Rebecca Anderson was a graduate of Mid-Del
Tech and State Vice President of Oklahoma HOSA in 1992-93 Rebecca died April 23, 1995,
as a result of a head injury she received while trying to save victims involved in the
April 19, 1995, Alfred P. Murrah Building (Oklahoma City, OK) bombing. She was one of
20,000 volunteers from
all over the state and country who joined the 2,000
professional emergency workers to comb through the rubble to rescue the living and recover
the dead. Rebecca, like so many others, reacted instinctively to the April 19th blast. She
wanted to help. In many ways Rebecca's story is much like any other volunteer, except for
one detail. Though they all risked their lives when they entered the crumbling hulk of
mangled metal and shattered cement, she was the only one who died. At 37, this newly
remarried mother of four gave her life trying to save ordinary people like herself.
Shortly after her husband dropped her off at the bombing scene, Rebecca was apparently hit
on the back of the head by a piece of falling debris. She initially declined medical
attention and kept insisting she had to get back and help the wounded. She collapsed
minutes later and was rushed to the hospital herself. Initially doctors were optimistic
that Rebecca would recover. Later that day they performed surgery to remove a blood clot
from her brain, but after the first day, Rebecca never regained consciousness and died on
April 23rd. Rebecca's heart, kidneys, eyes and liver were all donated as one last generous
act to help others.
Rebecca wasn't a victim of the bombing. She didn't have to be there.
She went to help others in need and it cost her her life. That is the ultimate gift to
mankind; she gave her life helping other people. Rebecca, thank you.
How to Apply: Deadline - March 7,
2008
Scholarships are available to either a senior secondary
or postsecondary student who plans to continue or further their
education in the health career field.
Use National HOSA Scholarship Application form (see link
at bottom of page). Applications must be typed, gramatically
correct and complete for acceptance and review by the awards committee.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
All applications are to be submitted by the local
advisor to the State HOSA Advisor by the above deadline.
The awards committee will make the final decision
and a monetary award of $250.00 will be awarded at the State Leadership
Conference.
all over the state and country who joined the 2,000
professional emergency workers to comb through the rubble to rescue the living and recover
the dead. Rebecca, like so many others, reacted instinctively to the April 19th blast. She
wanted to help. In many ways Rebecca's story is much like any other volunteer, except for
one detail. Though they all risked their lives when they entered the crumbling hulk of
mangled metal and shattered cement, she was the only one who died. At 37, this newly
remarried mother of four gave her life trying to save ordinary people like herself.
Shortly after her husband dropped her off at the bombing scene, Rebecca was apparently hit
on the back of the head by a piece of falling debris. She initially declined medical
attention and kept insisting she had to get back and help the wounded. She collapsed
minutes later and was rushed to the hospital herself. Initially doctors were optimistic
that Rebecca would recover. Later that day they performed surgery to remove a blood clot
from her brain, but after the first day, Rebecca never regained consciousness and died on
April 23rd. Rebecca's heart, kidneys, eyes and liver were all donated as one last generous
act to help others.