Ella was enjoying the lakes in Tahoe with a friend when she heard someone shouting "Help." No one else heard the cries but Ella kept looking. She saw a hand waving out in the water. Ella jumped in the water and swam to a young woman drowning. The woman grabbed on to Ella.
Ella looked the woman in the eyes and stated, "If you grab me we will both drown." She told the woman to kick her legs and she will pull her to safety. As they were making progress to the shore the woman said she was with a man who was under the water. Ella alerted people on the shore and strangers swam out to find the missing swimmer. He was found unconscious and taken to shore where Ella and other strangers began CPR. They continued CPR until EMS arrived. Unfortunately, this person did not survive.
Ella is a single parent with three small children. She did not hesitate when she discovered someone was in danger not even if this put herself in danger as well. She is a wonderful nurse, coworker, and friend. I believe this incident shows what a truly amazing person Ella is.