CHIHUAHUAS TO CPR, RED CROSS HONORS OREGON HEROES
Posted: February 25th, 2010 11:24 AM
March 9 Breakfast of Champions highlights amazing efforts
PORTLAND, Ore. – Whether you're hiking a trail, hard at work or heading to the gym, you never know when disaster might strike.
Three Oregon heroes – Steve Revier, Sean Cusack and Brian Miskimins – knew just what to do in case of emergency. They jumped into action, using their skills and smarts to save lives. And while Jack the Chihuahua had no formal training, his barking definitely made the difference in an apartment fire.
On Tuesday, March 9 at 7:30 a.m., five local heroes will be honored at the American Red Cross' signature event – the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. The ceremony will take place at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd., and all funds raised go to support disaster relief, CPR/first aid training and other services throughout the Oregon Trail Chapter's 16-county service area. For more information, visit www.oregonredcross.org/champions.
2010 HERO PROFILES
** High res photos of each hero are available for download at www.oregonredcross.org/2010heroes **
Brian Miskimins, CPR Hero
Sponsored by Oregon Health & Science University
When Brian Miskimins (Tigard) pulled into the gym's snowy parking lot, his eyes caught on an older man dropping to the pavement. When Brian and a friend went to help the man to his feet, they discovered he'd gone into full cardiac arrest.
Brian immediately began CPR while his friend called 911. An AED was brought out, and a physician – who just happened to be at the gym that day – helped administer a shock. Although the situation didn't look promising, the team did all they could.
Since then, the man has made an incredible recovery, and the group that helped him has grown close. A year later, they gathered to celebrate their good luck – both for helping him and for finding each other.
Steve Revier, Professional Rescue Hero
Sponsored by Portland General Electric
Oneonta Falls Trail is both beautiful and treacherous, requiring hikers to climb over a large logjam to access the creek and waterfalls. Paramedic Steve Revier (Hood River) was there to explore, but found more than he'd bargained for – a hiker who'd fallen into the creek and nearly drowned in the swiftly moving water.
After bystanders pulled the victim from the creek and administered CPR, Steve assessed the situation. He placed a nearby backpack under the victim to keep him off the rocks and fashioned a cervical collar out of a splint to protect the victim's spinal cord. When medical crews arrived, Steve helped safely transport the hiker out of the wet and cold environment, proving he had the leadership, critical thinking and compassion required to save a life.
Jack the Chihuahua, Dog Hero (Owner Chris Santiago)
Sponsored by Fred Meyer
The barking of a small dog is more likely to result in annoyance than appreciation. But in the case of Jack the Chihuahua (Oregon City), there's no doubt his neighbors are thankful for his 3 a.m. wake-up call.
When Jack spotted flames in an apartment building last August, his continued barking worked up owner Chris Santiago, who in turn roused the building's residents and tried to fight the fire with a garden hose.
Fortunately, all residents were able to safely evacuate before firefighters arrived. Thanks to Chris' quick thinking – and Jack's persistent volume – no one was injured or required medical treatment.
Sean Cusack, Fire Hero
Sponsored by The Standard
Last summer, Eugene van Heusden sat in his apartment, absorbed in a phone conversation. Because his hearing is poor, it took several loud knocks to draw his attention. But Trader Joe's employee Sean Cusack (SW Portland) didn't give up – van Heusden's apartment building was on fire.
When the two-alarm fire was spotted, Sean jumped into action, calling 911 and helping van Heusden and 16 other residents at Northwest Portland's Roselyn Apartments escape safely. Once things were under control, the Oregon Red Cross took over where the quick thinking Sean left off, assisting residents with the basics – a hot meal and a safe shelter in which to spend the night.
Thomas Stapleton, Blood Hero
Sponsored by Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services
When Thomas Stapleton's (NE Portland) wife was pregnant and couldn't give blood, she asked him to donate on her behalf. That simple favor has turned into a lifelong commitment – two decades later, Stapleton has donated more than 50 pints of blood to the Red Cross.
As an O-negative "universal" donor, Thomas' blood can be used for transfusions to people with any blood type, and plays a key role in maintaining our community's blood supply. Knowing he's a valuable resource, Thomas recently switched over from regular blood donation to a process called double red cell donation. Now he can give two units in just one sitting, helping save twice as many lives as ever before.
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In Oregon, the American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disaster an average of 10 times a week; supplies more than 90 percent of Oregon 's blood; teaches thousands of Oregonians lifesaving skills; offers transportation to seniors and the disabled; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.oregonredcross.org or join our award-winning blog at www.oregonredcross.org/blog.
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