By Bruce Jenks, American Red Cross

When Rick Profitt saw a Facebook post about a Battle of the Badges blood drive sponsored by Cabarrus County EMS, his reason for signing up was simple.

“These people are essentially the reason I’m still alive today,” Rick said. “So, if I can do a small part to help give life to someone else who may need it, why not give back when I have the chance?”

When Rick arrived at the EMS building for the blood drive, and the American Red Cross, members of the EMS team recognized him immediately. They knew his story. Their enthusiastic welcome surprised a man who had not come looking for attention.

The Day Everything Changed

On May 24, 2025, Rick suffered a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest. For approximately 10 minutes, two bystanders performed CPR while emergency responders were on the way. One person continued chest compressions for more than six minutes.

Then Cabarrus County EMS arrived.

EMS personnel used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to shock Rick’s heart twice, once at the scene and again while transporting him to the hospital. There, he underwent triple-bypass surgery.

Even now, recalling those moments is emotional.

Rick understands exactly what those critical minutes meant. CPR-certified himself, he still marvels at the dedication of the person who continued performing compressions until EMS arrived.

Will Cannon, Disaster Program Manager for the Southern Piedmont Chapter of the American Red Cross, highlighted the importance of those lifesaving actions by sharing a quote from Dominique-Jean Larrey, chief surgeon of Napoleon’s Grand Army:

“The fate of the wounded rests with the one who applies the first dressing.”

Three Degrees of Separation

Rick’s experience reflects the mission behind Cabarrus County’s Hearts and Heroes program, which reunites cardiac arrest survivors with the bystanders, dispatchers, first responders, and medical teams

who played a role in their survival. The program reinforces that survival is rarely the work of a single person or organization. Instead, it is the result of many people acting together during critical moments.

Rick later attended a Hearts and Heroes event and met some of the people connected to the response that helped save his life. His gratitude extends to the Atrium hospital staff who cared for him as well.

“They took care of me like I never imagined a hospital would,” he said.

Not everyone will find themselves in a situation where someone needs CPR. Learning the skill, however, can prepare people to act if that moment comes. Donating blood offers another meaningful way to help save lives.

For Rick, the connection between receiving help and giving it has come full circle.

“I had a need, and now I can give back,” he said.

Rick does not consider his blood donation extraordinary.

“To me, it was a small thing,” he said, “compared to what it can give someone.”