Maribel Paulino Received an Award for Saving Lives
Her volunteer work is based on her passion for helping people and her desire for self-improvement.Maribel Paulino Marinez has been a volunteer for the Red Cross for 14 years. Last September, she received the Certificate of Merit Lifesaving Award by the humanitarian network. It is worth mentioning that it is the first award to an Alaskan woman and one of 2,000 issued since the award was launched in 1911.
She was nominated for this recognition by witnesses who saw the first aid she performed on a woman who suffered a medical emergency, which occurred while Paulino was at a Red Cross conference in Virginia, last June. “It was the longest 10 minutes of my life. I had no equipment, I checked the pulse and kept the person’s airway open while we waited for the ambulance, which was delayed by a tornado in the area,” she said. Later, the victim’s daughter told Paulino that her mother celebrated her 50th birthday. “It was a miracle from God. I was happy to know that she was okay.” Maribel was born in the Dominican Republic. Since her youth, she joined the ideals of the Dominican Red Cross while studying in high school. Her husband enlisted in the United States Army, and since then she has lived experiences, alongside the noble humanitarian network, in various countries. In Japan, she was an instructor of several courses, such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), for the Red Cross, teaching in Spanish and English to the military community. She has lived in Anchorage with her husband and two children for two years. “People sometimes only see the snow in Alaska, but this state offers many opportunities for my children.” Paulino has been the National Spokesperson for the Alaska Red Cross since last April. Her volunteer work is based on her passion for helping people and her desire for self-improvement. She has a degree in Business Administration and Marketing, a Pharmacy Technician and Emergency Medical Technician. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “With my knowledge, I have been able to help many people regardless of race,” she said. For more information on volunteering and training, visit redcross.org/takeaclass |