Cross Blog: Award-winning Red Cross news and views from Oregon and beyond

CPR For Cats, By Cats.

2009-07-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

Soon I'm taking up cat-sitting duty, including daily walks with a leash. Therefore, I couldn't resist! .....the lolcat:

So....Have You Met Maree?

2009-07-16T15:58:00.001-07:00

For those of you that work in our office, Maree's is surely a familiar face. And for those of you who read The Oregonian, well, you probably recognize her as well.

Why?

Because yesterday's paper featured a nice article about Ms. Wacker and the vision she has as the new CEO for our organization.

Want to know more? Read it right here.

Sharing is Caring

2009-07-16T13:12:00.000-07:00

Every year, nearly 5 million people in the U.S. receive a blood transfusion...are you one of those people?

If you live in the Pacific Northwest area and you have a story that you'd like to share about being a recipient of blood or platelets, please email me at trullingert@usa.redcross.org.

Your story could inspire others to help save lives through blood donation.

Photo courtesy of emrank

Our Hillsboro Mitigation Project By The Numbers!

2009-07-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

Together We Prepare Hillsboro was our weekend project that's received a few posts already. To truly see the accomplishments of this event, here are the numbers for supplies we distributed, people we connected with and information we gave out:

62 volunteer and employee staff took the weekend to prepare Hillsboro
81 households have working smoke detectors that didn't before
500 first aid kits were distributed to individuals in Hillsboro
1456 families received emergency preparedness information
686 people had direct contact with a Red Cross canvasser

We also heard conversations on how the Red Cross impacted lives throughout this Hillsboro neighborhood; whether through skills gained through classes, receiving blood donations or reaching out to family members in the military.

Our walkers were invited into homes to check on fire safety issues such as working smoke alarms or to change batteries. Back at the Cooler Club headquarters, several additional people noticed our Red Cross canopies and were reached as well through information, smoke detectors and first aid kits. Lastly, one family we met stressed the timeliness of this project, as they had just experienced a house fire themselves.

This event could not have happened without the coordinated efforts of many dedicated staff members and volunteers.

This little boy was excited to take on the role of preparedness coordinator for his entire household.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

2009-07-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you...

[The place names link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]

TAJIKISTAN: Red Crescent workers are helping construct a whole new village for 4,000 people who lost their homes to mudslides a few months ago.

Located at the foothilss of the Pamir mountains, Tajikistan is quite vulnerable to natural disasters - experiencing events such as earthquakes, mud and landslides, floods, droughts or cold waves up to 50 times per year.

THE MALDIVES: Speaking of building entire communities, check out this video from our colleague Eric Porterfield's visit to the island the Red Cross rebuilt for tsunami survivors.

BURKINA FASO: In an area where half of all doctor visits are due to Malaria, the IFRC has stepped up mosquito net distribution - handing out 60,000 nets in just the first week of July.

BENIN, GHANA, and the CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: An early warning system allowed IFRC workers to pre-position relief supplies in areas that would soon be flooded. That means more rapid distribution of aid for more than 13,000 people who have been affected.

GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

20-Minute Neighborhoods and Emergency Response: A Potluck Presentation Tonight

2009-07-15T10:12:00.000-07:00

A 20-minute neighborhood is one in which "you can walk to essential amenities and services in 20 minutes." These "essential amenities" typicall refer to restaurants, schools, parks and other daily life kind of places. By this definition, Portland has quite a few of these 20-minute neighborhoods.

But in a disaster "essential" takes on another meaning. Hospitals, fire stations, and supply staging areas become daily needs. Having these resources nearby is particularly important in Portland - a city divided into multiple sections by rivers and bridges.

That's why it's great that Jeremy O'Leary - local sustainability and GIS mapping buff - is giving a potluck presentation tonight on building resilient 20-minute neighborhoods that integrate emergency response.

Check out Jeremy's 20-minute neighborhood mapping slideshow before you go, and be sure to bring a snack for the potluck!

