WELLEN PARK — Debra Keller was having a heart attack on Aug. 8.
But because of bystanders and a group of first responders and health care workers, Keller’s life was saved.
She thanked them Thursday.
An emotional Keller attended a presentation at Station 86 in Wellen Park. She brought family, friends — and her real estate agent — to help give thanks to the team of people who saved her.
Those people included members of the North Port Fire Rescue, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota County Fire Department, and the Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Venice Campus — in addition to the bystanders who were there when it happened.
Tammie Schroder, Keller’s real estate agent, was one of those who rushed to help. Officials give her credit for her initial response.
Schroder was showing Keller places at LaCasa Mobile Home Park when Keller collapsed.
Schroder performed CPR when she realized was happening.
“When you’re in that moment, you don’t think of anything besides trying to help that person,” Schroder said in conversations with Keller and her family and friends.