Man Looks for Good Samaritan Who Saved His Life

Morton Bender wants to find and thank the man who performed chest compressions and managed to revive him when he collapsed.

Morton Bender is known for his generosity and willingness to help others. He's now asking for the public's help to find the man who saved his life.

The 80-year-old Washington, D.C., businessman and philanthropist suffered a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the lung – and collapsed after leaving the Uptown Theater in northwest D.C. Aug. 19.

His wife, Grace, caught him as he collapsed, ensuring his head didn't hit the sidewalk. She thought her husband of 34 years had taken his last breath.

"In seconds, ice cold, soaking wet, not breathing," Grace said.

But a mystery man was able to revive Morton before medics showed up by performing CPR. As he recovers at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Morton and his wife want to find and thank that man.

"I'd like to thank the guy who made my chest so sore," Bender said. "He saved me ... more people out there should be like him."

Doctors told the couple the Good Samaritan gave Morton a second chance at life.

And that's exactly what they want to do. 

"That man saved my husband," Grace said. "He needs to be commended and recognized as a Good Samaritan."

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