Media Contacts:

American Red Cross: Bethany Bray Patterson, 703-744-0343, media.NCGC@redcross.org

The Y in Central Maryland:  Elizabeth Morgan, 443-763-9377, elizabethmorgan@ymaryland.org

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Red Cross honors The Y in Central Maryland associate who used CPR to save a member's life

Parkville, MD, Nov. 9, 2026 – Last February, a man was working out in the fitness room of The Y in Parkville – as he does every week – when he lost consciousness and sank to the floor.

What happened next changed the course of a life-or-death situation.

An associate of The Y in Central Maryland, Giustino Puliti, sprang into action, utilizing the skills that he had learned just weeks prior in a Red Cross training class to perform CPR and rescue breathing while colleagues called 911.

Thanks to his training, Giustino knew to stay calm and act quickly. He and several colleagues did chest compressions until first responders arrived. The Y member was hospitalized but survived – thanks to Puliti and his colleagues' lifesaving skills – and has made a full recovery.

On Monday, November 9, the American Red Cross will recognize Giustino with a Lifesaving Award for the critical action he took on that February day.

Giustino will be joined by colleagues at the Y in Parkville, as well as Terry Frank, the member who collapsed. The award presentation will also mark the first time Giustino and Terry have met since the incident.

“CPR saves lives, and Giustino's quick thinking and selfless actions show how being trained to step in and help makes a lifesaving difference when every moment counts,” said Lenora Henry, executive director of the Red Cross of Central Maryland. “We are proud to recognize him, and we hope this story inspires others to get trained.”

“At the Y, building and strengthening community is at the heart of everything we do,” said John Hoey, president and CEO of the Y in Central Maryland. “Giustino and his fellow associates demonstrated what it truly means to care for one another in our community. We are incredibly proud of their quick actions and grateful that Terry is here with us today. We thank the American Red Cross for recognizing this remarkable moment.”

First established in 1911, the American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program provides recognition to individuals or teams, with or without Red Cross training, who use first aid, CPR and other skills to save or sustain a life. Find out more at LifesavingAwards.org

What: Red Cross Lifesaving Award presentation to The Y associate, Giustino Puliti

When: Monday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.

Where: The Y in Parkville, 8910 Waltham Woods Rd. Parkville, MD 21234

Who: Leadership from The Red Cross of Central Maryland and The Y in Central Maryland; lifesaving award recipient Giustino Puliti and colleagues; and Y member Terry Frank, who survived after Puliti performed CPR

·         Elizabeth Morgan, The Y in Central Maryland Senior Vice President, Marketing

·         Lenora Henry, Red Cross of Central Maryland Executive Director

Why: Every second counts during an emergency, and knowing CPR can make a lifesaving difference. Each year, more than 300,000 people die of sudden cardiac arrest in the U.S. It usually occurs in adults — although it can happen to anyone without warning. Red Cross training can give you the skills and confidence to act in an emergency – as it did for Giustino. Learn what to do by signing up for a CPR course at redcross.org.

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.

About the Y in Central Maryland:

The Y is a charitable organization in Central Maryland dedicated to developing the full potential of every individual through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.  At the Y, we are committed to providing family-oriented, affordable, high-quality programs that focus on building healthy and connected communities through Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.

The Y is a place for everyone.  People from all walks of life are embraced and financial assistance is provided to actively engage the entirety of the community.

Visit ymaryland.org for more details.

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