EMT Simone Kelly On the Opioid Overdose That Went Viral: ‘Don't Be a Bystander’

Simone Kelly went viral after reviving a man with Narcan at the Knicks parade. Here, she shares her passion for treating addiction. Kelly, 24, a pre-med student and volunteer EMT, is pursuing a calling in emergency psychiatry and addiction. Courtesy of Simone Kelly Simone Kelly was off-duty during the New York Knicks celebration parade in Lower Manhattan when she climbed a subway platform at the World Trade Center to save a man’s life with Narcan on June 18. Kelly, a 24-year-old volunteer EMT with the South Orange Rescue Squad in New Jersey, and a pre-med student at Drew University, captured the attention and hearts of millions. Her act of heroism demonstrated that anyone can step in during an opioid emergency. Kelly was joined by another anonymous healthcare worker and several others. “It was a bit chaotic — people in the crowd were just throwing things they thought might help,” Kelly told Healthline. “A bottle of water came up, and we poured that on him, hoping he’s just overheating from hyperthermia. Then someone tossed up Narcan, and I was glad there was someone else in the crowd who was gauging what this could be. At that point, there is no harm in administering Narcan, so that is what we did,” she said. Kelly said she normally carries intranasal naloxone with her everywhere, but that day, she left it at home to lighten her load at the parade. “It’s on my keys. It’s very bulky, and my keys have broken numerous times, not necessarily from the Narcan. But that day I did not have it,” Kelly said. “I remember standing in my kitchen with my keys in one hand and the Narcan in the other, like I don’t have pockets, I can’t bring a bag. I’ve always brought it, but never had to use it on the street.” Kelly’s passion for treating those with addiction is evident. She’s studying neuroscience with a minor in psychology and chemistry, and says she’s found some of her favorite people riding the ambulance as an EMT. Her calling, she say