Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders presented to local teen for using her training skills to save a life

Portland, OR, Jan. 14, 2020 — Wilson High School senior, Rivkah Zigman didn’t hesitate to call on her American Red Cross training in First Aid/CPR/AED to save the life of a 60-year-old woman while volunteering last summer in Tel Aviv, Israel. For this heroic and lifesaving action, Zigman will receive the Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders in a ceremony tonight at the Cascades Region Board Meeting.

The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals or group of individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.

*Media is invited to attend this presentation at 5 p.m. tonight at the Red Cross Cascades Region headquarters at 3131 N. Vancouver Ave. Portland, OR 97227. Please arrive by 4:45 p.m.

“We’re extremely proud to present a Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders to Rivkah," Dale Kunce, CEO of the Red Cross Cascades Region said. “Her actions exemplify our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.”

In July of 2019, Zigman traveled to Tel Aviv, Israel to volunteer with United Hatzalah, a volunteer-based emergency medical services organization in Israel. While on duty with United Hatzalah responders, they were dispatched to a 60-year-old female unresponsive patient. Zigman applied the automated external defibrillator (AED) and participated in the CPR efforts for nearly 30 minutes. Working with the EMT teams, they were able to get a pulse and transported the woman to the hospital, where she ultimately survived.  

Zigman completed the Adult and Child First Aid / CPR / AED training course with the Red Cross Cascades Region at Wilson High School on December 15, 2017.

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate, recognize, or be inspired.

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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCasc.

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