Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store parking lot, at a family wedding, on a hot day at the community pool or even at your very own home.

Madison Engel learned this firsthand last April, when her dad collapsed in their driveway in Dix Hills on the way to his cardiologist.

Chloe, Madison’s older sister, shared that their dad felt his heart racing after exercising and his cardiologist told him to go get checked out. While he was getting in the car, he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. Madison, who was working from home that day, happened to walk past the front door and see him collapse. That is when she sprang into action.

First, Madison called 911. Then she remembered the CPR training she received in high school and began performing CPR on her dad – for a whole 7 minutes until help arrived at their home.

Madison’s dad was rushed to the hospital and placed in a medically induced coma. The next morning, the doctors and nurses told the family it was a MIRACLE that saved his life -- Madison’s quick actions.

In her nomination for Madison’s American Red Cross Lifesaving Award, Chloe shared, “Our last name Engel means angel in German. We know that Madison was his guardian angel that day and was led to the door that day to save him.”

Madison’s mom and dad joined their daughters on stage during the American Red Cross on Long Island Summer Volunteer Appreciation Event in August 2022 to help celebrate Madison as she received the American Red Cross Lifesaving Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.

Anthony Acampora, Red Cross on Long Island Board Co-Chair and Jose Dominguez, CEO of the American Red Cross on Long Island presented the award to Madison. Anthony said, “I am so honored to present you with this Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. Madison, you are a hero, and we are so glad you and your family could be here tonight.”

The American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program began in 1911 to recognize those who, in an emergency, use their lifesaving skills to save or sustain a life. The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is awarded to individuals who step up in an emergency and help save or sustain a life using lifesaving skills that may or not be taught by the American Red Cross Training Services.

To learn more and nominate a hero, please visit: www.lifesavingawards.org

To sign up for a lifesaving skills class, please visit: www.redcross.org/classes