American Red Cross New Jersey Region Executive Director Matthew Teter and CEO Rosie Taravella present the Certificate of Merit to Charlotte Cifelli with mom Chrissy and younger brother Angelo on hand for the ceremony in Fairfield, New Jersey.
On October 28, 2020, 11-year-old Charlotte Cifelli and her 4-year-old brother Angelo were enjoying hot dogs for dinner when their mom stepped out of the room. Angelo began choking on his food. Charlotte recognized Angelo was in distress as he leaned over the garbage pail and clutched at his throat.
Charlotte acted quickly. She began administering back blows. At first, Angelo did not respond. Charlotte cried out “He’s choking!” and continued giving back blows. After several back blows, Angelo’s airway was cleared.
Charlotte recognized the signs of distress because one month earlier, she had completed the Red Cross Babysitting Basics course. During the course, she learned many new skills, including how to help someone who is choking.
Charlotte’s mother heard the commotion and ran into the room to see Charlotte administering back blows on Angelo as a piece of food flew out of her young son’s mouth.
“I know the whole thing took seconds, but it felt like forever,” said Chrissy Cifelli, Charlotte’s mom. “I’m am so proud of Charlotte and so grateful to the Red Cross for teaching her what to do in this situation.”
In addition to her younger siblings, Charlotte also has several young cousins she hopes to babysit for someday.
"Without a doubt, the skills Charlotte learned in the American Red Cross Training Services course the previous month helped her save the life of her younger brother, said Rosie Taravella, CEO, American Red Cross New Jersey Region. "This action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress."
On May 24, 2021, the American Red Cross presented Charlotte Cifelli with the Certificate of Merit. This is the highest award given by the American Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course. The certificate bears the signature of the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, and the signature of the chairman of the American Red Cross.
After 110 years, the American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program, originally conceived as one award in 1911, has since evolved into three: The Certificate of Merit, The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, and The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.
The first was awarded 1911 in recognition of first aid work rendered by railway men who helped save a life. From 1911, thousands of awards have been issued to individuals who have saved or have sustained a life, many as a direct result of American Red Cross Training Services programs.
If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, you can visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.