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12 LOCAL HEROES HONORED AT THE 2006 FRED MEYER BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Event supports local Red Cross services that include relief from residential fires and lifesaving training

PORTLAND, Ore. – Today the American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter recognized 11 individuals and one animal at the 2006 Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. In its ninth year, the Breakfast of Champions honored heroic and compassionate acts that are real life examples of the Red Cross mission.

The event was co-chaired by Gert Boyle, chairwoman of the board of Columbia Sportswear Company, and Bill Williamson, Executive Vice President of Bank of the West. Kerry Tymchuk, state director for U.S. Senator Gordon Smith, was master of ceremonies.

The event raised more than $190,000 to support relief from residential fires and other disasters; lifesaving training such as first aid and CPR; emergency preparedness; and transportation for seniors and the disabled throughout the seven-county area served by the Oregon Trail Chapter .

This year's Breakfast of Champions continued the Oregon Trail Chapter's tradition of celebrating a wide range of heroic acts – from well-known acts of courage to individuals who have not yet been recognized by the community for reaching out to help.

Seven hero stories were chosen from 30 nominations, by a selection committee representing business and organizations in the community. The 2006 Breakfast of Champions heroes included:

WORKPLACE HERO

Diane Savoy

In November of 2004, Diane Savoy was walking through Chicago 's O'Hare Airport when she saw a man on the ground receiving CPR from another. An automated external defibrillator (AED), a device that analyzes the heart's rhythm for any abnormalities and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to the victim, was on the wall right in front of her. Trained to use a defibrillator at her workplace, Davis Wright Tremaine in Portland , Diane grabbed the AED and sprinted to the fallen man. She had someone open the man's shirt, affixed the electrodes to his chest and yelled “clear!” When the machine gave a reading that instructed her to do so, Diane gave the man a shock from the defibrillator. The airport response team soon arrived on the scene. The 51-year old man survived, and it was confirmed that the use of the AED most definitely saved his life.

The story doesn't end there. The man was vice president at Rezidor SAS in Copenhagen , one of the world ' s fastest growing hospitality management companies with hotels throughout Europe , the Middle East and Africa . Because of the rescue, Rezidor made the decision to install AEDs in all of their hotels. Diane's help not only saved his life, but has prompted action that may save lives in 200 locations around the world.

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS

Representative Mark Hass
Teena Johnson
Blair Jones

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart stops suddenly and unexpectedly. SCA can strike anyone, even children. The only cure for SCA is the use of an AED—an automated external defibrillator. SCA recently claimed the lives of two young people, Eddie Barnett, a basketball player from Grant High School , and Graeme Jones, a 12-year old Beaverton boy. If a defibrillator had been present when they fell, the two boys might be with their families today. Eddie's mother, Teena Johnson, and Graeme's father, Blair Jones, fought tirelessly to increase awareness of the need for AEDs in schools and public places with the hope that no other family would have to deal with the loss of a child or loved one. Today, their work is part of state law. Their stories moved Representative Mark Hass to champion a bill that directs the Oregon Department of Education to provide grants to help public schools buy defibrillators for their buildings. Hass dedicated it to the memory of Eddie and Graeme by naming it the Graeme Jones and Eddie Barnett Act. In July 2005, Governor Ted Kulongoski signed House Bill 3482, making it a law. Mark and the families of Eddie and Graeme took part in the bill signing, and the names of their sons will now live in Oregon law forever.

PROFESSIONAL RESCUER

Rich Tyler

On a wet spring afternoon, Portland Fire and Rescue's Rich Tyler was upstairs at Station 1 in downtown Portland when he got an emergency call that a person was in the river. During a rainstorm, Missy Borgaard lost control of her SUV on the slippery steel grating of the Morrison Bridge , crashed through a guardrail, and plunged 60 feet inside her SUV into the chilly Willamette River below. As Rich and the members of Station 1 raced to her aid, Missy struggled free from her car and kicked to the water's surface. Within moments, Rich arrived at the seawall and was lowered to the water where he swam to Missy's side, calling “hang on.” Missy was quickly losing strength when Rich reached her with the rescue board. Amazingly, she survived the ordeal without serious injury. Rich and the other divers at Station 1 are prepared and trained to respond to emergencies in the river. Now they no longer have to swim. Inspired by Rich's rescue of Missy, a generous donor stepped forward with a specialized water rescue craft for Station 1. Docked and ready along the seawall, it's improving response time and keeping the firefighters dry.

