2011 Red Cross Heroes

The Hawaii Red Cross salutes this year�s outstanding volunteers from neighborhoods across our state. These citizens stand ready to help others in need throughout the islands. Please join us in recognizing the selfless contributions of these local heroes. With extraordinary commitment and heartfelt compassion, they are exceptional examples of the strength and aloha that reside within our island communities. For stories about the extraordinary, selfless acts of our Heroes, tune in to Sunrise 10/10 � 10/14. Read about our amazing 2011 Heroes.

On April 27, 2011, Carl Loando and his team of surveyors were on their way to a job when they noticed a house on fire. Carl approached the house and called out to see if anyone was inside. Through the smoke and flames, he saw an elderly man in the carport who explained that his disabled wife was in the hall. Without hesitation, Carl crawled 20 feet through the billowing smoke, located the woman and dragged her to the door and down the wheelchair ramp. The woman�s oxygen tank stopped Carl from going further so he yelled for help. Others took the woman outside while Carl caught his breath. Carl noticed the woman and others were below the power lines from the burning home and yelled for them to move away. Minutes later, the lines broke and landed in the area where they had just been. Carl was taken to the hospital and treated for smoke inhalation. He risked his own life to save the life of another.
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Msgt. Chandra Davis is the Superintendent of Information Management Technology of the Medical Support Division, Office of the Command Surgeon, Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. She single-handedly implemented the first-ever Command Surgeon Command and Control Center in response to the disaster in Japan. This enhanced the ability of Air Force, Army and Navy medical personnel to collaborate and communicate to provide humanitarian relief for 25,000 people. Chandra also volunteers with 12 organizations on base and around the community that benefit military members, their families, youth and others. Organizations include Habitat for Humanity, USO, Safe Haven, Actively Integrating Nutrition and Agriculture in Schools, African American Diversity Cultural Center of Hawaii, Pacific Air Museum, Military Youth Action Council and Tuskegee Airmen.
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Wesley Pratt is a firefighter with the Honolulu Fire Department stationed at Unit 1519. On June 3, 2011, several HFD units responded to a building fire in Haleiwa and got the fire under control. After the fire, Wesley and another firefighter were in the building moving paint cans and fuel containers when they saw a bolt of electricity in the area. A fellow firefighter was electrocuted and fell unconscious to the ground. Wesley immediately notified the other responders and pulled the electrocuted firefighter out of the building to safety. During the rescue, Wesley received multiple electrical shocks. Once outside, others rushed to assist the downed firefighter and medical treatment was given.

Mahalo, Wesley, for your heroic action in risking your life to save your fellow fire fighter in the line of duty.
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Six-year-old Althea Cunningham woke at 7:00am one morning last November to popping noises in her family�s Honolulu home. She looked out the front window and could feel heat coming from the upstairs apartment unit. As soon as she saw flames coming from upstairs, she quickly alerted her mother.

Althea�s quick action allowed her mother, sister, and herself to escape unharmed. They then woke up their neighbors to ensure the safety of all. Althea saved the lives of her family and neighbors. All eight people who lived in that apartment complex consider this young girl a hero.
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In October 2010, Mai Tai, who is part Corgi, Shiba Inu and Chihuahua, became a certified American Red Cross Human Animal Bond therapy dog. She provides therapy to patients at the Tripler Army Medical Center two to three times a week, along with her handler, Mary Conklin. Mai Tai has a calming effect on children and adults and knows how to put them at ease. She has an interest in children and is able to settle down cranky children. She is also drawn to people in wheelchairs and walkers. In less than two years, Mai Tai has volunteered over 500 hours at Tripler, bringing joy and comfort to the patients and staff there. Mai Tai also serves as a service dog to Mary. She is involved in the Army�s �Read to the Dogs� program at Aliamanu Military Reservation Library, and serves as a Turtle Guardian, helping greet tourists who come to see the turtles at Lanikai Beach.
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Diane and Rick Phillips have been Red Cross volunteers for over two decades. Most of their weekends are spent at community events providing immediate and temporary care at Red Cross First Aid Stations. As leaders of the Red Cross First Aid Station Team, Diane and Rick help recruit, interview and train volunteers, set guidelines and standards, and help schedule volunteers for over 200 events each year. First Aid Stations are provided free of charge as part of the Red Cross mission of saving lives.

Since 1987, Diane and Rick have volunteered a combined total of 30,000 hours to the Red Cross. They are trained in CPR, first aid, bloodborne pathogens, and sports injury prevention. In addition to bandaging wounds, icing sprains, and assisting with other immediate medical problems, they once treated an alligator bite victim at a fair.
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John Yates, III, Store Manager of Walmart in Kona, has served on the Red Cross West Hawaii Advisory Council since 2009. His community involvement and caring are among the reasons why he is a valued volunteer leader. During times of disaster, such as flooding, Walmart consistently donates items such as cleaning supplies and water to affected families. As the Walmart representative in West Hawaii, John ensures that communities are assisted during those trying times. His advice and assistance with the annual Red Cross Hats Off fundraiser have ensured its success and helped increase revenue. His positive attitude and enthusiasm are conveyed to his Walmart employees who volunteer their efforts to assist in raising funds to help others. John has allowed the Red Cross to advertise and sell Red Cross products in the Kona Walmart as he recognizes the value of the products and the Red Cross mission of helping people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
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A disaster volunteer since 2005, Joyce Memmer has taken on many responsibilities to assist victims of disasters both locally and nationally. She is currently a Disaster Action Team Captain in Hilo and leads Red Cross responses to disasters, such as house fires. She and her team assess the situation and provide assistance to meet the immediate emergency needs of those affected. As the overall Shelter Lead for Hawaii County, she helps identify shelter managers and workers, along with potential sites to serve as new shelters during times of disasters. Joyce is also a disaster training instructor and teaches CPR and first aid to disaster volunteers. She was deployed on national disaster response assignments to Alabama, Texas and American Samoa, bringing back her experience and knowledge to Hawaii so that when a major disaster occurs here, the Hawaii Red Cross will be better prepared to respond.
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Tom Worthington has been a disaster volunteer on Maui since 2006. He responds to local disasters, operates the hotline, opens shelters, teaches disaster training and does much more. Red Cross response depends on technology to manage the response effort and help get services for those affected. The Red Cross recognizes Tom�s skills and expertise in technology and requests his help. Tom has played a significant role in disaster response efforts locally and nationally in Oklahoma, Texas, California, Arkansas, Louisiana and American Samoa. Tom and his team are the first people there in the morning to ensure networks are running and the last to leave at night; they ensure communication is up so that people can be assisted. Tom is currently assisting the International Federation of the Red Cross in Bangladesh, replacing radios and antennas and training Bangladesh Red Cross staff in the installation and use of new radios.
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Since 2008, Elaine Albertson has been a dedicated Kauai Red Cross volunteer, holding several key positions in Disaster Services. She is the Red Cross liaison who reports to the Kauai County Emergency Operations Center during times of major disasters. She relays vital communication to the Red Cross and other community agencies. She often uses her skills as a ham radio operator to ensure proper communication is delivered. Elaine is also Kauai�s primary Disaster Hotline dispatcher, on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. She responds to or deploys Red Cross volunteers during disasters. Elaine is a disaster instructor and also represents the Red Cross at community disaster presentations where critical information is shared with the public on being ready before disasters strike. She is committed to keeping local communities prepared for disasters.
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