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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Sally Schuff I <br /> 520 N Street SW 2085 JAM 5 PH 2' 14 <br /> Washington, D.C. 20024 <br /> <br /> Jan. 23, 2008 <br /> <br /> <br /> Fire Chief Clint Coloma <br /> Hawaii Fire Department <br /> Special Operations/Ocean Safety <br /> 25 Aupuni Street <br /> Hilo, HI 96720 <br /> <br /> Dear Chief Coloma: <br /> <br /> I am writing to you of my deep gratitude for the work of your lifeguard, Sean <br /> Gallagher, whose quick action on Jan. 6 is credited with saving my life. <br /> I had a pulmonary embolism while snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach on Sunday, Jan. <br /> 6. But I did not know I was in grave danger. Thankfully, Sean recognized I was in trouble <br /> as I struggled to get out of the water. Even though I was walking - but wobbly - he <br /> intervened immediately with a calm and professional insistence that I might need medical <br /> aid. As soon as he heard the fluid on my lungs (even I could hear the bubbling), Sean <br /> acted quickly to get me on oxygen and summon paramedics. Dr. Stephen Denzer at Kona <br /> Community Hospital told me frankly, "the lifeguard saved your life." <br /> The image of Sean on the beach that day will remain with me the rest of my life, <br /> and my gratitude is deep. Although I could tell something was wrong, I thought it was <br /> something that would soon pass - perhaps a heart palpitation from the exercise. I would <br /> have pretended that I was OK so as not to ruin my friends' day. But, Sean with his <br /> medical training, simply wasn't buying my protestations. <br /> I spent a week in the Kona Community Hospital with outstanding medical care <br /> front Dr. Dawes in the emergency room and Dr. Denzer, the hospitalist. They were <br /> dogged in their pursuit of a diagnosis, which resulted is immediate and excellent <br /> treatment. The nursing staff surrounded me with safety and kindness. I am now back at <br /> my home in Washington D.C. and expected to make a full recovery. <br /> It is really hard to put in words how grateful I am to Sean, to the medical and <br /> nursing staff at the Kona Hospital, and to the Aloha spirit of Hawaii, which seems to lift <br /> up even strangers on their first visit to your beautiful island. <br /> As a small token of my thanks I am enclosing a $500 donation to your fire <br /> department in honor of Sean Gallagher. I hope it will be of use in the work your <br /> lifeguards do to save lives. <br /> <br /> Very cordiall , <br /> <br /> <br /> Sally Sch <br /> (aka Sara <br /> /y EH. Schuff) Copy to: Sean Gallagher <br /> <br /> <br /> ~O ~ I <br />