Honor bestowed by American National Red Cross and signed by President George W. Bush
St. Louis, Monday, March 5, 2007 - On Monday, the St. Louis Area Chapter presented the Lifesaving Award of Merit from the American National Red Cross to local Red Cross volunteer Jim Cusic of Fairview Heights, IL. The award honors Cusic for using CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to save a life. The Lifesaving Award of Merit is signed by President George W. Bush and is bestowed for utilizing Red Cross training. Prior to this national recognition, Cusic received the Red Cross Lifesaver Award from the St. Louis Area Chapter for his heroic actions.
"Jim Cusic is an outstanding example of what it means to be a hero," said Joseph C. White, CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "It is rare to receive this prestigious national award, yet Jim has been recognized with the Lifesaving Award of Merit on two different occasions. Jim was first nationally recognized by the Red Cross for his heroic actions at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. During both situations, Jim was able to save someone's life because he was trained and ready before the crisis ever happened. March is National Red Cross Month and we encourage the public to follow Jim's example and seek lifesaving training."
About Jim Cusic's Lifesaving Actions:
In February of 2006, Jim Cusic (Fairview Heights, IL), a YMCA employee, Red Cross volunteer and former military paramedic, immediately responded when YMCA patron Jim Corsi collapsed following a workout. After Jim discovered that Mr. Corsi was not breathing and had no pulse, he sent others to call 911, requested the AED and began CPR. A team of YMCA patrons and staff soon joined Jim to help administer care. Two cycles of CPR were completed before the AED was delivered to the scene. The AED advised one shock, which was administered, and the group then continued CPR. A YMCA employee retrieved the Bag Valve Mask and oxygen, which were utilized in conjunction with CPR. Once a pulse was detected, an oral airway was inserted. At this time, Mr. Corsi was placed on his left side in the recovery position until paramedics arrived to administer advanced care.
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.
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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