You're Making Us Proud Portland.

The Portland Red Cross received an incredible gift to help us celebrate the first day of Red Cross Month!

See the photo to the right? That's not just another cluttered desk - each slip of paper (blurred for privacy) in this massive stack represents a person's commitment to donating blood or platelets, getting trained in CPR/1st Aid, volunteering for disaster relief, providing financial assistance, or a combination of these lifesaving actions.

This overwhelming response came as a result of two recent outreach events in the city. Wow.

To all of you Portlanders who have a long history of supporting us, are just recently commiting to help or are considering that first step in making a difference for those in need, we thank you.

Saving. Giving. Living. Join In.

Winter Storm Update, Monday January 23, 2012

Downtown business are protected from flood waters with sandbags in Scio, Thursday. A new storm system is expected to arrive tomorrow. AP Photo

The American Red Cross is continuing its around-the-clock humanitarian efforts to provide assistance to families and communities impacted by the recent storms. We are preparing for the next round of storms, expected to begin impacting the Oregon coast and Coast Range tomorrow.

We are working closely with emergency managers and local government officials to anticipate where our help may be needed.

Heavy rain and high winds are expected to begin hitting the Oregon coast tomorrow (Tuesday) and could cause a new round of flooding in coastal communities and the Coast Range.

We are also watching for severe winter weather in the Columbia Gorge, where we opened a shelter last week (Hood River).

Nine (9) shelters with teams are on standby and will open if needed. Shelter locations are in Clackamas,Columbia, Tillamook, Clatsop, and Lincoln counties.

Over 100 Red Cross staffers deployed last week through the weekend and many are still in the field.

50 Red Cross sites across the state have been stocked with supplies for immediate response.

The Red Cross Emergency Operations Center has been active since Wednesday afternoon. We are currently assessing potential future needs in the affected areas for supplies and/or shelters.

SUPPORT THE RED CROSS
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

You can help people affected by disasters, like the recent storms and flooding, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

Contributions may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Click here to make a donation.

Red Cross also needs blood donations...
Severe weather in the state has disrupted blood donations. If you have an appointment to donate blood, please don't forget to come by, or if you would like to sign up to donate, go to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.

RED CROSS SAFE AND WELL
During an emergency, letting your family know that you are safe can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. If you are affected by the flood, register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Website accessible at www.redcross.org.

The Safe and Well Website allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being.

For those who do not have internet access, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.

Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.

A resolution that's easy to keep... and gives you instant gratification!

The new year is a time for making resolutions, and it's time to resolve to help those in need by making a tax-deductible donation to the Red Cross before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.

"Many people make charitable contributions at the end of the year as part of their holiday tradition, and the Red Cross depends on these donations to provide hope, help and compassion," said Maree Wacker, Chief Executive Officer of the Oregon Red Cross. "Nationally, donations in December account for about 20 percent of all non-disaster contributions from the public to the Red Cross."

"In Oregon, thousands of volunteers in local chapters of the Red Cross touched the lives of almost 140,000 people in the state, with disaster relief, support for military families and training in life-saving and preparedness skills," said Wacker. "Thousands of Oregonians also rolled up their sleeves and gave blood, helping the Red Cross provide more than 90% of Oregon's blood supply."

You can give something that means something before the New Year, by donating at www.oregonredcross.org, or by giving a tax deductible gift by check, or by phone at (503) 284-1234.

Stumped On A Gift?

Do you have an "impossible-to-read" family member or friend on your holiday shopping list? Instead of just forking out some cash, take the advice of Miss Oregon Caroline McGowan, who is inspiring people around the state with her platform of community resilience and preparedness through the Red Cross.

Pictured above, Caroline spent yesterday grabbing emergency kit materials and safety gear from our store as gifts for her sorority sisters (who I hope aren't reading this).

EVERYONE benefits from the gift of disaster supplies. The unthinkable could happen at any time, and you show your friends and family you care by adding to their home, car and "go" kits - gifts that keep on giving the whole year round!

So when you're making a list and checking it twice, be sure to borrow from our lists as well!

A little Blog-Love for an Incomparable Three

On Monday in Lake Oswego, a fair at a retirement community represented an extraordinary collaboration between three parties I greatly respect.

