by Julie Uiterwijk

The 2026 Red Cross Gala recently brought community leaders, volunteers and supporters together at The Conservatory at One Sansome in San Francisco, Calif. to raise support for American Red Cross preparedness, response and recovery programs. The evening paid tribute to three remarkable honorees whose actions exemplify humanitarian service and advance the organization’s mission.

Amongst the night’s inspiring moments at the Gala was when Malik Osman, a senior at Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, received the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. The award is one of the highest distinctions awarded by the Red Cross and recognizes individuals who use lifesaving skills and knowledge in emergencies to save or sustain a life.

Malik was working as a lifeguard at a youth soccer pool party last summer. Having recently completed his Red Cross lifeguard training, Malik was keeping watch over the swimmers when he noticed a young boy struggling in the deep end of the pool.

Most of the children had left the water to play basketball, but two younger kids remained in the pool. When a toy floated into the deep end, one boy followed it without realizing the depth. As he tried to stay afloat, Malik quickly recognized the signs of distress. The child’s arms were spread outward in what is known as the instinctive drowning response.

Without hesitation, Malik entered the water, reached the struggling child and brought him safely to the side of the pool. After lifting him onto the pool deck, Malik immediately assessed the child’s condition and began administering abdominal thrusts and CPR.

While concerned parents gathered nearby, Malik calmly asked them to step back so he could continue the rescue. He directed someone to call 9-1-1 and continued lifesaving care until the boy began coughing and showing signs of regaining consciousness.

When paramedics arrived, they commended Malik for his quick thinking and for following proper emergency protocols. Malik was just 16 years old but his swift and skilled response ultimately saved the child’s life.

“To tell you the truth, there wasn’t a lot of time to think or to be afraid,” said Malik. “When I saw him struggle, my Red Cross training just took over on autopilot. One minute I was scanning the pool, the next I was swimming. It wasn’t until the paramedics arrived and the boy was safe that the reality of what had just occurred hit me.”

Malik’s commitment to humanitarian service extends well beyond the pool. After devastating earthquakes impacted communities in Syria, the third-generation Syrian American was moved by the stories of displaced families. He ran a marathon to raise funds for the Karam Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to education, mentorship, women’s empowerment and child protection for Syrian refugees.

Malik also volunteered at the Turkey-Syria border, helping at Karam House and organizing a youth soccer camp for children in the community.