FORT MYERS, Fla. (July 15, 2021) – On Wednesday, June 30, the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized Jason Fellberg, Judy Kennedy, and Mark Schulze with Lifesaving Awards for using lifesaving skills to save two lives.
Jason Fellberg was the Disaster Health Services EMT volunteer deployed to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Operation for Hurricane Sally. On Saturday, September 19, 2020, a gentleman arrived at the Red Cross distribution site seeking supplies for his family. The man asked Jason to assess him as he was not feeling well and was without medication for numerous days due to the destruction caused by the storm. Upon a physical assessment, Jason identified a life-threatening condition. He pointed to another Red Cross Health Services volunteer to call 911, which that person did. Due to the person's medical history, vital signs, symptoms, and Jason's assessment, he felt an ambulance was needed immediately. Because of Jason’s swift decision-making, he saved this client from suffering a life-threatening event.
On Monday, November 2, 2020, Judy Kennedy was out walking with her friend. During their walk around the neighborhood, her friend said she was tired and sat down on a bench to wait for Judy to come back by. When Judy returned, her friend stood up to finish the walk but lost consciousness and fell to the ground. Judy quickly responded and tried to wake her up. She motioned to another couple walking by to call 911 and come to assist. Judy then began to perform CPR. She then asked Mark Schulze to take over chest compressions, while she ran to get her friend’s husband. The ambulance soon arrived to take over. Due to the quick actions of Judy and Mark, together they were able to save a life and their friend was able to attend the virtual Lifesaving Award ceremony.
For their heroic actions, Jason, Judy, and Mark have been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. This award is bestowed upon individuals who step up during a time of emergency to alleviate suffering and save or sustain a life.
All three recipients were awarded the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action during a virtual ceremony attended by family, friends, Red Cross staff, and board members.
“Jason, Judy, and Mark are extraordinary heroes that embody the spirit of the Red Cross. Their actions demonstrate the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress,“ said Jill Palmer, executive director Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter. “They are now among a very special group of people worldwide who have received this honor and we commend them for their willingness to help.”
Take a First Aid and CPR Course online to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed.
A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are also available. To learn more and get started, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
Nominate Someone
If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.
About the American Red Cross:
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/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.