2008 “Heroes Among Us” Award Recipients
Arenac County Good Samaritan Hero Award:
Michael Bowers is a young man from the Prescott area who has a developmental disability and lives with his mom and dad. Michael first learned CPR at summer camp and now likes to help his dad who teaches CPR. When a co-worker suffered a severe asthma attack and stopped breathing, Michael administered CPR and resuscitated him. First responders credited Michael with saving his co-worker's life.
Bay County Good Samaritan Hero Award:
Jeanette Esterhai is the school secretary at St John School in Essexville. While helping at a funeral luncheon at the school, she witnessed an elderly gentleman collapse in the hallway. She came to his aid, determined that he was choking, and administered the Heimlich Maneuver. She was successful in dislodging a piece of food from his airway. First responders gave Jeanette credit for saving the man's life.
Huron County Good Samaritan Hero Award:
The Huron County Hero Saves Lives Through Blood Donations. He is Bob Winkel of Harbor Beach has been donating blood since he was a teenager. When he started, his parents had to give their permission. He continued to donate blood through his years of military service, and for all the years since then. To date, Bob has donated 19 gallons of blood. Since every unit of blood saves up to three lives, Bob has saved the lives of up to 456 people in his lifetime of giving. We honor Bob and so many others who give this precious gift of life.
Tuscola County Good Samaritan Hero Award:
Maegan Rauch Schneeberger is a young woman in Tuscola County who was trained in Infant CPR and First Aid. When a neighbor's three-week-old baby stopped breathing, the baby's mother rushed to get Maegan. Maegan administered infant CPR while the mother called 911. Before first responders arrived, the baby was breathing on her own. Maegan is credited with saving the baby's life and was award the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit in 2007.
Emergency Responder Hero Award:
Bay County Sheriff's Deputy Anthony Peter. While a police officer with the Pinconning Police Department, Deputy Peter went into a burning mobile home to rescue the resident before the fire department arrived. He held his breath while crawling through the trailer looking for the resident and then pulled the unconscious man to safety. He was credited with saving the life of the resident.
Youth Hero Award:
Kelsey Lipinski is a 9th grader who donated bone marrow stem cells to save her mother, who suffered from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, after other forms of treatment had been tried and failed to improve her condition. Kellsey's mother may not have survived without this gift from her daughter.
Workplace Hero Award:
Amy Dore is an employee of Bay Regional Medical Center. A fellow employee suffered for many years in silence from kidney disease and badly needed a kidney transplant. When Amy heard about the need, she came forward and donated a kidney. They were not related, not even friends. Amy made this ultimate gift because she felt it was the right thing to do.
Community Organization Hero Award:
Wings of Mercy is a non-profit organization that flies seriously ill patients to hospitals around the country for treatment at no charge. Pilots are volunteers and other costs are covered by donations. Wings recently celebrated its 1000th flight. Long-time volunteer pilot and Bay City resident Robert Munley will accept the award on behalf of Wings of Mercy.
Community Individual Hero Award:
Ben & Jan Zurvalec lost a young son several years ago to sudden cardiac arrest. He might have been saved if an AED had been available at his school. Since their son's tragic death, they have worked tirelessly to bring attention to the need for AEDs in all public places in Bay County. They partnered with many organizations, including the Red Cross, the Klida Foundation, and Bay Medical Foundation to encourage the placement of AEDs and the training of staff. As a result of their efforts, AEDs are now available in all Bay County schools and many churches, parks, athletic fields, and businesses. The Zurvalecs recently lost a second son in the same manner. Our hearts go out to the Zurvalecs for their loss but also in gratitude for the lives that may be saved because of their work.
Corporate Hero Award:
TI Automotive is our corporate hero for 2008. This Tuscola county company implemented a program to reduce cardio-vascular disease and improve the health and fitness of their employees, producing significant improvement in a number of key indicators. They are also placing AEDs and training employees in all of their facilities nationwide.