The American Red Cross of Greater Kansas presented a national Lifesaving Award to a corrections worker in recognition of his quick action to save a life.

On Jan. 19, Officer Alexander Mater was working in food service at Ellsworth Correctional Facility during the evening meal line. Around 4:45 p.m., a resident approached Mater showing obvious signs of choking. He was struggling to breathe.

Mater quickly administered abdominal thrusts and dislodged the food in the man's throat. Mater had been working at the facility only about six months at that point. The coworker who nominated Mater said he sprang into action as though he’d been at the facility for years and had handled a medical emergency before.

“He was able to act quickly and without any hesitation or panic. His actions prevented a larger incident, and nursing staff was able to quickly assess him and make sure he was OK,” said nominator Wendy Leiker.

Red Cross Community Disaster Program Manager Kyle Lewis presented the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action to Mater on July 28 at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility.

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

The American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards date back to 1911. Since the Lifesaving Awards revival in 2018, the Red Cross has awarded over 3,700 individuals worldwide, who have helped to save nearly 2,000 lives.

You can recognize an individual or a team of individuals who have saved or sustained a life by visiting LifesavingAwards.org.