YOUTH HEROES

Carrie Dunn and Kohle Kreitzberg

Jesuit High School teacher Michael Wendt believes he is alive today because his students Carrie Dunn and Kohle Kreitzberg acted quickly when he went into sudden cardiac arrest. Just after the morning announcements and prayer last December 8th, Mr. Wendt collapsed before his first period class of English students. The events that followed saved his life. A Jesuit High School board member who was visiting class that day called out to ask if anyone knew CPR, and Carrie, who had Red Cross lifeguard training, rushed to help. While Carrie performed CPR, Khole remembered the defibrillator in the upper hall and sprinted for the life-saving device. Mr. Wendt had no pulse when Kohle returned with the AED machine. One shock got his heart in rhythm again, and the voice prompt from the machine advised CPR until paramedics arrived. Thanks to the bold action of Carrie and Kohle, Michael Wendt recovered and was able to return to his classroom only two months later.

ANIMAL HERO

Arty (with owner Sally Jeffers)

Thursday night is “Arty Night” at Emanuel Children's Hospital. Arty is a very special golden retriever/black lab mix who has been making the rounds for three years on the pediatric wing with his owner Sally Jeffers. Together, through the Dove Lewis Animal Assisted Therapy and Education program, they have inspired countless stories of joy and hope in the lives of many who need it the most: very ill children, their parents, and the hospital staff who care for them. Parents are delighted to see their child smile and relax as Arty lays his head on a lap or even gets right up on a bed with the child. Arty seems to sense who in the room needs him most—often it's the hospitalized child, but sometimes he's drawn to a parent, a sibling, or even the nurse or doctor. Many people over the years have shared how much Arty's non-judgmental friendship and warm touch raised their spirits and brought comfort and a sense of normalcy to the hospital setting.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL

Dr. Dana Braner

OHSU's Dr. Dana Braner is a hero to children near and far. After the December 2004 tsunami devastated communities through South Asia , he rushed to the aid of Indonesian children whose lives were threatened by the lack of health care. Medical director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Doernbecher Children's Hospital, Dr. Braner took a 50-day leave of absence from his job and family to volunteer aboard the U.S.N.S. Mercy. Dr. Braner served on the Mercy as one of 210 medical volunteers from around the world who evaluated and treated more than 49,500 patients and performed more than 97,000 medical procedures. Eight months later, Dr. Braner again raced to help young victims of Hurricane Katrina. He was recruited by Project HOPE to lead a humanitarian aid mission aboard the U.S. Navy hospital ship, the U.S.N.S. Comfort. As medical director of Project HOPE, Dr. Braner oversaw more than 80 medical volunteers from across the United States in addressing the public health issues arising from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. For six weeks, he and his volunteers worked alongside their Navy counterparts to care for hurricane survivors. Today, Dr. Braner's compassion and volunteerism continue for those most in need of health care here at home in Oregon.

BLOOD CHAMPIONS

Judy Dunham and Fred Fritz

Without a doubt, Fred Fritz is a model of consistency and commitment. In his 13 years as a dedicated blood donor for the American Red Cross in Portland , Fred has missed just two appointments and made all of them between January 1992 and January 1998. Overall, he has donated 138 units of blood — a whopping 17 gallons! His loyalty helps ensure hospitals in the Pacific Northwest Region have enough blood products to serve their patients. Fred's blood donations, where a single one can help save more than one life, goes to complete strangers such as accident victims, cancer patients, other ill or injured people and premature babies. Fred, a Portland resident, also is an esteemed “Holiday Hero.” During some of the most difficult collection periods, like Christmas, Memorial Day and Independence Day, he is always there for the Red Cross and its local patients …. giving the gift of life.

Encouraged by her younger sister almost 27 years ago, Judy Dunham tried apheresis donation, a procedure where the American Red Cross collects a specific blood component, usually platelets. Needless to say, she became hooked. At 40 gallons combined of blood and platelets, Judy has donated one of the highest totals for a woman in the Pacific Northwest Region. “Platelets are something I have plenty of and I can share them with someone in need,” said Judy, raised in Philomath and now a Portland resident. “I know if I ever need platelets or blood, I've put in my contribution.” Judy's platelets go to local patients who undergo chemotherapy, bone-marrow transplants and open-heart surgery. These platelets help aid in the clotting process and help prevent or stop bleeding. Her benevolent spirit has extended beyond the Red Cross as she has volunteered both with the SmartReader program and as a quilting instructor at a women's prison.

Click here for the 2006 Breakfast of Champions heroes.

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American Red Cross, Oregon Trail volunteers respond to house fires every 32 hours on average.
To assist the Red Cross in providing disaster relief, please call (503) 528-5634.
To prepare yourself and your family for fire or other disasters, go to www.redcross-pdx.org