The American Red Cross in Greater New York last week recognized Simone Kelly, a member of the South Orange Rescue Squad, with the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award, for her administering NARCAN to an unconscious person during the New York Knicks championship parade in June.
During the historic celebration, Kelly jumped into action when she saw a man lying unresponsive on the roof of a subway station entrance, and, recognizing that he was showing signs of an overdose, she climbed onto the roof and administered NARCAN that someone in crowd handed to her.
RELATED: CHS Grad, South Orange Rescue Squad EMT Simone Kelly Saves Life at Knicks Celebration
“Her actions remind us that emergencies can happen anywhere at anytime and that one person with the courage to act can change the outcome for someone in need,” Doreen Thomann-Howe, regional CEO of the American Red Cross in Greater New York, said at the Sept. 2 ceremony when presenting Kelly with the Lifesaving Award Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action, which honors people who take decisive action in an emergency to save a life, and it recognizes “ordinary individuals who do something extraordinary when faced with a critical situation.”
Doreen Thomann-Howe (right), Regional CEO for the American Red Cross in Greater New York bestows a lifesaving award pin on the lapel of Simone Kelly, who is being honored for her lifesaving actions to resuscitate an unconscious person at the Knicks championship parade. (Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross in Greater New York)
“Simone, your selfless action reelects the highest ideals of public service and human compassion,” Thomann-Howe told Kelly. “You saw a stranger in distress and you didn’t hesitate to help.”
“In a crowded and chaotic environment, Simone remained calm, focused and determined,” Thomann-Howe said at the ceremony, a video of which was posted to the American Red Cross in New York’s social media channels. “Her knowledge, preparedness and willingness to act made a critical difference in a life-threatening situation.”
At the ceremony, just as she has in numerous television appearances and at events locally, Kelly advocated for people to get trained in basic lifesaving skills and to carry naloxone (NARCAN) with them so they can help if they come across someone who has overdosed.
“This day was so special because it was broadcasted and everyone saw it. It really went pretty viral, but in reality emergencies and situations like this are happening every day,” Kelly said at the ceremony. “Right now, overdose is the leading cause of death for adults 18 to 44 and that’s a number I’m not comfortable with, and that’s why I get trained. I hope that makes you uncomfortable too.”
“Because it is a preventable death and if someone is stuck in the cycle of substance abuse, we can do something immediately,” she said. “So I encourage everyone to get trained in some basic life support skills, some CPR and carry naloxone. It’s free and really does make a difference.”
Simone Kelly receives her lifesaving award from the American Red Cross for her actions to resuscitate an unconscious person at the Knicks championship parade. (Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross in Greater New York)
Simone Kelly (center) is surrounded by her family and friends who came to celebrate the Red Cross lifesaving award given to her after her heroic actions at the Knicks championship parade. (Photo courtesy of the American Red Cross in Greater New York)
