The American Red Cross Northern New England Region

On a highway, a hero emerged to save another's life

Emergencies can happen at any time, anywhere: in the supermarket parking lot, at a family wedding, on a hot day at the community pool or even at the office or inside your very own home. What they often have in common is a group of people wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do. That is, until a hero emerges.

On April 28, Matthew Hunt was that hero. 

This week, the American Red Cross honored Hunt, a Portsmouth Naval Shipyard police office, for saving the life of an accident victim with his CPR skills.

In a virtual ceremony, Hunt received the Red Cross Lifesaving Award – the highest award the Red Cross gives to individuals or groups of individuals who sustain or save a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

Take Mary Ojala's advice: Share your gifts with others!

By Mary Brant

Mary Ojala is a familiar face at the Gift-of-Life Marathon blood drive in Rutland, Vermont. Before she retired in 2013, Mary proudly held the title of longest-serving Red Cross volunteer in the Northern New England Region. A woman of strong faith, she loves to share stories from World War II when she first fell in love with volunteer work because everyone pitched in to do their part!