Contact: Martin Gagliano
Telephone: (669) 209-5266
nccrpublicaffairs@redcross.org
Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action presented for heroic efforts
SANTA CRUZ, CA - November 10, 2023 — Local cardiologist Dr. Steven Lome saved the lives of two runners who each suffered cardiac arrests during the Monterey Bay Half Marathon in November 2022. For his heroic and lifesaving actions, he received the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action in a ceremony at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula on November 10, 2023.
Dr. Lome was running the Monterey Bay Half Marathon with two of his children, both cross country runners at Carmel schools, when he saw a man collapse about 30 feet in front of him at mile three. He stopped to help the runner, Greg Gonzalez, 67, a superior court judge from Vancouver, Wash., who was unconscious, not breathing and did not have a pulse. Dr. Lome immediately began CPR while two other medical providers nearby - including a neurosurgeon - stopped to help. Their collective efforts sustained Gonzales’s life until an ambulance arrived.
After this initial incident, Dr. Lome decided to continue the race, hoping to still catch up with his two children. Before crossing the finish line, he noticed that another runner, Michael Heilemann, 56, from Marin County, Calif., was down, and people were screaming for help. Dr. Lome began CPR on Heilemann while volunteer medical providers brought an AED from the nearby Community Hospital medical tent. They all worked together to keep Heilemann alive, and a few minutes later, he regained consciousness.
Dr. Lome visited Gonzalez and Heilemann the next day at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and both were recovering well. The two patients and Dr. Lome are returning to run the Monterey Bay Half Marathon together on November 12, one year after the two cardiac arrests occurred on the course.
“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life,” said Michele Averill, CEO for the Red Cross Central Coast Chapter. “Dr. Lome’s actions demonstrated a high level of professionalism and dedication. He reminds us that there are people with the vocation of saving lives. We are proud of having him as a Central Coast resident and we wish him, Greg Gonzales and Michel Heilemann the best of luck in future marathons.”
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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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter/X at @RedCross.
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