TONIGHT - Wednesday, July 15

7:00pm - 9:00pm
St. Francis Dining Hall, 1182 SE Pine St.

A Little Laugh To Start Your Day

2009-07-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our friend Dede for yet another great CPR-themed comic our way...

Via DailyINK.com

If you want to brush up on your "dance moves," sign up for a short review class.

Together We Prepare Hillsboro

2009-07-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

Just in case you weren't able to join us in Hillsboro, here are a few photos I snapped during the this weekend's festivities:

Red Cross Spotting: Loïe Fuller

2009-07-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

We've noted before that the Red Cross pops up everywhere. That's why we created the "Red Cross Spotting" Flickr pool, so that when you spot a cross, you can snap a pic and post it yourself.

So I've ceased to be surprised when the Red Cross rears its head...even on my weekends, even out with friends and even in the middle of the Columbia River Gorge.

Those of you that know me know of my love for Chuck Palahniuk's Fugitives and Refugees, a rather unconventional guide to Portland and the surrounding area. In it, Chuck details places of interest that often go under the radar; and this weekend, we thought to check out a few while guests were in town.

One of the spots we hit was the Maryhill Museum, about two hours east of Portland (but actually up in Washington). You can read all about the museum right here.

One of the museum's founders was Loïe Fuller, and there's an extensive exhibit of memorabilia from her lifetime as an actress, dancer and choreographer. Let me tell you, this woman was absolutely fascinating...perhaps she even influenced the more recent projects of Christo and Jeanne-Claude?

In any case, Loïe -- in addition to all of her creative work -- also raised money for the Red Cross and was photographed several times in Red Cross nursing uniforms, as you'll see above.

I snapped the pic (no flash, I promise!) in the museum, but I'd urge you to check out all of Maryhill's exhibits in person yourself!

"Wii-PR?"

2009-07-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

So...just like Lise is fairly certain the writers for The Office read our blog (see here, here and here) ...I'm pretty sure Nintendo's game developers are following us as well.

Earlier this year, I wrote about the health benefits the Wii can provide and now recent news has triggered a second post concerning the Wii's role in health. This time it's CPR-specific!

According to Newsweek, the American Heart Association has pledged $50,000 towards the creation of a Wii game that teaches CPR using only a Wii remote and a screen! The research team, four biomedical engineering students from the University of Alabama, have a difficult task ahead of them.

As an instructor, it's my opinion that learning CPR solely from a video game (with a pillow or basketball as alternates to a manikin) won't provide adequate training. I DO however, see this as an exciting opportunity to inspire Wii gamers to sign up for a class. It also would function great as a refresher for those already trained in CPR.

More First Aid Myths From The Oregonian

2009-07-13T15:09:00.000-07:00

The Oregonian agrees: some of what you "know" about First Aid is probably wrong.

This weekend's article even puts some hard stats behind that hunch:

More than half of 654 parents in a recent survey answered incorrectly some basic questions about treating burns, insect stings and bites. Three-fourths held mistaken notions about treating cuts and scrapes.

Wow. That's a lot!

Thankfully the Oregonian also does a little myth-busting on the subjects of: bee stings, scrapes, splinters, sunburns, drowning and snakebites. Read up, then take a class.

A Thank You to Blood Donors

2009-07-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

A few months ago, I told you about a brave little boy from Portland named Alex who was battling cancer. Alex's fight with T-Cell Lymphoma and his need for blood transfusions continues today. Below is a blog comment and a 'thank you' to blood donors that I received from Alex's mom.

Tara,

Alex is back in the hospital, and just received another transfusion of whole blood. Please pass on our sincere Thank You's to all the donors who help make our hope of Alex beating this cancer a reality. Please thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

Sincerely,

Sara, Alex's mom.

Remember, blood donors, that you really are helping to save lives like Alex's each time you give blood. Recipients, their friends and family, and the Red Cross are grateful for your selflessness and generosity.

