ANCHORAGE, Alaska, September 23, 2019 — On July 6, 2018, Ryan Gallegos called on his American Red Cross training in Adult First Aid/CPR/AED to sustain the life of a gentleman who lost consciousness at his home in Anchorage, Alaska. For this heroic and lifesaving action, Gallegos will be presented with the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit in a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. at the Alaska Maritime Prevention & Response Network (1400 W. Benson Blvd., #420 Anchorage, AK 99503). American Red Cross of Alaska Board of Directors members will also be present at the ceremony.

The Certificate of Merit is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

“We’re extremely proud to present a Certificate of Merit to Mr. Gallegos,” said Tanguy Libbrecht, Red Cross of Alaska CEO. “His actions exemplify our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

Gallegos, a GCI technician, was responding to a request to resolve a cable TV issue in July 2018, and as he entered the home, noticed that a person lying on a couch nearby was not breathing. Gallegos quickly called 911. While speaking with the dispatcher, it became apparent that CPR was required, and Gallegos quickly started chest compressions. After several minutes of performing compressions, EMTs arrived and continued to provide care, and the gentleman was transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills sessions) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.

About the American Red Cross of Alaska:
In Fiscal Year 2019, the American Red Cross of Alaska responded to 435 disasters by offering food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, hope and recovery services to 1,096 Alaskans in 50 communities statewide. Our preparedness teams installed 2,171 free smoke alarms and educated 1,409 youth through The Pillowcase Project. Our Training Services department enrolled 19,665 students in first aid/CPR/AED, aquatics and caregiving classes. Our Service to the Armed Forces staff exchanged 1,299 emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. In Fiscal Year 2019, our statewide workforce of 729 volunteers logged 40,735 hours in service to our mission and their fellow Alaskans. For more information, please visit redcross.org/Alaska or visit us on Twitter at @redcrossak.

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