Honor bestowed by American National Red Cross and signed by President George W. Bush
St. Louis, Monday, April 30, 2007 - On Saturday, the St. Louis Area Chapter presented the Lifesaving Award of Merit from the American National Red Cross to local Red Cross volunteer Jackie Rahm of South St. Louis County, MO. The award honors Rahm, a Red Cross volunteer Health and Safety instructor, for performing CPR for nearly seven minutes to save the life of her husband, Bob. The Lifesaving Award of Merit is signed by President George W. Bush and is bestowed upon an individual for utilizing Red Cross training.
"Jackie Rahm is a true hero," said Joyce Bathke, director of health and safety for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.
"For years, Jackie has faithfully taught others how to save a life as a volunteer Red Cross instructor. Throughout her Red Cross service, Jackie never imagined that she would one day rely on her CPR skills to save her own husband."
About Jackie Rahm's Lifesaving Actions:
On August 13, 2006, Jackie Rahm had just returned from an out-of-town trip and had been home for only two hours when her husband Bob lapsed into cardiac arrest. The two had just gone to bed when Bob suddenly sat up as though he was uncomfortable. Jackie looked over at him and he was staring straight ahead. Jackie tried tapping him and raised her voice, but Bob was completely unresponsive.
Jackie called 911, ran down the hall to open the front door, and turned on the porch light to signal emergency responders. Jackie wanted to make sure the house was easy to find and didn't want to have to stop caring for Bob to open the front door when help arrived. Immediately returning to the bedroom, Jackie began CPR, continuing cycles of chest compressions and rescue breaths for nearly seven minutes.
When paramedics arrived to take over Bob's care, the medical team used a defibrillator to restore his heart's normal rhythm before rushing him to the hospital. The seven minutes of CPR administered by Jackie was the crucial link in Bob's cardiac chain of survival. Doctors credit her immediate and unrelenting efforts for his recovery.
"Jackie's story reminds us of the importance of training in preparing to respond in an emergency situation," said Bathke.
"We are so pleased that Jackie was able to save Bob's life and that she has been recognized by President Bush for her courageous actions."
About the Lifesaving Award of Merit:
The Lifesaving Award of Merit is bestowed by the American National Red Cross upon a person who saved or sustained a life as a direct result of Red Cross training. It is signed by the President of the United States, who traditionally serves as the Honorary Chairman of the American Red Cross. Since it was established in 1928, the Lifesaving Award of Merit has borne the signatures of 14 U.S. Presidents, including President George W. Bush, and nine Chairmen of the American National Red Cross Board of Governors.
About the Red Cross Lifesaver Program:
The Lifesaver Award Program is designed to inspire others to get trained in First Aid and CPR by recognizing local citizens who prepared themselves to respond in an emergency situation. Last year, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter trained more than 85,000 people locally in CPR and First Aid, including more than 15,000 in the use of AEDs. Since 1984, the Red Cross Lifesaver Program has honored more than 300 St. Louis heroes. The program supports the Red Cross mission to help our communities prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies.
In 2007, the St. Louis Area Chapter expanded the Lifesaver Award program to include the Lifesaver Community Awards. The newly expanded program honors corporations, municipalities, and civic organizations for contributing to a safer community environment by reaching employees with lifesaving First Aid and CPR training and hosting regular blood drives.
For More Information:
To learn more about the Lifesaving Award of Merit, CPR and First Aid training, or other Red Cross programs and services, please contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.
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