To kick off Red Cross Month, the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized Cassie Maselter and Jenni Perez De Leon from Golisano Children’s Hospital, and Kristi Barlow from Gulf Coast Medical Center with Lifesaving Awards for using lifesaving skills to save a life.

Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, or even at your own home or office. But regardless of when and where they occur, emergency situations usually have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, watching someone in distress–wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do.

On Feb. 25, 2022, Cassie Maselter, Jenni Perez De Leon, registered nurses for the PICU at Golisano Children’s Hospital, and Kristi Barlow, Emergency Services Supervisor at Gulf Coast Medical Center, enjoyed some time off at a local amusement park. During their time at the happiest place on Earth, something unexpected happened…they came across a man going into cardiac arrest and helped save his life.

As Cassie, Kristi & Jenni were exiting the park, they got rerouted and missed the ferryboat. Seconds later they heard, ‘lower the drop deck!’ and saw a flash of movement. Without thinking, Kristi took off running, with Cassie and Jenni right behind her. They found a male laying on the ground with two other healthcare workers by his side. He appeared to be in a postictal state and was going into cardiac arrest. Very shortly after the patient lost consciousness and Kristi and Jenni jumped right into CPR with one of three other women checking for pulses. The AED then arrived, and they were able to revive a pulse in the patient.

Due to the quick actions of Barlow, Kasper, and Perez DeLeon, they were able to save a life.

For their incredible act of service Kristin Barlow, Cassie Kasper (Maselter), and Jennifer Perez DeLeon have been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. This award is bestowed upon individuals who step up during a time of emergency to alleviate suffering and save or sustain a life.

All three recipients were awarded the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action during an awards ceremony held at Lee Health-Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

“It was an honor to recognize these ladies for their incredible contribution to saving a life. Because of their quick action and training they have forever changed not just one life but an entire family. Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, at your own home; and even at the most magical place on earth. We hope their story will inspire others and highlight the importance of learning lifesaving skills.”

Take a First Aid and CPR Course online to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed.

A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are also available. To learn more and get started, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.

Nominate Someone

If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.

Source: American Red Cross