Party #1: The American Red Cross
Now I’m a bit biased to the Red Cross, but what’s making me so proud today is the wonderful work of a dynamite volunteer named Vicky Leslie. Her commitment to helping the community is evident as she has worked to bring Red Cross services to a wider audience. This is the third event at this location that she has planned and lead. She is awesome!

Party #2: Carman Oaks Senior Living Community
Disaster Preparedness is important for every segment of the population, but so few communities actually take steps towards empowerment. The management at Carman Oaks has graciously hosted us in several well attended activities for their residents, including discussions on how to prepare for disasters. Few groups are as open to the ongoing conversation that is disaster preparedness. Clearly, Carman Oaks really cares about the health of its residents.

Party #3: Back T Pack
This is a company doing something new. Marilyn Miller von Foerster is a physical therapist, dedicated to her field. Through her work, which focuses on prevention rather than treatment, she is an innovator in health and has now entered the arena of disaster preparedness. At Monday’s fair at Carman Oaks she offered one of her ergonomic packs as a door prize and we filled it with some Red Cross disaster supplies. The wonderful lady who won now has a disaster kit she can manage in an emergency. Thank you Back T Pack for making disaster prep a lot easier.




left to right: Marilyn Miller von Foerster, the lucky winner, and Vicky Leslie




To learn more please click any of the following:
Oregon Red Cross
Carmen Oaks
Back T Pack

UO Ducks Win the Civil War Blood Drive Competition

Final Civil War Blood Drive Score: Ducks 3,416 – Beavers 3,173

The ten-year anniversary of the Civil War Blood Drive was a fierce competition this year and the numbers show how close the pursuit was to capture the annual trophy and bragging rights. The final numbers show that the University of Oregon Ducks prevailed with a 243 point difference. The Ducks had 3,416 blood drive ballots cast, the Oregon State University Beavers came in very close with 3,173 ballots entered.

For the second year in a row, the Ducks have been victorious in the Civil War Blood Drive. To view the full history of the blood drive campaign, visit civilwarblooddrive.com. The need for blood is constant; and it is especially important to have an ample supply during the winter season. For those wanting to help hospital patients by donating blood, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to schedule your appointment. If you would like to make an appointment to donate platelets at the Clark County, Portland, or the Richland, Washington donor centers, please call 1-800-787-9691.

It is important to remember that the real winners of this healthy competition are hospital patients who are in need of blood and platelet transfusions throughout the year. Many people helped to facilitate making our ten-year Civil War Blood Drive anniversary a success. To all those who partnered, created, volunteered, promoted, supported, collected or gave blood and platelets, we are exceedingly thankful for your support.

Duck and Beaver Fans: A Second Way To Win Big!

Do you log on to OregonLive.com to catch up on news, weather, entertainment and most importantly....sports? This year, OregonLive continues as a sponsor for our 10th Anniversary Civil War Blood Drive...and offers you, the dedicated donors, a second way to win big!

Log on to OregonLive.com today and you'll notice that the front page is filled with OSU orange and UO green!

Follow the link to contests.oregonlive.com/cwblooddrive for a second way to win tickets to the game, $100 gift cards for OSU/UO gear and more! ...and don't forget to donate blood or platelets so you can truly say you "bleed orange" or "bleed green" for your team.

10th Anniversary Civil War Blood Drive Starts Tomorrow!

Rivals for Life - Do You Bleed Orange or Green?

Oregon State University and the University of Oregon Alumni Associations’ “Rivals for Life” Civil War Blood Drive will celebrate its ten-year anniversary this football season!

The annual football themed campaign does more than score points on the field —it helps save lives. Once again, both universities will unite for a common cause—the Statewide Civil War Blood Drive will run November 3 through November 19, 2011 and is sponsored by Oregon State University and University of Oregon Alumni Associations, and OregonLive.com.

Be sure to sign a “Civil War Blood Drive Ballot” when you come in to donate at any participating blood drive across the state of Oregon. The ballot will enter you in a drawing for one of several pairs of 2011 Civil War game tickets, a $100 certificate to the Ducks or Beavers store, or a Civil War party package!

During its ten-year history, fans, students, and alumni of both schools have seen nearly 60,000 presenting blood and platelet donors (8,385 in 2010) to help hospital patients during the two-week drive. The campaign helps ensure that medical needs of families and friends here and across the nation can be met during the winter months.

