LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2020 – Yesterday, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region honored Matt Juranek, a lifeguard at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in Pasadena, for saving a man’s life during a cardiorespiratory emergency in December. For his actions, Juranek received the Lifesaving Award, one of the highest honors given by the Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals, who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.
SEE: Photos of Red Cross Lifesaving Award Acceptance (Flickr)
ALSO SEE: B-roll of Red Cross Lifesaving Award Acceptance (Vimeo)
Juranek, a Red Cross trained lifeguard, was on duty at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center when a swimmer experienced a cardiorespiratory emergency. Responding quickly, Juranek dove in the pool, took hold of the man in crisis and removed him from the water safely before initiating chest compressions. Emergency Medical Responders arrived shortly after and continued care.
For his quick thinking and courageous act, Juranek was honored in a virtual ceremony that featured representatives from the Red Cross and the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. He was presented the Red Cross Lifesaving Award certificate, bearing the signatures of Gail McGovern, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, and Chairperson of the Board, Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.
SEE: Virtual Lifesaving Award ceremony (Facebook)
“With summer upon us, we hope that Matt’s story will inspire everyone to take the necessary actions needed, to keep themselves and their family safe around water this summer,” said Erica Frausto, executive director of the Red Cross serving the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valley. “We need more heroes in the community, who are trained and ready to act. This is an invitation for others to learn and help us keep the community safe.”
To date, the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program has honored 833 heroes, who have saved the lives of 379 people worldwide.
“We’ve proudly served our Pasadena community for 30 years, celebrating our 30th birthday this month and it wouldn’t be happening without people like Matt,” said Kurt Knop, facilities director for the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center. “Matt has been un unbelievable contributor to our effects in not only providing safety to our clients and families, but also an understanding and a capacity for compassionately caring for these individuals. It’s that level of dedication why he is honored today for his commitment to saving lives.”
GET TRAINED 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 session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.
NOMINATE SOMEONE People can go to LifesavingAwards.org to nominate and recognize an individual or group of individuals who have used the skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain a life.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.