ANCHORAGE – MAR. 18, 2025 – The American Red Cross of Alaska proudly announces the 2025 class of heroes that will be honored at its 25^th annual Real Heroes Award Ceremony on Tuesday, March 25 at 6:00 p.m. at Alaska Performing Arts Center Discovery Theater. These individuals have gone above to save a life and make a significant impact in their communities across the state.

The Heroes Awards were established to raise public awareness of local heroes who exemplify the values of the Red Cross. “Our Real Heroes Awards celebrates ordinary people with extraordinary courage, compassion and community impact,” said Tanguy Libbrecht, American Red Cross of Alaska Regional Executive. “We are so excited to celebrate 25 years of amazing heroes who truly demonstrate the resilient Alaskan spirit.”

The Red Cross will honor its class of heroes at this year's event, which will welcome hundreds of guests from across Alaska.

2025 Real Heroes Honorees: The 2025 Class of Heroes will be recognized across ten categories and were selected by an independent committee of business and civic leaders. The Red Cross pays tribute to these inspiring individuals through their remarkable stories, which will be highlighted during the event.

*** Click Here to download hero photos***

Youth Good Samaritan: Headli Billuk (Anchorage)

Headli is a 6th grader at Willow Creek Elementary School. While having lunch in the school’s cafeteria, he noticed another student coughing and not breathing. He quickly used the skills he had recently learned in health class and performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food the other student was choking on.

Adult Good Samaritan: Hanna Eklund (Anchorage)

On a warm summer day at Goose Lake in Anchorage, a hero sprang to action after seeing someone struggling in the water. Hanna calmly used her skills to assess and manage a water rescue of two girls needing assistance, saving two lives in the process.

Fire Rescue: Ryan Campbell (North Pole)

On a normal summer day in North Pole, Alaska, an off-duty engineer with the North Pole Fire Department received an alert of a structure fire just two houses away from his location. Without hesitation, Ryan Campbell responded saving several lives that day.

Transportation Safety: Tristen Pattee and Jayson Danziger (Kotzebue)

When a major storm caused intense flooding that impacted much of Kotzebue in mid-October, Jerry Jones and his 6- and 7-year-old boys were at their remote fishing cabin miles away from town. Emergency responders contacted Red Dog Mine as they knew they had rescue capabilities, and pilot Jaysen Danziger, and his co-operator Tristen Pattee volunteered for the operation.

Alaska Safety: Tye Reed (Eielson Air Force Base)

Tye Reed’s outstanding performance and dedication in training program development, instructor presentations, and personal enhancement of the fire service in Fairbanks make him a real safety hero. His efforts have not just protected lives and properties but also enhanced the fire service’s image and capability in Alaska. 

Wilderness Rescue: Chris Johnson (Kenai)

On August 17th, 2024, Alaska State Trooper Chris Johnson was on a hike with his adult son Tyler Johnson near the headwaters of Abernathy Creek, approximately 3 miles off the Resurrection Trail System between Hope and Copper Landing. Chris suddenly saw the alders and grass moving to his left and heard a loud roar.   

Medical Rescue: Michael Gho (Ruby)

On the night of March 29th, 2024, Village Public Safety Officer Michael Gho received a call stating there were two severely injured snowmobile riders 1.5 miles below a Bible Camp on the Yukon River. Braving a blizzard and helicopter rescue delays, Michael constructed a sled using a mattress to transport the injured riders to safety.  

Marine Rescue: Denver Perry, Kyle Perry, Moses Perry, Graison Perry, and Peyton Hacker (Fairbanks)

Denver Perry, his two sons, Moses and Kyle, and his two grandsons, Graison and Peyton, were driving their boat down the Chitina River while on their way toward the canyon to fish.  Little did they know that they would be involved in a daring marine rescue of a fellow Alaskan in a very dangerous river.  

Military / Law Enforcement: Joan Butler (JBER)

Officer Joan Butler was dispatched to a medical emergency where a civilian contractor was working in a housing neighborhood and had collapsed. Joan arrived on the scene, and paramedics arrived as well. She took over completing high-quality compressions while the medical personnel set up life-saving equipment. 

Workplace / North Slope Safety: Jesse Aldous, Kevin, Baronsky, Mark Byrum, Diane Dahlheimer, Chad Kurry, Ryan McClure, Jason Reed, Richard Rifley, Ethan Stevenson and Michael Stewman (Prudhoe Bay)

A quick and coordinated response by a group of heroes in the cafeteria of the Prudhoe Bay Operation Center in November of 2024 resulted in the life of a coworker being saved.  

This year’s American Red Cross of Alaska Real Heroes Award is made possible thanks to generous sponsors, including: ConcoPhillips, Lynden, Marsh McClennan Agency, Swanson Family Foundation, Petrotechnical Resources Alaska, Global Credit Union, Providence Alaska, LifeMed Alaska, Johnson River Enterprises, IMA Financial, and others

For more information about the 2025 Real Heroes Awards, visit Redcross.org/Alaska

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.