LOS ANGELES, CA, May 19, 2025 — The iconic Queen Mary served as a commanding backdrop on Friday, May 16, as the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region honored 20 extraordinary individuals during its 20th Annual Hometown Heroes Luncheon.

See photos from the 20^th Annual Hometown Heroes Luncheon

This milestone year marked two decades of the Hometown Heroes event, which celebrated 16 brave lifesavers, one inspirational military veteran and three dedicated blood donor champions—individuals who made life-changing differences through emergency response, service to others and actions that embodied the Red Cross mission.

Over 450 guests gathered to celebrate the honorees, including their loved ones, Red Cross volunteers and employees, sponsors, community partners and supporters from across the region. The Queen Mary’s Grand Ballroom filled with emotion and applause as each hero’s tale unfolded stories of quick thinking, unwavering dedication and the deep impact one person can have.

“These honorees didn’t wait for someone else to act. They became the help,” said Amy Papageorges, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Long Beach and South Bay Chapter. “They are reminders that heroism doesn’t always wear a uniform—sometimes it looks like a neighbor, a co-worker, a veteran, or a stranger who simply refused to walk away.”

Whether pulling someone from danger, providing life-saving blood or serving their country, the 2025 honorees represent the deep values of courage and service that drive the Red Cross workforce and inspire us all.

The 2025 awardees:

Altadena resident Tom Drew - During the Eaton Fire, Tom Drew risked his life trying to save his friend, Ossie Altmetz. Called at 5:20 a.m., Tom rushed to help his friend instead of evacuating his own home. Thick smoke, flying embers and power loss hindered Tom’s search. Ultimately, he lost his friend and his own home, but his loyalty, bravery and selflessness in the face of disaster remain deeply moving.

Santa Monica residents Jeff Jarow, Stephanie Inouye & Trevor Nichols - helped save an elderly woman trapped in her burning apartment. Nichols crawled under smoke to reach her and confirmed no children were inside. Inouye and Jarow helped carry her to safety. Despite injuries, the woman survived. Their quick thinking and teamwork ensured no lives were lost.

Long Beach resident Debbie Truax - Retired nurse practitioner Debbie Truax performed CPR for over 10 minutes on Phil Reed after he collapsed on a tennis court, keeping him alive through a CrowdStrike-related delay in EMT’s arrival. Her actions restored his heartbeat and he later survived quadruple bypass surgery. With a survival rate under 8% for such cases, Debbie’s lifesaving intervention made the difference between life and death.

Santa Ana resident Max Whitt - Off-duty firefighter and paramedic Max Whitt responded to a cardiac arrest at the Big Bear Oktoberfest. Recognizing a man had no pulse, Max initiated CPR and worked alongside other responders, relaying vital information to paramedics. His actions helped save a life threatened by a “widow maker” artery blockage. He was later honored with the Meritorious Service Award.

Los Angeles resident and City of Lakewood employee Annie Fernandez - When Annie Fernandez noticed her coworker DeeAnna choking, she was alone and unable to call for help. Annie sprang into action, performing the Heimlich maneuver until the obstruction cleared. DeeAnna began breathing again, and Annie stayed by her side to ensure she recovered. Her calm, decisive response saved a life at a critical moment.

Hawthorne resident Lisa Runnel, Whittier resident Hip Cerda, Lakewood resident Gabriel Suarez, Lakewood resident Mike Johnson and San Pedro resident Bernie Gonzalez-Diaz - When a co-worker collapsed at work, these five employees acted quickly. Lisa and Hip positioned the victim so Gabriel could begin CPR, while Mike and Lisa assisted with breathing. Bernie and Hip retrieved the AED, which delivered a lifesaving shock. The team continued CPR until the man regained breath. Their teamwork and first aid/CPR training helped save a life and emphasize the importance of preparation.

Palos Verdes resident Lisa Boyd - Lisa Boyd saved two lives through her CPR training, including a construction worker at her home who suffered cardiac arrest. Lisa’s swift actions and knowledge of CPR kept him alive until paramedics arrived, underscoring the importance of CPR education.

Artesia resident Diana Sagert and Placentia resident Laura Chavez – Diana Sagert and Laura Chavez performed CPR on Tim Sagert, who collapsed from a heart attack after a Rams game. Tim made a full recovery, thanks to their timely intervention.

Huntington Beach resident Andrew Henry Archibeque - Army Veteran Andrew Archibeque served as a Combat Medic during the Vietnam War, one of only 17 medics drafted from California. His duties involved providing life-saving care to soldiers in the field, often under extreme danger. In addition to treating battlefield injuries, he showed compassion to orphans and street children in Vietnam.

The Hometown Heroes awards luncheon was made possible by the generosity of our sponsors, including California Resource Corporation, Capital Group, Marathon, Suburban Propane and The Walt Disney Company.

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.