On May 25, 2019, Paige McClancy, trained in American Red Cross Adult First Aid/CPR/AED, helped to save the life of a woman who lost consciousness after having a heat stroke while at a cookout in Powell, Tennessee. For this heroic and lifesaving action, McClancy will receive the Red Cross Certificate of Merit in a ceremony on Oct. 15 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Certificate of Merit is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

On that hot summer day, the woman had entered the restroom at the cookout and fell unconscious. McClancy was alerted to the situation by another attendee of the cookout. She assessed the situation and determined the woman was experiencing heatstroke. She alerted a bystander to contact 9-1-1 and then promptly applied ice packs to bring down the woman’s core body temperature. Emergency Medical Services arrived and continued to provide care.

“We’re extremely proud to present a Certificate of Merit to Paige McClancy,” said Sharon Hudson, East Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross executive director. “Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Training Services course helped to save the life of this woman. Paige’s actions exemplify our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

The award will be given during a brief ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 15 at Architectural Graphics, Inc. at 412 N. Cedar Bluff Road, Suite 306 in Knoxville. 

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, in-person skill sessions and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass. 

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, visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.