AUBURN HILLS, MI - The WNBA Detroit Shock and American Red Cross - Southeastern Michigan Chapter will honor Danielle Graessle with The Detroit Shock and American Red Cross "My Personal Heroes"; Award on August 24 on The Palace court at halftime of the Shock game vs. Connecticut at 7:30 p.m. A representative of the American Red Cross - Southeastern Michigan Chapter, will present the award to Graessle for her quick and effective actions that resulted in saving a man's life on Thursday, August 10, 2006.
Graessle, a 16 year-old lifeguard at Independence Green Apartments in Farmington Hills was on duty at the complex pool where she was watching swimmers swim laps. She noticed a man come up out of the water and then immediately go back down. Graessle, a junior at Farmington High School, knew there was something wrong and immediately took action, jumping into the water to pull the 35-year-old man up and on to the deck of the pool along with the help of another swimmer. She said that his face had already turned blue and that he was unconscious and not breathing. Graessle performed CPR, helping the man regain consciousness. Shortly after, Farmington Hills EMS arrived to take the man to Botsford General Hospital.
Farmington Hills Deputy Fire Chief, Kevin Bersche told the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, "As far as we can tell, she did exactly what she was trained to do. This emphasizes the quality of the training she received and how willing she was to put that to use. It's a great story.";
The WNBA Detroit Shock and American Red Cross My Personal Heroes Program is a second-year initiative that encourages fans to nominate a person or group from their local community who has gone above and beyond the call of duty and recognize their accomplishments at a Shock home game during the 2006 season.
To nominate a hero, who can come from any walk of life, fans only need to complete an on-line nomination form at www.detroitshock.com or send name(s), address, phone number and name of school or organization to:
"WNBA Detroit Shock and American Red Cross My Personal Heroes";
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Four Championship Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Only one entry per person per email address per household will be accepted. Please see www.detroitshock.com for a complete list of rules/regulations and additional information. For more information on the My Personal Heroes program or to purchase tickets for any upcoming home game, please contact The Palace at (248) 377-0100 or visit www.detroitshock.com.
Lennox is the presenting sponsor for the 2006 Detroit Shock. For more information about the Detroit Shock or to purchase tickets for any upcoming Shock game, call 248-377-0100 or go online at www.detroitshock.com.
- For information on NBA Pistons & WNBA Detroit Shock Community Programming, please visit www.pistons.com or www.detroitshock.com -