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Newsroom Chapter Blog
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Jan
26
1/26/2009 3:51 PM
What an incredible afternoon here at the Red Cross. We held our Lifesaver Awards, where we get to recognize the incredible achievements of everyday folks who have managed to save a life. Today's ceremony was full of emotional stories. Here they are (with pictures!):
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Michael Heitert (Dellwood, MO) –Michael was participating in swim practice at the Dellwood Recreation Center when his teammate, Eric Springli, hit his head on the pool bottom following a dive. As a Red Cross trained lifeguard instructor, Michael knew to call 911 and help keep Eric calm as other pool employees retrieved a backboard. Michael helped strap Eric to the backboard to keep his head and neck stabilized. Eric had broken two vertebrae in his neck, and doctors put him in a halo for several months. Eric’s doctors said were it not for Michael’s quick response, the injuries would have been more severe.
Pictured left to right: Cindy Erickson (CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Michael Heitert, Eric Springli, and Kelly McGrath (Previous Pool Manager, Dellwood).
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Mike Otec and DawnStreckfuss (Arnold, MO) – On the second day of class at Sherwood Elementary, teacher Dawn Streckfuss noticed one of her students crying. As she approached 6-year-old MacKenzie, the girl pointed at her throat. Realizing she could not breathe, Dawn instinctively reacted by performing abdominal thrusts. After several tries, the piece of candy that was lodged in MacKenzie’s throat came free. Just a few weeks later, Mike Otec performed his own life-saving act. While on cafeteria duty, a 9-year-old girl came up to Mike, appearing to be ill. Mike quickly got her to the trash can, but then realized Sidney was not sick – she was unable to breathe. Mike started giving Sidney abdominal thrusts, and on the second try, the food became dislodged.
Pictured left to right: Cindy Erickson (CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Sidney Pribble (student, Sherwood Elementary), Mike Otec (Custodian, Sherwood Elementary), Dawn Streckfuss (Teacher, Sherwood Elementary), Colleen Cole (Principal, Sherwood Elementary) and Mackenzie Caffery (Student, Sherwood Elementary).
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Mike Wood (Granite City, IL) – Right outside Mike’s house, a driver hit a man with her SUV and dragged him 50 feet underneath the vehicle. Mike, an eight-year Red Cross CPR and First Aid Instructor, knew exactly what to do to help. Mike was able to help calm other bystanders and clear the victim’s airway to restore his breathing. When paramedics arrived, Mike helped them lift the SUV off the trapped man. The Madison County Sheriff said had it not been for Mike’s quick response, the outcome would have been much worse.
Pictured left to right are: Cindy Erickson (CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Mike Wood, and his wife Sandy Wood.
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Brinda Morrison (St. Louis, MO) – In the middle of a crowded lunchroom at Maplewood-Richmond Heights Elementary, Brinda Morrison noticed 5th grader Gryffin start to choke. Brinda had just completed a CPR and First Aid course through a Red Cross partner a few months earlier, and knew what to do. Brinda asked the children nearby to move to another table, while she started performing abdominal thrusts. On the third attempt, Gryffin coughed up the piece of chicken that was stuck in his throat.
Pictured left to right are: Cindy Erickson (CEO, American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter), Brinda Morrison (Maplewood-Richmond Heights Elementary), Janet Swallow (Maplewood-Richmond Heights Elementary).
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Vincent Dohnal, Denice Rice, Robert Frantz, Tracy McKeage, Bill Prott (St. Louis, MO) – These five individuals all work at the downtown TUMS® plant. When co-worker Alan Kohler collapsed in the tableting hall, they worked together to save his life. Vincent Dohnal called for help and notified the First Aid Response Team. Denice Rice started CPR compressions, and soon Robert Frantz was assisting her with rescue breaths. Tracy McKeage responded from several floors away, and took over compressions, while Bill Prott arrived with the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The AED analyzed Alan’s heart rhythm and determined a shock was advised. Bill Prott pushed the button to deliver the shock, and afterward, Alan regained a strong pulse. Within minutes, he was conscious and up walking around.
Pictured left to right are: Tracy McKeage, Bill Prott, Denice Rice, Vincent Dohnal and Bob Frantz.
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If you know someone who deserves a Lifesaver Award, please fill out a nomination form.
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2 comment(s) so far...
Re: Honoring St. Louis Heroes
ITS GREAT TO SEE THAT THERE IS ALOT OF PEOPLE BEING HONORED FOR THERE HOEROISM. THATS MY MOM AND HER CO-WORKERS FROM TUMS THAT SAVED ANOTHER CO -WORKERS LIFE. I ALWAYS TOLD MY MOM THAT SHE COULD DO AND DO EVERYTHING FOR ANYONE AND EVERYBODY.
By YOLANDA RICE on
1/31/2009 10:19 AM
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Re: Honoring St. Louis Heroes
I was at a dinner party munching on a cheese cracker while talking with friends. I went to express an opinion while swollowing and it happened. I felt a stricture in my throat. Not able to utter a sound no one new what had happened. It became frightfully obvious that I could not draw in breath, cough.... I just stood there while everyone continued to talk and carry on. I hurried out into the hallway. I was met by an elderly gentelman in the hall returning from the restroom. I gestered towards my throat. He said can you breath.
Not able to answer I threw both my arms straight up into the air. He calmly spun me around saying nothing, he strarted to preform the abdominal thrust maneuver,( Heimlich Maneuver). On the 4th try I began to cough violently. It hurt every muscle in my chest, neck and back. My make up was dripping off of my face and I could not speak yet due to the violent coughing fit, BUT I COULD GET AIR. I went into the ladies room. I satyed coughing for what seemed like forever. Once I composed myself I returned to find the party in full swing. Like nobody realized that a mother of three small children, a 34 yr old person just nearly died. I began to cry and grabbed up my husband and we left. To live another day. I cannot locate my hero. He must have been ~ 68 to 72 yrs old. Thank you who ever you are. You saved my life.
By Tracy Heartfirm on
3/28/2009 9:32 PM
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