Tag: Lifesaving Award

When Every Second Counts: A Mother’s Instinct and Medical Training Save a Life 

It was the kind of day people in the Midwest wait for all year. Sun overhead, the lake calm, and kids laughing, playing in the water. Jessica Simones was at Gull Lake in Minnesota with her daughter, Jocelyn, and a group of family and friends, soaking in the beauty of summer. 

Jessica Simones and daughter Jocelyn share a moment before Snow Ball 2024.

In a moment, everything changed. 

Jocelyn was pulled from the water by a friend—unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. Cell phone service at the lake was spotty, adding to the urgency and chaos. 

Without waiting for help that might not come in time, Jessica dropped to her knees on the dock. 

Years of medical experience kicked in—but so did something deeper. She began CPR, working to bring her daughter back. She eventually revived Jocelyn and continued to monitor her breathing and care as they transported her to the nearest hospital, keeping her safe, warm, and alive. 

Jessica had participated in code blue events many times in her previous work at Children’s Hospital. But this time, it was profoundly different.  

“Nothing prepares you for doing it on your own child,” she said quietly. “I’ll never get that image out of my head.” Thankfully, Jocelyn has since made a full recovery and is eagerly anticipating her high school graduation. She is also excitedly planning for a future career in medicine at the College of Saint Scholastica in the fall. 

Honoring extraordinary personal action  
 
At a recent ceremony held at the Allina Medical Center in Faribault, Minnesota, the American Red Cross honored Jessica with one of its highest awards: the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. 

Coworkers pin the official American Red Cross Lifesaving Award pin on Jessica during her recognition ceremony at Allina Clinic, Faribault, Minnesota, April 2025.

“It’s a recognition reserved for those who, in a moment of crisis, step up during an emergency to save or sustain a life,” said Melanie Tschida, Executive Director for the American Red Cross serving Southern Minnesota. “Whether or not they were trained by the Red Cross, their actions reflect our humanitarian mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering.” 

“Jessica, this award honors your courage—not just as a nurse, but as a mother,” said Carrie Carlson-Guest, regional communications director. “Your quick thinking and selfless actions made all the difference.” 

Why training matters 

At the hospital, healthcare workers later shared that just a one-minute delay could have led to a much different outcome for Jocelyn.  

Allina teammates celebrated Jessica Simones and her incredible actions at the recognition ceremony held at Allina Clinic, Faribault, Minnesota, April 2025.

Those first moments on the dock—the ones Jessica made count—are why CPR training matters. 

The American Red Cross encourages everyone to train for the moments that matter. Visit RedCross.org/MNDAKS to learn more and sign up for a course today. 

A Lifesaving Moment Thousands of Miles from Home

More than 4,500 miles from home in Munich, Germany, Deputy Kelly Olson, a school resource officer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, found herself in a moment that demanded action. She was off duty, chaperoning a high school group, when she noticed a woman at a nearby table struggling to breathe. The telltale signs of choking were unmistakable.

Washington County Deputy Kelly Olson
(Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriffs Office) 

Olson acted instantly. Relying on years of training, she stepped forward, calmly positioning herself behind the woman and performing the abdominal thrusts she had practiced so many times before. Within moments, the obstruction cleared, and the woman took a breath—her life saved by the decisive actions of someone who had dedicated her career to helping others.

Pictured is Deputy Kelly Olson (right) and a woman whose life she saved (left) while in Germany. (Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office) 

“I became a law enforcement officer to serve and help others, and on this occasion, I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to save a life. I’m grateful for the training I received, which enabled me to respond when someone’s life was at risk.” – Deputy Kelly Olson

Recognizing Courage and Preparedness
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, recently recognized Olson’s quick thinking and bravery with the prestigious Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action—a national American Red Cross award given to individuals who use lifesaving skills to save or sustain a life.

“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals, like Deputy Olson, who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life,” said Brice Johnson, Regional CEO for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region.

Pictured L to R: Tom Meyer, Red Cross lifetime board member; Deputy Kelly Olson; Brice Johnson, Red Cross Regional CEO for the Minnesota and Dakotas Region, and Sheriff Dan Starry, Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Olson’s story is a testament to the importance of lifesaving training, a reminder that emergencies don’t wait for the right time or place—they happen anywhere, and those who are ready can make all the difference.