To help save lives through blood donation, please make an appointment by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or by visiting http://www.givelife.org/.

To learn more about Alex and his battle with cancer, visit his mom's blog called Alex's Battle.

Photo taken of Alex in March of 2009

8 Common First Aid Mistakes And Myths That Make Things Worse

2009-07-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever put butter on a burn or heat on a sprained ankle? Well, chances are you were making the injury worse rather than better.

A friend sent me this list of eight basic First Aid myths that can actually cause more harm than good. It covers burns, seizures, sprains, snake bites, nose bleeds, vitamin overdoses, choking and fevers, and it's pretty much in line with what our First Aid instructors teach.

The only thing I think we'd add is to try a couple of solid back blows before attempting abdominal thrusts (aka "Heimlich Maneuver") on a choking person.

Of course, if you want more in depth training and practice, you can always take a class.

photo via flickr's eschipul

Live to Give This Summer

2009-07-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

KGW news reporter Drew Carney donated blood live on the air on Friday, July 3, at the Red Cross Portland Donor Center. Guided by Daphne Mathew, our blood services Communications Director, Drew took viewers through the blood donation process, all the way up to his very own donation.

Drew’s blood donation helped jumpstart the "Live to Give Summer Blood Drive," a partnership with the Red Cross PNW Blood Services, KGW, and the Portland Marriott. Together our goal is to collect 30,000 units of blood between July 1 and August 18. To accomplish this, we really need your help.

Click here to see the full video of Drew at the Red Cross. Thanks to Drew for helping to save lives through blood donation and for kicking off the Live to Give Summer Blood Drive!

For more information about the Live to Give campaign, click here or here.

Weekend Plans...

2009-07-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

What are you doing this weekend?

Whether you're in Hillsboro or North Portland, you're bound to see Red Crossers out in the community, doing good things.

For example, in Hillsboro, we're going door-to-door to educate residents about the importance of safety and preparedness. No, we're not asking for donations...we're actually GIVING AWAY FREE STUFF.

Yep, we'll be gifting residents free swag including smoke alarms, batteries and first aid kits. We'll also be talking to them about how to make sure their homes are safe and that they're prepared for anything.

We'll also be talking about preparedness (and the importance of donating blood and getting trained) at the Mississippi Avenue Street Fair on Saturday. This is a huge event and it's right down the street from our offices. If I wasn't already working Together We Prepare Hillsboro, you better believe that's where I'd be hanging out.

So look for us this weekend, no matter where you're located. We always like meeting our online peeps!

Attention Creative Types!

2009-07-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wants you. Or at least she wants your educational video.

Start making your PSA today -- you've got until August 17 to submit. And the grand prize isn't too shabby; $2,500 for spreading the word instead of a virus.

Love Letter to a Blood Donor

2009-07-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

Dearest Blood Donor:

I’m so confused… did we break up? It seems like every time I call, you’re never home. I haven’t seen you in so long and I miss you.

I know it’s summer and you’re probably busy with vacations and barbecues with friends, but do you think you could squeeze in a little bit of time for me… just an hour or so? We've had so many good times together. Remember how many lives we’ve helped to save?

Please come back to me this summer. I really truly can’t live without you.

Love Forever xoxo,
American Red Cross

P.S. Maybe you’ve lost my number? If so, it's 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Call me anytime. I’ll be waiting by the phone.

Photo courtesy of erin MC hammer

Mmmm...Pie.

2009-07-09T16:36:00.000-07:00

The Portland Pie-Off is coming on August 16 and I just spotted this crazy "CPR Pie" category.

Who could have done that and what does it mean? Well, you'll just have to stay tuned.

And, in the interim, eat pie.

Mmmm...pie.

"Still Doing The Right Thing, Even When Everyone Else Is Done Watching"

2009-07-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

I received an e-mail last night.

Okay, I received lots of e-mails, but this one stood out. It's actually from one of my brand-new public affairs volunteers who, despite lots of training, finally GOT the Red Cross this weekend.

