American Red Cross New Jersey Region CEO Rosie Taravella, together with Northern New Jersey Chapter Executive Director Sara Huisking, presented Alex Purdue of Ridgewood with the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. Friends and family members were on hand as Alex was honored during a meeting of the Red Cross Northern New Jersey Board of Directors held on December 4th at the Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, New Jersey.
On June 21, Alex Purdue as working in the cheese department at Whole Foods Market in Ridgewood. It was just an ordinary day, that is, until a fellow employee collapsed on the floor and the woman began to turn purple. Alex saw the commotion and rushed over to help. One of the customers, who also happened to be a nurse, instructed Alex to begin CPR while she called 9-1-1.
Alex began CPR and after approximately 30 seconds, the female employee began to regain consciousness. The EMTs arrived soon, and the woman was then taken to the hospital by ambulance. The woman has since fully recovered but unfortunately, was not able to join the award ceremony.
For his actions, Alex Purdue was awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. This award is given to individuals who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life. These individuals exemplify the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. They are to be commended for their willingness to help others in distress.
The Red Cross congratulates Alex Purdue and commends him for taking action to help save a life.
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.
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