Filipino 'Hero Nanny' Seriously Injured After Saving 2 Kids in Canada

Jillian Mendoza is a Filipina nanny working in Toronto, Canada. Last February 24, she was pushing a stroller with two toddlers aged 2 and 3 along St. Clair Avenue in the city when an SUV reportedly driven by a man in his 80s lost control and backed up into the sidewalk straight towards them. Mendoza only had a split second to act—she was hit by the vehicle as she pushed the stroller out of harm’s way. 

News reports quoting witnesses said Mendoza ended up getting pinned between the SUV and a shattered storefront window.

While the two kids only suffered minor injuries, Mendoza suffered from head trauma and broken bones. She reportedly already had three surgeries within the first 24 hours after the incident.

There has been an outpouring of love and support for Mendoza, who has been dubbed the “hero nanny.” A friend and fellow nanny set up a fundraising effort on GoFundMe that has so far raised over CAD165,000 (about P6.35 million).

According to Global News Canada, the thirtysomething Mendoza came to work in Toronto by herself from the Philippines, where she was a nurse. She left behind a daughter and her parents in her home country.

The news outlet was also able to speak with the mother of the children that Jillian saved.

“She’s the utmost loving and caring nanny and caregiver and I know she would have done everything in her power to protect them,” the mother named Allison said. “We just wanted her to feel that we care for her and we will support her through this.”

Mendoza is still recuperating and reportedly needs more surgeries and time to recover.