By Stephanie Dunn Ashley
As February rushes to its end and we recognize National Heart Month, I’m reminded how fortunate we are to live in a community where people show up for one another. For me, that spirit of readiness and service has shaped not only my work with the American Red Cross, but also my volunteer roles with the Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol and as an EMT with Greenwich EMS. Time and again, I’ve seen how quickly emergencies can unfold and how vital it is for each of us to know what to do when seconds matter.
My own journey began years ago when I first learned CPR in college. I remember walking into that class, not fully realizing the sense of empowerment that hasn’t left me since. Over the years, I’ve kept those skills sharp — I am still certified to teach CPR and even picked up my pet CPR certification (a wonderful course offered by the Red Cross) a couple years ago. It feels great to know that I am ready to help my four-legged family members, especially as the two-legged ones I raised are off living their increasingly independent adult lives.
Thankfully, I’ve never had to use CPR in a real-life emergency. But I know people who have needed it, and I know people who have been ready when the need arose. Their stories underscore just how life-changing early intervention can be. It reminds me that the line between an ordinary day and an extraordinary one can be incredibly thin.
National Heart Month offers the perfect moment for all of us to pause and ask ourselves a simple but essential question: Would I know what to do if someone needed my help?
CPR is one of the most powerful skills any of us can learn. Just as important is knowing how to safely use an AED — the small device often found in our schools, parks, community centers, and even local businesses throughout Greenwich. AEDs guide users step-by-step, and with proper training, anyone can operate one confidently in a crisis.
I am super proud of the Red Cross Metro New York North Chapter Board of Directors who are committed to completing their CPR and AED certification. We are already at 62 percent of our members trained so far, so they can all be ready to act when moments matter.
As a certified CPR/AED (and First Aid) instructor, I love seeing how quickly confidence blooms in those classes. Participants often arrive unsure whether they’ll “get it right,” but they leave standing a little taller, knowing they now hold the power to save a life. If you’re ready to build that same confidence, visit www.redcross. org/takeaclass to find a class near you.
Here in Greenwich, we pride ourselves on being a community that looks out for one another. We see it during storms, during house fires, during moments that test us — and we see it in the countless small acts of kindness that fill our days. Learning CPR is another way to strengthen that chain of care.
Let’s make this month a moment of preparation, empowerment, and community connection. Let’s commit to learning the skills that help keep Greenwich safe and strong.
Stephanie has worked and volunteered in the nonprofit sector in Greenwich for over twenty years. Her current role as CEO of the MNYN chapter of the American Red Cross began in March 2020. Stephanie overseas Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York, the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, and Greenwich, Connecticut for all lines of service of the Red Cross.
