By Airik Myers, Northwest Region

When Justin Wong stepped in to save a man’s life in 2025, it was a powerful reminder of how everyday people can make a lifesaving difference. The American Red Cross Northwest Region recently recognized Justin for his courage, presenting him with the Red Cross Certificate of Merit, one of the organization’s highest honors.

Behind Justin’s actions stands another story, that of Randy Norberg, the Red Cross training instructor who taught Justin the skills he relied on that night.

On January 18, 2025, Justin was celebrating a friend’s birthday at a Seattle nightclub when a woman approached his group asking for help. Outside, he found a 21-year-old man lying on the street, severely injured and rapidly losing blood.

Relying on skills he learned in a Red Cross first aid class taught by Norberg, Justin immediately stepped in. He created his own tourniquet, controlled the bleeding, called 9-1-1, reassured the victim, and stayed with him until help arrived.

His courage that night exemplifies service, compassion, and the very best of what we hope to see in our community. “Thank you for your bravery, your leadership, and your willingness to help when it mattered most,” said Megan Dulgar, Regional CEO for the Northwest Region.

For Norberg, Justin’s actions represent a ripple effect created by hundreds of students he has trained over the years. What stood out most to him was hearing from Justin after the incident. Justin reached out to thank Randy for the Red Cross training that allowed him to step in with confidence. “It lightened the load a tiny bit when Justin reached out,” Norberg said.

Randy has spent countless hours teaching lifesaving skills along Seattle’s 3rd Avenue, an area where emergencies are common and bystanders often become first responders. “Many of my students have saved many lives,” he said. Over time, Randy estimates that hundreds of his students, between 400 and 500, have helped save lives using skills learned in his classes.

“I wish they could all be honored,” he said. “But those statistics aren’t counted.”

That “load” is something Randy carries from a moment he’ll never forget. Two days before he was scheduled to receive advanced instruction in Life-Threatening Bleeding

(LTB), Randy was the first person on scene when Eina Quan was shot multiple times, just a few feet away from him.

“I wish I could have gone into that being as prepared with LTB,” he said. “Chances are it may not have made a difference, but maybe it would have for her unborn baby.”

It’s why he believes LTB training is essential and too often missing from standard course.

For Randy, seeing Justin use his Red Cross training to save a life brought a measure of healing, and pride. It showed him that the skills he teaches are not only being learned but used when it matters most.

“It really means a lot to have seen this through,” he said.