A Moment of Gratitude and Celebration
The award ceremony was more than just an event—it was a celebration of a community built on service and readiness. Olson’s father, a retired Minneapolis Police Lieutenant who served for 30 years, proudly nominated her for this award and stood by as his daughter was recognized for her heroic actions. The moment was made even more meaningful as Olson recently welcomed a child of her own, adding a new layer of significance to her dedication to protecting .

“I’m so proud of her,” said her father who pinned Kelly’s badge on her nearly 10 years ago.”

Deputy Kelly Olson with her parents, husband and daughter following a Washington County Sheriff’s Office Recognition Ceremony on January 30, 2025.

Get Involved
Emergencies don’t wait. They happen in restaurants, on sidewalks, in workplaces, and at home. Being prepared with the right skills can mean the difference between life and death. The Red Cross offers a variety of lifesaving courses, including CPR, AED, and first aid training, ensuring that more people are ready to respond when the unexpected happens.

Get Trained: Sign up for a lifesaving course today at redcross.org/takeaclass.

Nominate a Hero: Know someone who has used their training to save a life? Nominate them for a Red Cross Lifesaving Award at LifesavingAwards.org.

✨ HERO SPOTLIGHT! ✨ Amber Lawrence Honored with Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Heroic Rescue

On January 7, 2025, we were thrilled to honor Amber Lawrence with the prestigious Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders, one of the highest accolades from the American Red Cross. This award recognizes individuals who save or sustain lives using skills gained through Red Cross Training Services.

Brice Johnson, Regional CEO of the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, proudly presents Amber Lawrence with the Lifesaving Award, recognizing her heroic actions in saving a life through her Red Cross training. Photo: America Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

On August 8, 2024, at the Andover YMCA, Amber’s Red Cross training in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First Aid was put to the ultimate test. While on duty, Amber witnessed a stroller with an infant strapped inside accidentally roll into the deep end of the lap pool. Without hesitation, Amber dove into action, jumping into the water and lifting the stroller just high enough for the baby’s head to break the surface. The infant cried out, and with the help of bystanders, both the child and stroller were safely pulled from the water.

Brice Johnson, regional CEO for the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, praised Amber’s heroic actions, stating, “We are immensely proud to present the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders to Amber. Her actions embody our commitment to enabling people to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.”

Amber Lawrence, honored with the Red Cross Lifesaving Award, stands by the pool where her quick thinking and Red Cross training saved an infant’s life. Her heroic actions exemplify the power of preparedness and courage in emergency situations.

Amber, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin River Falls studying Psychology, has been passionate about swimming since she was three years old. She earned her lifeguard certification in 2021 and now works as a lifeguard at the YMCA in Hudson, Wisconsin, balancing her duties with her academic commitments.

YMCA of the North’s aquatics team congratulate Amber Lawrence on her prestigious award. Photo: American/Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

Reflecting on the event, Amber shared, “It was scary. I am grateful for my Red Cross training, which gave me the confidence to handle the situation. My heart was relieved, and I was happy as soon as the child was safe.”

Amber Lawrence, receiving a big congratulatory hug from her grandfather at the Lifesaving Award presentation on January 7, 2025. Photo: American Red Cross/Sue Thesenga

Let’s all take a moment to recognize Amber for this heroic accomplishment! 👏

Inspired by Amber’s story? Empower yourself with lifesaving skills by enrolling in a Red Cross training course today! Find a class near you: Red Cross Training ▶️

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them for a Lifesaving Award and help us honor their courage. Learn more about the awards: Red Cross Lifesaving Awards ▶️

Red Cross honors local man who helped save the life of a cyclist during a cardiac emergency

We have the great pleasure of announcing that Hunter Conrad, from southeast Minnesota, has received an American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. This award is the highest award the Red Cross gives to an individual who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course. The certificate bears the signature of the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross.

Photo: (L to R) Kevin O’Brien, the instructor who certified Hunter, Hunter Conrad, the honoree, and Melanie Tschida, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Southeast Minnesota.

Hunter demonstrated heroic efforts on October 4, 2022, when he helped save the life of a cyclist who suffered a cardiac emergency in Dundas, Minnesota. On that day, he was driving down a rural back road when he came upon a group of cyclists who waved for him to stop. One of the cyclists had suddenly lost consciousness and fallen off his bike. Hunter sprang into action, assisting the cyclist in distress. With another member of the group, they alternated administering CPR until EMS arrived and took over. The cyclist was then airlifted to a hospital and later recovered.

Hunter was a true hero because he was trained to respond. More than 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest every year – but sadly only 11% survive. Are you prepared for the moments that matter? Find the right class for you at redcross.org/mndaks.