RedCrossPhillyBlog

Category: Lifesaving Awards

  • Allison Yannaccone recognized for using Red Cross training to help save a life

    By Alana Mauger

    Allison Yannaccone receives an American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders from Guy Triano, CEO, Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region, on Sept. 20, 2022 in Philadelphia.
    Photo by Dave Skutnik/American Red Cross.  

    Every year, the American Red Cross trains thousands of people in skills like first aid and CPR to help them respond to emergencies. Yet, even for professional responders, using those skills in a crisis requires quick thinking and decisive action.

    On Tuesday, the Red Cross recognized Allison Yannaccone, of Perkasie, with a Lifesaving Award for using her training to help save a patron’s life during a medical emergency.

    While working as an aquatics supervisor on June 4, 2022 at a Montgomery County, Pennsylvania fitness facility, Allison was alerted that there was an emergency in the seating area of the outdoor pool deck. She responded to discover a patron on her side with blue hands, lips and face.

    After calling 9-1-1- and starting emergency care, Allison discovered the patron had no pulse and had vomit in her mouth. She performed CPR until police arrived on the scene, at which time Allison continued chest compressions while a police officer performed bag-valve-mouth ventilation. EMTs took over the patron’s care when they arrived. Thanks to her action and skill, the patron survived.

    “Allison exemplifies the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies,” said Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Guy Triano. “We commend her for her willingness to help others in distress.”

    Allison is Red Cross-trained and has taken our Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid courses. For her efforts, Allison was nominated and received a Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders.

    Lifesaving Awards program

    The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders is awarded to Red Cross-trained first responders and healthcare professionals acting while on duty. It is one of four awards given as part of the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program. To nominate and recognize a person or group who has taken action to save or sustain a life, visit LifesavingAwards.org.

  • Red Cross honors Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Taroski for his lifesaving efforts

    By Alana Mauger

    Sgt. Jeffrey Taroski (center) with his wife Caitlin and Red Cross Southeastern PA Regional CEO Guy Triano. Photo by Dave Skutnik/American Red Cross.

    On Tuesday, the American Red Cross presented Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Taroski, of Philadelphia, with a Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders to recognize his heroic actions last year.

    While on duty at a Philadelphia casino on June 8, 2021, Sgt. Taroski was alerted that an individual needed assistance after sustaining a severe arm laceration while working on a mechanical device in the wardrobe room. When he arrived, Sgt. Taroski observed the individual laying on the floor in a pool of blood, and he determined that 9-1-1 emergency services were needed.

    Based on his training, experience and quick thinking, Sgt. Taroski recognized that the bright red blood pumping from the individual’s arm was arterial blood. Observing that the pool of blood was getting larger, he acted quickly to preserve the individual’s arm and life. He used a belt as a tourniquet, tightly wrapping it above the wound until an actual tourniquet could be applied. Next, he used towels to apply pressure to the wound, preventing further blood loss. Finally, he called 9-1-1 back to upgrade the seriousness of the initial call

    In a letter of nomination, one of his colleagues writes that Sgt. Taroski “demonstrated strong leadership and remained calm throughout the stressful situation,” delegating necessary duties to other Troopers to maintain scene and crowd control, safety and effective communication with emergency services and involved personnel.

    Lifesaving Awards program

    The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders is awarded to Red Cross-trained first responders and healthcare professionals acting while on duty. It is one of four awards given as part of the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program. To nominate and recognize a person or group who has taken action to save or sustain a life, visit LifesavingAwards.org.

  • Local healthcare workers honored with Red Cross Lifesaving Awards

    By Alana Mauger

    Pictured at Gloria Dei Memory Care at the Park in Hatboro are (front row, from left) Rochelle Sajda, administrator; Justyna Witesk, charge nurse; (back row, from left) Dave Hoffer, dietary director; Christina Morasco, activities director; Jennifer Graham, executive director, Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter; and Tina Toliver, med tech/CNA. Photo by Elisabeth von Baldas/American Red Cross

    On Thursday, three employees at Gloria Dei Memory Care at the Park in Hatboro, Montgomery County, received American Red Cross Certificates of Extraordinary Personal Action for stepping up to help save a resident in an emergency situation.

    In May, Charge Nurse Justyna Witesk, Dietary Director Dave Hoffer and Med Tech/CNA Tina Toliver took lifesaving action when a resident began choking during lunch. According to Activities Director Christina Morasco, who submitted the award nomination, the resident was in obvious distress, was turning blue and eventually lost consciousness.

    In response, Toliver called 9-1-1 immediately, then secured the area and kept residents safe and calm while Witesk and Hoffer administered abdominal thrusts. Their actions helped clear the resident’s airway, and she was able to breathe and begin speaking softly.

    On Sept. 8, Morasco and Administrator Rochelle Sajda staged a surprise lunchtime celebration for the recipients, during which Jennifer Graham, executive director, Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter, presented the awards.

    “These individuals exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies,” said “We commend them for their willingness to help others in distress.”

    The awardees received a certificate and pin from the Red Cross, and flowers, lunch and lifesaver-theme cakes from the facility.

    Lifesaving Awards program

    The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is awarded to people who step forward in an emergency situation to help save or sustain a human life. It is one of four awards given as part of the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program. To nominate and recognize a person or group who has taken action to save or sustain a life, visit LifesavingAwards.org.

  • Lincoln Rajasky awarded Certificate of Merit for lifesaving efforts

    Photo courtesy of Lincoln Rajsky

    By Alana Mauger

    Last month, the American Red Cross awarded a Certificate of Merit to Lincoln Rajsky for extraordinary actions he took to save a child’s life. 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.   

    Lincoln was enjoying dinner at a friend’s home in July 2020 when a young child began to choke. He quickly rose from his seat, went behind the child and began administering back blows and, ultimately, abdominal thrusts. The child soon expelled the food and began to breathe.

    Lincoln is certified in Red Cross Lifeguarding with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid. The skills he learned in these Red Cross Training Services course helped to save the life of this child. 

    “Lincoln’s action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress. He is a hero and steward of the Red Cross mission,” said Jennifer Graham, executive director, Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter.

    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.