Near tragedy averted by caring O’Hara student

TONAWANDA — For Romerro Estrada, an evening that started out fun could have ended in tragedy if not for the calm, cool and collected reaction from a friend. 

Following a Cardinal O’Hara High School girls’ basketball game, Romerro prepared to practice with the boys’ basketball team. As he started, his eyes began to itch, a first sign of an allergy. In just minutes his eyes were swollen shut.

Romerro, a sophomore at Cardinal O’Hara, knew the peanut allergy he’s had since a child could turn deadly for him.

“I haven’t any idea what started this problem,” Romerro said.

Luckily, his friend and teammate Elijah Chambers, a freshman, noticed what was happening and jumbled into action.

“I wanted to help him, and he suggested calling his mom,” Elijah said.

“He called me and showed me on Facetime how my son looked,” Romona Estrada said.

She knew they had to call 911 and the coach concurred. Within minutes the paramedics arrived and began treatment. In the meantime, Romerro’s mom raced to the school.

“It was a scary thing,” she said. “He was taken to the hospital by ambulance, although the paramedics’ treatment kept the reaction from spreading and closing his throat. That would have led to death.”

“I haven’t had an allergy attack in a long time,” Romerro said, “and I didn’t have an Epi-pen with me. I’m happy that Eli knew what to do.”

“I can’t praise Elijah enough for what he did,” Ramona Estrada said. ”He is such a responsible kid. He knew what was happening and stayed calm.”

Principal Joleen Dimitroff added, “I can’t express how proud I am of both Romerro and Elijah. They both kept their composure and reacted in a manner that ultimately averted a possible tragedy. The entire situation exemplifies our culture of caring, compassion and leadership. Our students take care of each other.”