(Pictured: Lisa Courneya and her grandchild, Saint, on May 27—seven days after Courneya helped save the infant’s  life with CPR.)

National Grandparents Day, when their contributions to the lives of young people, is Sept. 8. It has added meaning this year for Lisa Courneya and her infant grandson.

Courneya, who lives in the Lake Tapps area of Pierce County, was visiting her daughter on May 20 to celebrate the birth two days earlier of her new grandchild, Saint Courneya. While he was in Courneya’s arms, he turned blue and stopped breathing.

Recently trained in Lifesaving First Aid/CPR skills, Courneya knew to check for vital signs immediately, clear Saint’s airway, and begin CPR. She continued after paramedics arrived and began additional life support efforts while en route to Seattle Children’s Hospital, where Saint recovered.

Courneya said she “never thought” she would be using her lifesaving skills “with my own family. I am very thankful and grateful I took this training, and that I was there when Saint stopped breathing.”

An American Red Cross spokeswoman called it “an incredible, heartwarming story.”

To honor them, Red Cross will present its Certificate of Merit to Courneya and a Lifesaving Instructor Award to her CPR instructor, Frank Sebastian, at a ceremony Sept. 23. Sebastian is also from Lake Tapps.