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CPR Saturday remembers passionate leader

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CPR Saturday came back this year.

Last year, it was not held because its co-chair Kristi Deckard died of cancer.

The 2020 CPR Saturday honored Deckard at the Billings Clinic Mary Alice Fortin Center.

Deckard saved a child in Cancun several years ago.

“The little boy was drowning," said Enna Deckard, Krist's daughter. "My mom started doing CPR. Two days later, he survived, and it was awewome.”

Kristi’s daughter Enna was 11-years old and in the pool during the CPR.

“The way that she did that was inspiring to me because she actually saved a little kid," Enna Deckard said about her mother. "So it was kind of cool watching her help other people.”

"Something we hope we never see," said Jason Mahoney, CPR Saturday chair. "But when it does happen and we’re able to have a successful outcome, catch back up with that patient who we found down and in need of CPR, shake their hand, give them a hug weeks afterward, it’s one of the most amazing things.”

Mahoney co-chaired CPR Saturday with Kristi Deckard.

“Kristi Deckard died last year on Feb. 20 so we put off CPR Saturday last year," he said. "So it seemed natural this year to do CPR Saturday in honor of Kristi."

"If Kristi had a legacy, I would hope that at least a small part it is that drive to train as many folks as possible to save as many lives as possible,” Mahoney said.

“Everyone loved her," Enna Deckard said. "She loved helping people and I think they wanted to come to this this year because she passed away last year. And she just loved helping people.”

Kristi Deckard was the Community Training Center Coordinator at Billings Clinic.

Mahoney said if you missed CPR Saturday, both Billings Clinic and St. Vincent Healthcare offer CPR training.