American Red Cross to honor Aurora water department employees as 2024 Heroes
The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago is honoring Daniel Viayra Chavez of Aurora and Josh Elrod of Sandwich as this year’s Lifesaving Rescue Heroes at the organization’s 22nd annual Heroes Breakfast. The event will be 7:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the Hilton Chicago.
On Sept. 19, 2023, Daniel Viayra Chavez and Josh Elrod, water department employees with the City of Aurora, were doing routine maintenance work on an Aurora neighborhood sewer when they heard cries for ’ayuda’ (help).
Both Viayra Chavez and Elrod ran and found an Aurora resident holding an unresponsive 1-year-old who was not breathing. Viayra Chavez immediately began performing CPR while Elrod phoned 9-1-1 for help, their efforts helped the child to begin to breathe.
“It’s a privilege to honor extraordinary people like Daniel and Josh who ran to answer the call for help and saved someone’s life,” said Celena Roldán Sarillo, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Illinois. “We are excited to recognize the lifesaving actions of Daniel and Josh alongside all the other heroes at this year’s Heroes Breakfast.”
An independent committee of leaders in the business and civic community selected honorees in twelve community service categories. For the complete list of 2024 Heroes, visit redcross.org/heroes.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2024 Illinois Red Cross Heroes Breakfast event, including:
Champion Sponsors: CDW, ITW, Kirkland & Ellis; Inspiring Action Sponsors: Edwardson Family Foundation, Make It Better Foundation; Hero Sponsors: Aon, William Blair, CNA, Fresenius Kabi, KPMG LLP, Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Nicor Gas, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., United Airlines, Wintrust; Interactive Technology Sponsors: Elevance Health, Patrick M. and Jennifer Gallagher, Stepan Company; Media Sponsors: CBS 2 Chicago, Make It Better Foundation
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org.