It is imperative to keep our blood supply ready and available—when and where it is needed. The blood collected during the Civil War Blood Drive helps bolster supplies at a time when holiday events distract us from regular blood donation. Unfortunately, illnesses and injuries requiring blood transfusion do not take a break for the holiday season and hospital patients still need blood.

Please schedule a donation on behalf of either the Ducks or the Beavers at any blood drive, statewide, between November 3 –19, 2011 by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or in Lane County, call Lane Blood Center at 541-484-9111 or search for local drives at CivilWarBloodDrive.com. This is an ideal opportunity for any fan to make a tangible difference in the Civil War football rivalry.

OTC Nurse Donna Jensen, PhD, RN earns Ann Magnussen Award

This year’s winner of the prestigious Ann Magnussen Award is our very own OTC volunteer Donna Jensen, PhD RN. In her 11 years as a volunteer she has become a Red Cross Health Services leader on both a State and National level. Gail McGovern will present the award to her today in Washington D.C.

The Ann Magnussen Award is presented to a volunteer registered nurse who has made an outstanding contribution to strengthening or improving American Red Cross programs and services. It is the highest honor of nursing achievement in the American Red Cross

Donna’s achievements are truly incredible. She has recruited and trained more than 50 nurses for the Red Cross and has been deployed herself on more than 18 disaster operations (including 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina). She also teaches classes throughout the state and across the country. As put so well by her nominator Janet Bailey, “In addition to formal classes, and sometimes even more important than her formal teaching, Donna stands out as a mentor to novice and expert nurses. She uses her calm demeanor and extensive teaching experience to help nurses and others to creatively think through difficult situations and problem solve during crisis and quieter times.”

As a tireless volunteer Donna is always ready to tackle the next challenge. She is an incredible role model to her fellow nurses and to all volunteers. “Through her compassion, leadership and integrity, Donna has inspired many, past and present and leaves a sustainable legacy for the future”, said Janet Bailey.

We think Clara Barton would be proud – we know we are!

All hail the new Prophet of Doom in Oregon!

There's an awesome article by Bruce Barcott in the October issue of Outside Magazine called "TOTALLY PSYCHED FOR THE FULL-RIP NINE", about a Cascadia earthquake and its effects at the coast in Oregon and Washington.

Pat Corcoran with Oregon Sea Grant, who is the "star" of the story has come up with the best line ever... It's so good that I need to hand off the title of Prophet of Doom to him. Here's what Pat says in the article about being at the coast when THE FULL-RIP NINE starts shaking:

“When that earthquake hits, it’s going to shake for a long time,” says Corcoran. “Three to five minutes or more. You’re going to feel lucky to survive. Then guess what. You rode out the quake? Congratulations. Now you have 15 minutes to get above 50 feet of ele­vation. Fifteen minutes. You’re elderly and not very mobile? Sorry. Your condition does not change the geologic facts. It’s called a tsu­nami. The water’s coming. It can’t be stopped. Don’t ask Jesus to save you. Be your own Jesus.”

All hail the new Prophet! The only problem I've got with the article is the estimates of fatalities and loss. In my humble opinion, they are way, way too low. Take what Bruce writes at the end of the article about deaths and costs (679 tsunami related fatalities, $30 billion in damage) and multiply by 10.

BTW, the photos above are of emergency management personnel holding on for dear life on the roof of their 4 story Operations Center in Minamisanriku, Japan during the tsunami on March 11th. 9 of the 25 people who used the roof as a vertical evacuation shelter survived (after is the top pic, during below). I'll show the full sequence of these slides at the upcoming Oregon Emergency Management Association annual conference.

Good to Give, Good to Go! Don't Miss Out!

Help Fuel the Blood Supply and Get a Chance to Win a $100 Gas Card!

Red Cross to Hold $100 Gas Card Drawings Daily until September 30

The American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region will be giving away a $100 gas card EVERY DAY through the rest of the month--that’s $1,000 in free gas.

The promotion ends on September 30, 2011, so there's still time to participate in this awesome deal! All blood and platelet donors who present to donate at any American Red Cross donor center or mobile blood drive throughout Oregon and Washington will be entered in a daily drawing for a $100 gas card.*

“At a time when gas prices are nearly $4.00 a gallon, we’re pleased to reward donors with a chance to win a gas card and fill their tank on us,” said region CEO Steve Stegeman.

For more information, or to schedule your donation, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org

* Must be 18 years of age to participate in drawings.