Illinois Red Cross Honors 15 Community Heroes in Chicago

The American Red Cross of Illinois celebrated 15 extraordinary people at their 24th Annual Heroes Breakfast in Chicago this week, and their stories prove that heroism comes in countless forms.

The honorees include healthcare workers, police officers, firefighters, veterans, and community leaders who've dedicated themselves to making Illinois a better place. Each person earned recognition for going above and beyond to help others in their darkest moments.

Among the standout honorees is Rima Ziuraitis of Naperville, a Ukrainian combat medic who brought her lifesaving skills to serve others. Keztly Angel, a cashier at Loyola University Medical Center in Forest Park, earned the Lifesaving Rescue Hero award for her quick thinking in an emergency.

Youth leaders Cayla Boehm and Maelyn Garcia from Service and Learning Together showed that age is no barrier to making a difference. Dr. LaMenta Conway of Flossmoor founded the I Am Abel Foundation, earning her the Education Hero distinction for her commitment to empowering students.

Law enforcement officers Marco Lomibao and Dennis Stachura from Glendale Heights received recognition for their service protecting communities. Kevin McNicholas, a Chicago firefighter and EMT, was honored for his bravery on the front lines of emergency response.

The social justice category recognized Damon Lamar Reed and Nicole Reed of Chicago, co-founders of the Still Searching Project, who work tirelessly to bring closure to families of missing persons. Lone Williams founded Love & Protect Wisdom, earning the Community Impact Hero award for her grassroots work in Chicago neighborhoods.

Army veteran Yvette Jones-Swanson of Frankfort created VetMentors to support fellow veterans, while Chong Hsich leads disaster relief efforts as executive director of Tzu Chi USA's Midwest Region. Suzanne Hammer coordinates critical blood donation programs at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, and Ashley Huizar continues making a difference in healthcare every single day.

The Ripple Effect: These 15 honorees represent something bigger than individual achievement. They've collectively touched thousands of lives through blood donation programs, disaster relief, veteran support, youth mentorship, and emergency response. Their work creates a cascade of positive change that spreads through families, neighborhoods, and entire communities across Illinois.

The Red Cross also presented their 2026 Heritage Award to the Malott Family Foundation, which has expanded from supporting education and arts to funding worldwide disaster relief and climate resiliency programs.

In a world that often focuses on what's broken, this breakfast reminds us that countless people wake up every day choosing to be part of the solution.