Diana Davis: Red Cross Hero

June 1-7 is designated as National CPR and AED Awareness Week. The American Red Cross, along with other National Cardiac Arrest Collaborative members, is stressing that every second counts in cardiac arrest and people can save lives by knowing how to perform CPR and use an AED.

Written by Rose Ellen O'Connor, Volunteer

It was a quiet evening last November when the panicked call came for help. Diana Davis’s 30-something neighbor was having a heart attack and his father-in-law wanted to know if anyone new CPR. Diana reacted on instinct.

She ran across the street and found her neighbor, Bobby Clark, on the floor, his face purple and his eyes rolled back in his head. She pulled up his shirt and put two fingers to his throat looking for a heartbeat. There was none. Then she put her ear to his mouth and listened for breathing. Again, nothing. Finally, she checked his chest and found no movement. She began administering compressions to his chest, just as she learned in CPR class.

He began taking shallow breaths that gradually moved closer together. When the paramedics arrived, they administered shocks to his heart and his normal color returned to his face. They told Diana she had saved her neighbor’s life. Her mother went with Bobby’s wife Jaime to the hospital and the doctors issued the same verdict: if Diana had not administered CPR, Bobby would have died.

“I wasn’t really thinking anything. I just wanted to help,” Diana says.


Knowing that she had saved a life was mind-blowing.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” she says. “He changed my life and I definitely changed his. I feel like I have more purpose. I wanted to be a doctor before but now I know I’m going down the right path.”

Diana, 18, who lives in Gaithersburg and is graduating from Northwest High School, received the Certificate of Merit from the Red Cross at a graduation awards ceremony in May. The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region will also be honoring her at its Annual Meeting on June 6.

Diana Davis with American Red Cross,
National Capital Region CEO, Linda Mathes.

She learned CPR in a life guard class sponsored by the Red Cross. Diana was following in her two older brother’s footsteps, both of whom are lifeguards. She took CPR class again in a first aid class her sophomore year of high school, and was recertified before last summer’s lifeguard season began.

Diana plans to start a Red Cross club at Montgomery College, which she will be attending in the fall.

To see Diana receive the highest Red Cross award, the Certificate of Merit (signed by the President of the United States), click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM3rjHbwbqs 

You Can Make a Difference. Give Blood

by Emily Goff

It is National Blood Donor Month, and I am thrilled to report that my high school recently embraced the challenge to give the vital gift of blood. Lacking a Red Cross-specific club, Herndon High School had its Key Club student organization promote and organize a blood drive, and the effort was ultimately quite successful! Dozens of students made the decision to give blood to help support those in need. I asked several of the donors to share what sparks their passion to be a blood donor, and the responses I received were touching.

  

“I donate blood every chance I get because I feel it’s important to help others in any way possible, especially with something as important as blood supply. It feels rewarding to help such a great cause and each time I donate that feeling of rewarding never ceases. Knowing that when I donate my blood I am saving three lives is incomparably fulfilling” - Melissa

“I choose to donate blood because I have always wanted to help others, and I felt like this was one way to do so. I feel really good donating! I feel like I have accomplished my goal of helping others who are in need of blood. I would love to do it again; it was a great experience.” - Divya

“I wanted to donate blood because every day someone with cancer or other diseases dies because there is no blood available to them. I felt like even if I was afraid of needles, just by donating 500mL I can hopefully save someone’s life or at least help someone. Also, after donating blood, it feels like I’ve achieved something. I feel really good now that I made the decision to donate blood. I feel like I’m giving back and truly making a difference, and I will gladly do it again whenever I have the opportunity.” - Sujata

These high school students had a gratifying blood donating experience, and the best part is that you can have one too! Everyone’s experience with donating is unique, with many different reasons why people give blood, but the end goal is ultimately the same: supporting fellow humans amid medical struggles. Learn more about how you can help patients receive lifesaving treatments  via blood donation.

All eligible donors are urged to schedule an appointment to give today by using the Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).