Food delivery services make our lives so much easier. We only have to scroll through an app through a list of restaurants and tap our orders away. Food would be delivered in a few minutes—a lifesaver in their unique way.
But what if they do become literal lifesavers? I’m talking about catering to emergencies that are a matter of life and death. If you don’t believe me, this story might change your mind.
Delivery Turned Emergency
One February evening, Sophia Furtado was on her way to New Bedford, Massachusetts. She was on the way to deliver pizza as her final delivery for that night. After a long day at work, she looked forward to capping her night off and heading home.
It seemed like fate had a different plan for her as she found her customer unconscious at the foot of their front steps. Her head was bleeding, and she was unconscious. This prompted Sophia to act on the situation.
Trained to Serve
Caryn Herbert Sullivan laid unconscious on the ground while Sophia tried to check if there was someone else in her house that could help her. Luckily, Caryn’s husband, Robert, was napping inside. Sophia tried to wake him up. Robert was emotional as he saw his wife on the ground and wasn’t responding to them.
But Sophia was focused on helping Caryn as she gave out instructions to Robert on the things she needed. She was on the phone with 911 as she wrapped Caryn in a blanket and applied light pressure on her wound using a towel. She also stabilized her to ensure that she won’t acquire any spinal injury.
Fairhaven Police Department officers Jillian Jodoin and Benoit arrived as Sophia continued to assist them. She waited until the paramedics arrived and gave them all the pre-arrival information that could help Caryn’s case.
Life-saving Delivery
What was supposed to be a pizza delivery turned into a life-saving act.
Caryn was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery due to a couple of severe bleeds.
“The attending doctor was adamant that had there been any delay in her care, she would have succumbed to her injuries,” Officer Jodoin told TODAY.
With the Sullivans’ permission, the police department gave Sophia updates on Caryn’s situation. But they also gave her something more.
Honoring a Hero
The Fairhaven Police Department wouldn’t brush off the incident without giving Sophia the recognition she deserved.
Sophia received the Life Saving Award from the Fairhaven Police Department and a $1,000 educational grant sponsored by DoorDash. The company said they were grateful for Sophia’s efforts and stepping up in such a critical moment.
In an interview with WJAR10, Sophia said she always wanted to be an EMT, but she had to make the ultimate sacrifice of giving up that dream when she started to have kids.
But this dream might just come true for her as a local emergency training school offered Sophia an EMT Basic Course for free. That, plus the educational grant, would surely be something she would use in the future.
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