BOCA RATON, FLA. (May 13, 2022) – This week, the Broward County Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized Dr. Jason Witonsky with a Lifesaving Award for using lifesaving skills to save a life.
Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, or even at your own home or office. But regardless of when and where they occur, emergency situations usually have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, watching someone in distress—wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do.
On November 13, 2021, sometime in the early evening, Dr. Witonsky was walking through his condo’s parking lot and saw a neighbor in his car, unresponsive. Without hesitation, Dr. Witonsky sprang into action by calling 911 and removing the individual from the car. He performed CPR on the victim until Boca Raton police and Fire Rescue arrived. Luckily, the victim regained a pulse and was transported to the local hospital. The victim received five cardiac stents and a heart valve while in the hospital and made a full recovery, all thanks to the quick action of Dr. Witonsky who used his lifesaving training to make sure the victim lived.
For his incredible act of service and quick actions, Dr. Jason Witonsky has been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is awarded to individuals, who step up in an emergency and help save or sustain a life using lifesaving skills.
Jason was awarded the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action during an in-person and virtual ceremony attended by Red Cross staff and board members.
“We are thrilled to take a moment and honor Dr. Jason Witonsky, a local hero for his lifesaving actions,” said Paula Prendergast, executive director of the Broward County Chapter. “To act quickly and decisively takes the highest level of courage and the Red Cross thanks him for his outstanding response.”
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 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/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.