ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. (April 20, 2026) – The American Red Cross of Orange County is honoring local residents for their outstanding acts of heroism. These extraordinary heroes will be celebrated at the 2026 Orange County Heroes Awards and Luncheon, held on Friday, May 1 at The Richard Nixon Presidential Library from noon – 1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m.

2026 Orange County Heroes Awards Honorees

Click here to view and download hero photos.
 

Animal Welfare Hero: OCFA Technical Rescue Crew (Irvine, Calif.)

On February 18, 2025, the OCFA Technical Rescue Crew assisted with a challenging nighttime rescue of Deuce, a horse who was stuck in a ravine in San Juan Capistrano after falling down an embankment. After hours of complex and careful coordination and specialized rigging, OCFA technical rescue crew members rescued Deuce by hoisting him to safety with their helicopter. Later that night, as Deuce was waking up at the Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano, the crews again rigged a complicated hoist system which successfully got the horse to his feet once more. Today, Deuce has fully recovered – thanks in great part due to the heroism and skill of the OCFA Technical Rescue Crew.
 

Good Samaritan Hero: Felicia Johnson (Costa Mesa, Calif.)

Felicia Johnson acted with remarkable courage when she rescued an elderly man whose car began floating in fast-rising floodwaters, leaving him trapped during a torrential storm in Costa Mesa. The man unknowingly drove into a flooded area around 3 a.m. After hearing his call for help outside her apartment and contacting 911, Felicia waded into waist-deep water to reach the Vietnam veteran, risking her own safety to pull him from his flooded car. Her quick actions and selfless bravery ultimately helped save his life.
 

Disaster Responder Hero: Otoniel Gomez (Sana Ana, Calif.)

At 1:00 a.m., while everyone was sleeping, a fire erupted at Otoniel Gomez’s house. His wife woke up to smoke and alerted Otoniel, who found the hallway engulfed in flames. Otoniel escaped through a second story window. Once outside, he located his work ladders and placed a ladder for his wife, then a second ladder for his adult son, and a third ladder to save his 11-year-old son. Otoniel climbed the ladder, broke the window with a shovel, and carried his son down. Otoniel then used that ladder to rescue an elderly tenant. She could not figure out how to climb down the ladder, so Otoniel went up and carried her down. By the time the fire department arrived, all five people were safe outside, thanks to Otoniel’s quick, calm and heroic actions.
 

Gift of Life Hero: Matthew Murphy II (Laguna Hills, Calif.)

Matthew Murphy II has spent more than 35 years donating platelets every two weeks, reaching an extraordinary 1,900 units — making him the top platelet donor in Southern California and among the top 1% of platelet donors nationally. Matthew’s donation journey began in his early twenties, when he first gave blood as a college student. His path took a pivotal turn in 1991, when he learned about platelet donation and discovered its unique ability to help more patients, more frequently. Because platelets expire in just five days, his consistent dedication has supported thousands of patients. Humble and steadfast, Matthew is already working toward his next milestone of 2,000 units, which he expects to achieve in just over a year and a half.
 

Service to the Armed Forces Hero: Randy Moraitis, CarePossible (Laguna Niguel, Calif.)

Dr. Randy Moraitis founded CarePossible in 2013 after seeing how financial barriers prevented many people in crisis from accessing mental health and addiction care. Guided by a strong commitment to veterans and military families, he created CarePossible to ensure high-quality treatment is available regardless of ability to pay. Under his leadership, CarePossible has delivered more than $6 million in mental health and addiction services to veterans and their families and now serves over 500 individuals—primarily in Orange County—through counseling, therapy, recovery coaching, and family support. Together, Dr. Moraitis and CarePossible have expanded access to care, reduced stigma and supported countless individuals facing trauma, addiction and mental illness.

Youth Heroes: John Whitlock and Lincoln Happoldt (Seal Beach, Calif.)

John Whitlock and Lincoln Happoldt, Seal Beach Junior Lifeguards, acted quickly when they saw their instructor, Isaiah, floating face down in the water during free time. Initially thinking it was a drill, they rushed to Isaiah and realized he was unable to move as he continued to float face down. They turned Isaiah over and brought him to shore, then ran for help after Isaiah told them it was a neck trauma. John and Lincoln’s fast, calm response prevented Isaiah from drowning. Isaiah is now in rehabilitation, making significant progress. John and Lincoln’s actions undoubtedly helped save Isaiah’s life.
 

First Responder Hero: Marcus Futch (Fullerton, Calif.)

On May 21, 2025, Officer Marcus Futch responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle that had collided with a parked car. The driver, unconscious from a medical emergency, was trapped in a burning vehicle rapidly filling with smoke. Recognizing the immediate danger, Officer Futch rushed to the passenger side, entered the smoke-filled car and pulled the driver out. With help from a civilian, Officer Futch moved the driver to safety and provided medical aid until paramedics arrived. Officer Futch’s actions involved extraordinary personal risk and were decisive in preventing serious injury or death.
 

Corporate Hero: Sungrow North America (Costa Mesa, Calif.)

Sungrow North America has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to strengthening communities and advancing the mission of the American Red Cross. Beginning with urgent support during Hurricane Helene and continuing through the California Wildfires and Texas floods, Sungrow consistently provided timely relief for families in crisis. Their commitment deepened when they became a Ready 365 partner, investing in year-round preparedness. Beyond financial support, Sungrow also hosts blood drives at their Texas office, giving their workforce a meaningful way to contribute to lifesaving efforts. Sungrow embodies what it means to be a Corporate Hero: responsive in times of crisis, committed in times of calm and always guided by a genuine desire to uplift communities.

Orange County Heroes Awards event tickets and sponsorships are available now. This year's event donations will benefit the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes that don't have them, and by educating people about home fire safety. Match Sponsors A Little Help Foundation and The Caring Path Foundation Fund will match all event donations up to $30,000.

The Orange County Heroes Awards is made possible thanks to the generosity of Humanitarian Sponsor Antis Roofing & Waterproofing; Regional Sponsor U.S. Bank; Mission Sponsors Nationwide and SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union; Community Sponsors Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Councilmember Mike Carroll, Lance Britt and Ryan McKinney, Susan and Al DeGrassi, Kia America, Pacific Life Foundation, the Rowsell Family, David and Carolyn Todd, UCI Health and the Warne Family Charitable Foundation, and other local sponsors.

Nominations for the annual Orange County Heroes Awards are accepted year-round. For more information please visit redcross.org/OCHeroes.

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/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with the Southern California Region on X, Instagram, YouTube or Facebook.