Read on:

"What I’ve learned since joining you is that my former perception of what the Red Cross does is pretty much what a lot of those around me believe as well.

I knew that Red Cross people went to local, national and international disasters and did the blood thing, of course…but when the news had a comment about the Red Cross providing clothes, I had no idea what they did.

I thought that perhaps the Red Cross got clothes from someplace like Goodwill…or had donations given to them that were of a similar nature…OR, perhaps they gave a family enough money to get each member jeans, a shirt and a pair of shoes to tide them over.

Even that seemed like a nice thing for them to do in my view, so my perception overall was a positive one, but didn’t necessarily tug my heartstrings because I haven’t known anyone who needed the Red Cross’ help as yet.

As far as providing shelter…I expected they bought the people a hotel for the night, thereby allowing them a night and day to figure out what they were going to do next and who they could go live with.

I didn’t know that you gave on-going grief counseling after disasters, or that you gave it to military families…for a death that might have occurred half the world away.

Carolyn [one of our long-time disaster volunteers] gave me HUGE insight! She told me about the more than $100 per person for clothes. She told me they would pay for rent for a month (and deposits), if deemed necessary. To find out that she was looking for an assisted care center for a gentleman this last weekend absolutely astounded me. I had NO idea! And that she and her husband help those grieving over the death of their pets nearly had ME in tears as she told of their pet burial ground.

I’ve worked in those large companies who hold those blood drives for their employees and others in those high rises. I’ve been the person that someone goes to in order to ask for money or other help during huge emergency situations, but nobody has ever given me details like that.

I believe the Red Cross needs to “toot” their own horn…and let people know exactly what they are doing; the details that are coordinated AFTER the firemen are gone, the hoopla and adrenaline have died down, and the cold, hard realities still have to be faced. Someone is still standing with the people in their corner: the staff of the Red Cross!

Someone once told me a quote that I absolutely love. It was something like, “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” What I now know is, “Today’s Red Cross: Still doing the right thing, even when everyone else is done watching.”

Wow, right? Can you imagine how happy I am to have her on our public affairs team? But her point is well taken -- lots of people know the big picture of what we do, but not the little details of how we're truly rebuilding the lives of people who have absolutely nothing left.

What we do is important. I'm proud to work for the Red Cross and if you're a donor, you should feel good about what your gift helps us accomplish.

Did you know all of these things about the Red Cross? If you're an employee or volunteer, what work do you see us doing that goes under the radar?

Photo of an actual hand-written letter (who does that anymore?) courtesy of a.drian

Getting Lost In A "Driveway Moment"

2009-07-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

When the OPB Radio pledge drive is in full effect, they talk a lot about "driveway moments," those times where you're so intrigued by a story that you'd rather stay in the car and listen than get out and on with your day.

This morning I heard such a story on Morning Edition -- psychology professor Colin Ellard talking about getting lost.

These days, people take along a compass when hiking or a GPS while driving, but there's still the potential for being completely confounded. Some tips that Ellard suggests? Make up a story about something nearby to remember a certain spot (like where you parked your car) and when you get really lost, you should just stop.

Ellard also mentioned that wilderness can be especially confusing, which is why people wind up THINKING they are walking in a straight line, but actually walk in circles. Again, just stay put.

But the most interesting tidbit? Generally speaking, women seem to navigate by using landmarks, while men tend to use cardinal directions (NE, SW, etc...). I find this to be true -- what do you think?

In any case, if this topic interests you, you might want to check out Ellard's new book, "You Are Here: Why We Can Find Our Way to the Moon, but Get Lost in the Mall."

And if you're going hiking and are concerned about getting lost, make sure you're always prepared with the 10 Essentials, including that ever-important compass.

Waiting for Blood While Hoping to Live

2009-07-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Four-year-old Kate Thorton was diagnosed with leukemia in August of 2008. To help her stay alive through her chemotherapy treatments, Kate receives regular blood and platelet transfusions.

