July 16, 2026

Local youth learn life-saving skills through Stop the Bleed^® training

At Hope Street Margolis Family Center, California Hospital Medical Center’s family-centered community health and wellness program, kids spent part of their school break learning a skill that could one day save a life.

Hope Street student practicing Stop the Bleed training with CHMC trauma nurse As part of Hope Street’s Summer of Science program, students recently participated in a Stop the Bleed® training led by CHMC’s trauma experts. The national initiative teaches people how to recognize and respond to life-threatening bleeding emergencies using three simple techniques: applying pressure, packing a wound and using a tourniquet. Severe bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death after injury, making these skills especially valuable in the critical moments before first responders arrive.

Through hands-on training, students learned that they don’t have to be healthcare professionals to make a difference in an emergency. Instead, they gained confidence, practical knowledge, and a deeper understanding of how quick action can help save lives.

“I was so happy to participate in the session and meet these students,” said Heather J. Henry, RN, Trauma Process Improvement Nurse at CHMC. “Stop the Bleed empowers people—including children—to take action in an emergency. The skills they learned are simple, easy to remember, and can truly make the difference between life and death.”

Hope Street student practicing Stop the Bleed training with Hope Street staff Michelle Baker, RN, Manager of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at CHMC, emphasized the importance of empowering young people with practical emergency response skills. “Here in Los Angeles County, the average 911 response time is seven minutes, yet a person can bleed to death in as little as five,” she said. “This isn't about being a first responder; it's about being a first person. By learning how to apply pressure, pack a wound, or use a tourniquet, these students gained the confidence and skills to take action when every second counts.”

California Hospital is a Level II Trauma Center, with the J. Thomas McCarthy Emergency Center and Leavey Trauma Center being the only trauma center located in downtown Los Angeles.

The training is just one of many enriching opportunities offered through Summer of Science, a 100% donor-supported summer camp that provides seven weeks of hands-on STEAM learning, art, music, dance, and weekly field trips for local youth. Now in its eleventh year, Summer of Science is offered tuition-free thanks to philanthropy—sparking curiosity, building confidence, and helping students discover new possibilities for their futures.

Summer of Science is 100% supported by generous donors like you.

From inspiring a love of science to teaching life-saving skills, donor support helps Hope Street Margolis Family Center at California Hospital empower children and families to thrive. Your generosity makes programs like Summer of Science possible, creating opportunities that educate, inspire, and strengthen our community. Support Hope Street’s transformative programs by donating today or by attending the Champions for Children Dinner on Saturday, September 26 at Jonathan Club. To learn more, visit HopeStreetFamilyCenter.org.