D-O-G to A-E-D, Oregon Red Cross Honors Heroes
  

Whether you're eating lunch in the cafeteria, out grocery shopping or simply sitting in class, you never know when disaster might strike.

Three Oregon heroes – Mike Borreggine, Michelle Erdman and Brent Leong – knew just what to do in case of emergency. They jumped into action, using their skills and smarts to save lives. And while Missy the Dachshund had no formal training, her barking definitely made the difference when her owner collapsed.

On Tuesday, March 15 at 7:30 a.m., eight local heroes and one organization will be honored at the American Red Cross' signature event – the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. The ceremony will take place at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Blvd., and all funds raised go to support disaster relief, CPR/first aid training and other services throughout the Oregon Trail Chapter's 16-county service area. For more information, visit www.oregonredcross.org/champions.

2011 Heroes

NOTE: High resolution photos are available for download at www.oregonredcross.org/2011heroes.

Brent Leong, CPR Hero
Sponsored by Horizon Restoration

Brent Leong was teaching high school robotics when student Brandon Holicky suddenly fell to the ground. Brent acted fast: When he could find no sign of a pulse or breath, he began to perform CPR with the help of security officer Bobby Bates. Once paramedics arrived, they used a defibrillator on Brandon and put him in an induced coma to prevent brain damage. At the hospital, Brandon was given a pacemaker; doctors are still trying to understand why he collapsed. Brandon and his family remain exceedingly grateful to Brent for saving his life, and are urging the school to install more AEDs. “I don’t believe in coincidences,” says Brandon’s mom Karin. “He was there to save my son’s life.”

Missy, Pet Hero
Sponsored by Wells Fargo, Oregon & SW Washington Region

An 11-year-old dachshund, Missy is a tiny dog with enormous persistence. Last September, she showed up at Charles Mitchell’s house, barking furiously and refusing to leave until he followed her across the street to where Missy’s owner, Charlie Burdon, a heart attack survivor, had collapsed in his bedroom after suffering dizziness and nausea. Burdon had managed to reach his wife at work, who called 911, but by the time she and the paramedics arrived, Missy and Mitchell were at his side. Burdon, who was later diagnosed with vertigo, rewards Missy with her usual treats, walks, car rides and trips to Home Depot. The two men, who have known each other for years, both agree that sometimes the biggest hearts come in the smallest packages.

Lisa Lyver, Professional Rescue Hero
Sponsored by Frontier Communications

High school football can be sacred to some, but thanks to Lisa Lyver, one game became miraculous. In the final seconds of the last quarter, Hayward Dennison scored a winning touchdown — and then collapsed. Lisa, a nurse for 17 years, made it onto the field and checked his pulse and breathing. Finding no response, she began CPR. Moments later, Hayward’s heart started beating right under her hands, and he began breathing just as the paramedics arrived. Said Lisa, “As a nurse you don’t get recognized publicly for the work you do every day. Something like this happening shows that one person can make an enormous difference.”

Michelle Erdman, AED Hero
Sponsored by Fred Meyer

The parking lot of a Fred Meyer isn’t a place that typically sees much action—generally it’s just customers passing through on their way into or out of the store. But when Michelle Erdman, a Fred Meyer employee, learned that a man had suddenly collapsed and was unconscious, the store’s parking lot immediately became a hotbed of activity. Having recently completed CPR and AED training, Michelle grabbed the store’s AED and ran outside. She immediately began performing compressions, asked a colleague to set up the AED, and delivered a shock that brought the man’s pulse back. Together, they continued care until medical response personnel arrived. Michelle’s quick action won her the Fire Chief’s Certification of Merit—and the man’s gratitude for saving his life.

Mike Borreggine, First Aid Hero
Sponsored by Oregon Health & Science University

In 14 years as a volunteer firefighter, Mike Borreggine never had to help someone who was choking, but in his first year as head custodian at Quatama Elementary School, he did it twice. When fourth grader Alberto Felix got a piece of pancake stuck in his windpipe, Mike calmly performed abdominal thrusts. And when second-grader Shawn Jett couldn’t swallow a chicken nugget, Mike asked Shawn to nod if he was choking and, when he did, Mike jumped into action again. With accolades from the school board and a drawer full of thank-you notes, Mike remains unflappable, although inspired. Said Borreggine, "It makes you realize the difference that you do make."

Ryan Van Vactor, Annette Sansburn & Bella Pointer, Fire Heroes
Sponsored by Portland General Electric

Ryan, Annette and Bella were skateboarding when they spotted big black clouds of smoke pouring from a nearby home. Annette called 911, then rushed into the house with Ryan while Bella stood watch and waited for firefighters. Inside, they found a very disoriented 65-year old Diana McIntosh. Recovering from a broken pelvis, Diana needs a walker to get around; she had Ryan grab her frightened cat, while Annette grabbed the walker and Diana’s terrified dog. They got everyone across the street to safety just as a window exploded. Diana commends the teens for their remarkable heroism: “I was like a deer in the headlights. But these kids just jumped right in, got me out of there and stayed with me. I am so impressed — and so thankful."

Kaiser Permanente African American Professional Association (KPAAPA), Blood Hero
Sponsored by The Standard

Blood donations are always welcome—especially during shortages. And when the Kaiser Permanente African American Professional Association (KPAAPA) realized that the blood supply lacked blood types possessed by African-Americans, they decided to act: They sponsored a Blood Drive named after Charles Drew, the “father of blood banking.” Drew was medical supervisor of a pilot program to improve the methods of collecting and shipping blood and sending it into the battlefields during WWII. The outgrowth of his project was the American Red Cross Blood Donor Services. The blood drive, now going into its third year, involves the support of African-American sororities, fraternities, professional groups, artists and local businesses.

Mari Meza. Disaster Hero