If you witnessed someone collapse, would you know what to do? Luckily for one man at a New Jersey diner last November, Suzette Belz was there and she knew exactly what to do.

Suzette is the Regional Philanthropy Senior Partner for Corporate Partnerships with the American Red Cross New Jersey Region. She knows the importance of being trained in lifesaving skills. In fact, every two years, Suzette is trained and certified in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Last year, Suzette was having lunch at a local diner when she witnessed an older gentleman collapse onto the floor. Remembering her Red Cross training, she jumped into action.

She called out to the man but he was unresponsive. Suzette noticed that his eyes had rolled back into his head. She quickly instructed another patron to call 911 and upon asking the diner owner if they had an AED, she learned that they did not.

The man was not breathing, and Suzette immediately began chest compressions. After some time, the man regained consciousness and was confused as to what happened. Suzette and others in the diner remained with the man while they waited for emergency services. She learned that the man’s name was John and that day happened to be his 75^th birthday!

Emergency services arrived shortly after and took over John’s care, eventually taking him to the hospital.

Honoring One of Our Own

This week, Suzette’s colleagues surprised her by honoring her for her willingness to help John. Jack McMaster, former president of American Red Cross Training Services presented Suzette with the American Red Cross Certificate a Merit, one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using lifesaving skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

“In my experience with the American Red Cross, I’ve learned that heroes are all around us. These are brave men and women willing to step forward and help a stranger during their greatest time of need,” said McMaster. “But I’ve also learned that these individuals are not common – because to act quickly and decisively during a crisis takes a level of courage reserved only for a chosen few. Suzette is one of those chosen few.”

Suzette credited her Red Cross training for the actions she took that day, saying_,

^{_{“You never know when you might have to help someone. For me, I was at the right place at the right time, and I felt confident to act because of my Red Cross training.”}}

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Another Life Saved -- Lodi Teachers Save Choking Student

Last May, Lodi teachers Jacki Herzog and Joseph Zisa were patrolling the lunchroom at Washington Elementary School when a kindergarten student began to choke on food. After racing to the boy, Jacki administered back blows, while calling out for help. Joseph jumped in to perform abdominal thrusts, which dislodged the food from the young student's throat.

Principal Kevin Dowson nominated the teachers for American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards. Earlier this week, in front of 400 cheering school children and staff, American Red Cross Executive Director Andy Stone presented Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action awards to Jacki and Joseph and the entire assembly applauded their actions.

Jacki expressed the same sentiment as Suzette, “I was just so happy to be in the right place at the right time.”

Get Trained – Act with Confidence

If you or someone you know would like to be trained in lifesaving skills, learn more at redcross.org/Take-A-Class.

National Lifesaving Awards

After 115 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.