The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross will host the 2024 Power of Red: A Celebration of Heroes on June 19, 2024, at the Heinz History Center.
Power of Red is an annual gathering which honors community members who exemplify the values of the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross. Through the generosity of donors, Power of Red raises critical funds for the programs and services of the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter.
This year, the Red Cross will honor local heroes in the following categories:
- Community Impact Hero: Sloane Davidson, of Pittsburgh. Davidson is the founder and CEO of Hello Neighbor, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of recently resettled refugee families by matching them with dedicated neighbors to guide and support them in their new lives.
- Good Samaritan Hero: Daniel Simone, of New Kensington. Simone was driving to work through East Deer when he noticed a home fire. He got out of his car, kicked in the door of the burning building and helped a man escape. Simone then helped another man evacuate a neighboring home.
- Law Enforcement Hero: Sgt. Colleen Bristow, of Pittsburgh. Sgt. Bristow is credited with supporting and developing the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police’s co-response model, where social workers can be dispatched to assist in behavioral and mental health crises.
- Medical Hero: Jacquelyn Stange, of Murrysville. Stange, a registered nurse at UPMC Presbyterian, was driving in Plum when she came upon a young man who suffered a cardiac arrest while running. He collapsed in the road with no pulse and was not breathing. Stange performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The young man made a full recovery.
- Medical Heroes: Lyssa Checchio, of Pittsburgh; Jill Hare, of New Castle; Bindu Palathunkal, of Gibsonia; Renee Renner, of West Mifflin; Kristen Wickline, of Wexford. A group of nurses from UPMC Passavant sprang into action when they spotted smoke coming fro a nearby vehicle. They removed a child from inside the vehicle and called 911, moments before the vehicle engulfed in flames.
The Red Cross will also present a National Lifesaving Award to Robert Seitz, of Allison Park, who is a retired flight nurse and member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. Seitz was in Aspinwall when an 81-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest. Seitz performed CPR until EMS arrived, and the man survived.
Additionally, the Red Cross will honor Wesco with the Distinguished Leadership Award in recognition of their contributions to the Red Cross mission.
“We’re excited to recognize these local heroes who have made positive impacts on our community,” said Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region and executive director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. “These heroes have shown incredible courage, dedication and selflessness to others and we’re humbled to share their stories.”
The 2024 Power of Red is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from our title sponsor, Wesco, and other partners: Deloitte LLP, PNC, Columbia Gas, Duquesne University, Eaton Corporation, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross serves Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Lawrence and Washington counties, and also functions as the headquarters of the 61-county Greater Pennsylvania Region.
The public is invited to the Power of Red to eat, drink and be charitable by purchasing a ticket at redcross.org/powerofred. Media is invited to cover the event and interview heroes and Red Cross representatives.
- WHO: American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter
- WHAT: Power of Red: A Celebration of Heroes
- WHEN: Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 6 – 9:30 p.m.
- WHERE: Heinz History Center (1212 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222)
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.