Trained for Saving Lives
In 2009, while he was training for what would have been his eighth marathon, Ron Rubin collapsed. His heart rate spiked abnormally, a sudden onset of ventricular tachycardia.
His son, Todd, dialed 911. While Ron was in the Emergency Room, medical personnel used electric shocks to bring his heartbeat back to normal. He now lives with an implanted cardiac defibrillator. That’s quite literal – Ron credits the defibrillator with having saved his life at least four times over the years.
Saving lives with free defibrillators
Ron’s personal experience – and his belief that sustainability means taking care both of our planet and the people who call it home – inspired him to create the Trained for “Saving Lives,” program – providing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to United States wineries. His vision? To make the winery experience safer for both visitors and employees.
In collaboration with the American Red Cross and ZOLL Medical Corporation, River Road Family Vineyards and Winery is covering the cost of one ZOLL AED PLUS (Automated External Defibrillator) unit, to 450 qualifying, United States wineries. This sustainability and safety plan is designed to keep visitors to wineries safe and saved, if necessary. Each day, wineries all over the United States become more heart safe, in the possible event that CPR or an AED would be necessary. All of these 383 wineries are now Trained for “Saving Lives,” with over 1,800 newly trained staff members ready to take action, if and when necessary.
Awards for the Trained for “Saving Lives” program:
- Sonoma County Vintners Association bestowed upon Ron Rubin their 2019 Innovator Award. Presented to Ron, this award is due to Ron Rubin’s outstanding commitment to the community, by virtue of its broad support of vital, sustainable community needs, through its AED Trained for “Saving Lives”.
- LuxeSF (formerly the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco) named Ron Rubin’s Trained for “Saving Lives” program worthy their 2019 Rising Wine Stars Award, “Service to The Community.”
- The Sonoma County Winegrape Commission‘s 2018 Spirit of Sonoma Award, honoring individuals who contribute to the economic development and enhancement of the communities in which they live, work, and conduct business, through donations of their time and expertise in support of local business and in helping others.
- North Bay Business Journal’s 2018 Wine Industry + Spirits Awards; a special award specifically given to Ron for his outstanding commitment to the wine community, by donating these AEDs.