By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND — In 1993, Alabama's hit song reminded everyone there are "Angels Among Us." On the evening of Oct. 8, an accidental hero was among the shoppers at the Great Bend Walmart. Twenty-nine-year-old Eric Keller just happened to be at the back of the store when a 23-month-old toddler suffered a life-threatening seizure. Keller sprang into action, using CPR to save the little girl's life. Thursday evening, he was recognized by the American Red Cross with a Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action.
"Emergencies can happen at any time," said Red Cross Executive Director Jane Blocher, who drove from Lawrence to present the award. "In a Walmart, in a parking lot, at a wedding, on a hot day at the swimming pool, and even inside your own home. But regardless of where they happen, emergency situations have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, staring at someone in distress and wondering who should do something and then trying to remember what to do. That is until a hero emerges from the crowd."
Keller originally told his story in an effort to share the importance of learning CPR and using it in an emergency. Over the past month, Keller has applied to assist on more Red Cross missions.
"It's really opened some doors," he said. "I actually applied for the Volunteer Connection for Red Cross and started that. I think Fort Myers (Fla.) is where I'd like to go and put in some work there, but close to home or anywhere that needs it. That's the direction I'd like to take."
For Thursday's ceremony, Keller was reunited with Nova Gomez, who is now two years old, and her mother, Lacy Rodriguez, who has since completed her own CPR certification classes. The Barton County 911 dispatcher who handled the original call also attended to meet all the parties involved.
Blocher took special note of the location of the ceremony, given the history of the Red Cross. "To give an award like this in the county that was named after our beloved founder, Clara Barton, is especially meaningful," she said. "She was a nurse that tended to the wounds of soldiers on the battlefield of the Civil War, giving first aid and other assistance. I think she's shining down on Eric."
The American Red Cross began giving out Life Saving Awards in 1911. The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action was created more than 70 years ago, and is awarded to individuals who step up in times of emergency. Since 2018, more than 2,030 awards have been handed out worldwide. Actions behind those awards have saved 1,032 lives. Blocher was pleased to add one more to that number Thursday night.
"We have so many heroes that walk among us every day that we don't know about," she said. "Hopefully, his actions will inspire others to take the lifesaving training. As I've said before, you don't really know when you can ever put that training into action, but knowing you're armed with those critical skills that can help save a life, it's so important."