By Alana Mauger

During a virtual ceremony on June 16, the American Red Cross awarded Certificates of Merit to Margaret Root and Dylan L’Heureux for extraordinary actions they took to save lives in emergency situations. The Certificate of Merit is the oldest and most prestigious Red Cross Lifesaving Award. It is signed by the President of the United States, who traditionally serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Red Cross.    

“These individuals are true heroes and stewards of the Red Cross mission, and we commend them for their willingness to help others in distress,” said Jennifer Graham, executive director, Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter.

Margaret Root

The first Certificate of Merit was presented to Margaret (Meg) Root who came to the aid of a co-worker suffering from cardiac arrest on Jan. 9, 2020. She assessed that the victim was pulseless, apneic and extremely cyanotic. While Meg went to retrieve an AED, another employee administered CPR until she returned to the scene. Meg was able to revive the victim until EMS arrived.

Despite being a registered nurse and participating in CPR training for more than 30 years, Meg acknowledged this is the first time she had to use those skills in an emergency situation. 

“As a nurse, I feel it’s my call of duty to help; it’s just what I was supposed to do,” she said. “I was really fortunate to have the Red Cross training.”

As part of her employer’s first aid team, Meg and her colleagues received Red Cross Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers training in 2019.

“It was quite an event,” Meg continued. “This person was unresponsive, and 20 minutes later, he was alive and talking. For the AED to talk me through it and for him to respond, it was really remarkable.”

Dylan L’Heureux

The second Certificate of Merit was presented to Dylan L’Heureux, who saved a woman from choking on Sept. 8, 2020. As she was getting out of her car in a Target parking lot, Nancy Lewis began choking on a large calcium pill she was trying to swallow. She saw Dylan sitting in his car, tapped on his window and put her hands on her throat in the universal sign for choking.

An experienced lifeguard, Dylan immediately sprang into action. He jumped out of his car and performed back blows and abdominal thrusts until Nancy could breathe again. He also stayed with her for 20-30 minutes until she was calm and able to breathe comfortably.

“That was my first experience as far as saving anybody,” Dylan shared, noting that the pool for which he is a lifeguard stresses prevention, and he hasn’t had to “go above and beyond” in the water.

“It was that realization that, wow, all the skills I’ve been training…this is what it was meant for. And just recognizing I know what I’m doing here was a very neat experience,” he said. “I’m so grateful to be put in that position where I could help someone else.”

Dylan is certified in Red Cross Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid, among other training.

Lifesaving Awards program

The Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program is comprised of four awards. In addition to the Certificate of Merit, the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders and Healthcare Professionals is given to trained people who respond to emergencies as part of their work. The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action goes to people who lack Red Cross training but who step up during an emergency. Finally, the Lifesaving Instructor Award is given to instructors who teach the skills that help save or sustain lives.

You can nominate and recognize a person or group who have used the skills and knowledge gained in Red Cross training courses to help save or sustain a life. Visit LifesavingAwards.org to get started.