grace and compassion.

$25

Marcello Cianfrini

$100

Gary

$25

Dolly Mehra

My deepest condolences to the entire family on the tragic passing of Rohan Leo. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah and give all of you strength, patience, and peace during this heartbreaking time. Zaryna is truly doing Allah’s work by continuing his legacy with such compassion and dedication. May Allah bless her abundantly, guide her, and reward her for all that she is doing in his honor.

$100

Adam Bosworth

May all your efforts to raise awareness and donations be successful. You are honouring your Dad's memory in a very special way.

$100

Haider Ali Khan

$50

Drew Mcintyre

$50

Jack Meldrum

$50

Jamal Holaman

Proud of everything you’re doing Z. Stay strong and continue to achieve great things. I know your dad is proud of you.

$10

Siobhan Murphy

$50

Kaitlyn Palczert

$20

Anonymous

$25

Anonymous

$5

Carlee

$20

Halima Patel

Salaam Alaiykum, dearest Zaryna. May Allah bless all your efforts and bring you to your goal. Your father would have been so proud of you!

$100

Nadia

Sending you lots of ❤️ your dad would be so proud of you. You are an incredible young woman. Wishing you all the very best.

$100

Dorothy Dickson

So proud of you, Zaryna. I wish you all the best. Lots of love... A. Dorothy

$50

Kristine Bridgman Croft

What a beautiful way to honour your father, Zaryna. Sending hugs, Kristine, friend of Alma

$20

Carlee

$100

Jaiden M

$64

Nathan Burke