Lara Donohoe says her 2-½-year old daughter Bailey might not be alive today if it wasn’t for the CPR and first aid training she received from the American Red Cross Grant Wood Area Chapter.
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Donohoe received the American Red Cross Grant Wood Area Chapter “Exceptional Personal Action Award” in an October ceremony at City Carton Recycling, Iowa City. Jerry Rose, a Grant Wood Area Chapter board member, presented Donohoe with the award for saving her daughter’s life only days after participating in Red Cross adult CPR and first aid training at City Carton Recycling, where she works.
City Carton Recycling also received an “Exceptional Community Partner Award” from the American Red Cross, for its commitment to community and workforce safety. City Carton Recycling has participated in the Red Cross workplace training program since 1999.
Donohoe received training in adult CPR and first aid on Aug. 3, 2005. On Aug. 8, Donohoe was driving her two children to daycare when she heard Bailey making unusual noises in the back seat. Bailey had turned blue and was seizing. Donohoe immediately stopped her car, got her daughter to a safe place on the ground and put her Red Cross training into action.
After calling 9-1-1, Donohoe felt for Bailey’s pulse. Finding that Bailey had a pulse but was not breathing, and at the advice of the 9-1-1 dispatcher, Donohoe began giving her daughter rescue breaths. After administering two rescue breaths, her daughter revived.
Donohoe says her training gave her the confidence and knowledge she needed to care for her daughter and ultimately to save her life.
“I imagine many probably sit through those classes thinking to themselves they will never have to use this information or hope they never do,” Donohoe says. “But I am speaking first hand. It does work and it does save lives.”
American Red Cross Grant Wood Area Chapter has offices in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.