In this video, Kate's mom Susan tells the story of when she first found out her daughter had leukemia. To Susan's surprise, Kate had to wait for several hours in the hospital until enough blood was available for her daughter's first series of transfusions.

This video emphasizes the reality that the need for blood is constant. Cancer patients like Kate need regular blood and platelet transfusions in order to stay alive. Because the need is constant and because blood products have an expiration date, the blood supply must continually be replenished.

To help children like Kate and others in need of blood and platelet transfusions, please make an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit http://www.givelife.org/.

"GR8" Promise At The G8 Summit This Week

2009-07-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

The IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies), just came out with a press release on the G8 Summit* to take place July 8-10th in L'Aquila, Italy. Does that name sound familiar? Perhaps you recall the news coverage of a massive quake that centered on this Italian city just three months ago.

Amongst other critical topics, the G8 Summit promises to address global "disaster risk reduction" using the influence of major world players. I think Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it best: "Investing in risk reduction is a triple win: against poverty, against disasters and against climate change."

Be sure to follow along at the IFRC's news page.

*To me, the G8 would sound way more epic if they went by the name "The Northern Alliance." It's more geographically and politically accurate too, since China and India aren't allowed in their club.

Graphic courtesy of un.org

Ready Radio Interview: We Grill The NFPA’s “Principal Gas Engineer” About Grill Safety

2009-07-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

With summer in full swing, we’re betting that you’ve pulled out the grill at least once or twice. But firing it up doesn’t have to mean burning the house down.

From checking hoses for spiders to cleaning off any squirrel residue, Ted Lemoff - Principal Gas Engineer with the National Fire Protection Agency - gave us great tips for safe summer grilling. You’ll find out the different dangers of propane vs. charcoal; how to get your briquettes lit (hint: not with gasoline); and how to tell when your ashes are safe for disposal.

The grilling expert even revealed his favorite food to BBQ, which ISN’T a hamburger or hot dog. You’ll have to listen to an upcoming episode of Ready Radio to find out the answer!

Give A Day, Get A Night

2009-07-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

Here at the Red Cross, we're all about rewarding volunteerism. As you might know, more than 90% of our workforce is volunteers and we couldn't accomplish just about anything that we do without their invaluable help.

We've got volunteer nurses and psychologists and graphic designers and photographers and accountants and instructors and data entry specialists and receptionists and folks willing to get up in the wee hours of the night to do help out at a housefire.

In short, our volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization.

And honestly, with all the work they do, they could probably use a break. A quick getaway to, say, play golf in Arizona. Or visit the zoo in San Diego. Or just head to a classy hotel in downtown Portland for the night.

I tell you this because the nice folks at Sage Hospitality are rewarding volunteers all over the country with a "Give A Day, Get A Night" offer. Just put in 8 hours of community service (and we know our volunteers do a LOT more than that) and get a free night's stay or a 50% discount.

Whether you're a current volunteer or interested in becoming one, I love the idea of room service for community service. Nice!

P.S. For those of you who are disaster responders, I've asked if Red Crossers are eligible for the "Half Price For Heroes" special. I'll let you know what I hear!

Ready Radio Interview: Atmospheric Scientist Cliff Mass On Unpredictable Northwest Storms and Modeling Weather on Mars with Carl Sagan

2009-07-06T15:47:00.001-07:00

If you thought the weather in the Northwest was too mild or boring - think again! I just finished interviewing University of Washington Professor of Atmospheric Sciences, Cliff Mass for an upcoming episode of Ready Radio. (Remember me telling you about the book he wrote?)

He talked about some crazy storms in our neck of the woods - and I mean “wipe out a whole town” kind of crazy.

And this man knows weird weather. He once worked with Carl Sagan on weather modeling for Mars!

My interview with Professor Mass will air on an upcoming podcast, but in the meantime you can start your atmospheric education with his storm prediction slide show for The Seattle Times , his blog or his weather forecasts for Puget Sound Public Radio KUOW.