March is Red Cross Month!

March is ‘Red Cross Month’, as first proclaimed in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since that time, every president, including President Obama, has designated March as ‘Red Cross Month’. The American Red Cross uses this time to communicate the range of its services to the public, and for fundraising. How did this tradition come about? Read more about the history of Red Cross Month. The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 emergencies and disasters every year in the U.S., providing shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected. It provides 24-hour help to victims of house fires across the country. It also offers 24-hour assistance to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military bases around the world. Finally, it collects and distributes more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains more than 9 million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills each year. This month, the American Red Cross is asking everyone to help those in need by contributing to the lifesaving services it provides. “Red Cross Month is a great time for people to aid our mission. Their kindness and generosity will enable us to continue our work, both here at home and across the globe,” said Maree Wacker, Regional Executive of the Oregon Red Cross. The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping the people the Red Cross services. Regardless of nationality, political beliefs, religious background or anything else, the Red Cross is there for everyone. In this year’s proclamation, Obama encourages “all Americans to support this organization’s noble humanitarian mission.” “Please remember those who need our help by making a donation, becoming a volunteer, taking a class, or giving blood,” Wacker said. “When you do, know that you are part of a movement that exists around the world, created to help all people.”

The Red Cross Has Redesigned Its Logo!

The American Red Cross officially unveiled its new logo last Thursday, featuring the iconic Red Cross in a button, to symbolize the personal investment of volunteers, employees and supporters in the Red Cross mission. The Red Cross, one of the world’s most recognized and trusted brands, has historically represented hope, safety on the battlefield, and care in crisis.

This new look is designed to reflect the organization as it is today: modern, authentic and innovative. The updated identity is meant to appeal to both long-time Red Cross supporters and an entirely new generation of volunteers and donors, eager to show their affiliation with the organization. This presentation of the Red Cross logo is similar to the lapel pins and buttons worn by Red Cross supporters in the early part of the 20th century.

While most people think of disaster relief and blood donation when they think of the Red Cross, the updated brand identity is meant to invite people to learn more about the organization and its mission.”We want to show more people how they can be part of a Red Cross that intersects with their lives in many ways,” said Peggy Dyer, chief marketing officer of the Red Cross. “We’re proud of both our history and our future. We look forward to telling our story to a wider audience and the new brand identity is an important step in that process.”

The American Red Cross will continue to roll out its new look when it debuts a redesigned corporate website later this year. The new site will feature the logo button, updated graphics and an enhanced use of photography. It will also feature user-generated content to allow individuals to share their Red Cross experiences.

The American Red Cross is currently developing a public-service ad campaign that will feature stories of people whose lives have been touched by the Red Cross mission.

Speaking of Super Bowl Ads...Awesome Job Neymarc Brothers!

A HUGE congrats to our award-winning friends at Neymarc Visuals, who, before creating their hilarious Super Bowl commercial for Dannon (earning them the title of "Youngest Ever Directors in Super Bowl Ad History"), filmed two incredible pro-bono ads to encourage blood donors at the Red Cross. Vote for their Super Bowl ad and support these hardworking brothers...and watch their Red Cross videos below!

MOFILM 1st Place Winner: "You Save"

MOFILM 2nd Place Winner: "SuperHero"

For more information on these outstanding artists, visit Neymarc Visuals on their website and become a fan of their Facebook page.

Superstars of the Civil War Blood Drive

Students Shahnaz Mooney and Sarah Lowe prove that “leadership is life” with their volunteer efforts

Of the millions of lifesaving blood donations made each year to the Red Cross, almost 20 percent come from high school and college drives. Two dedicated students have taken this statistic to heart. Shahnaz Mooney, from the University of Oregon, and Sarah Lowe, from Oregon State University, attend schools engaged in one of the nation’s oldest rivalries dating back to 1894.

These two volunteers have spent the past few years coming together to bring that 117-year-old competition, known as the “Civil War,” to the playing field of campus blood drives. With the statewide Civil War Blood Drive completing its tenth anniversary in 2011, fans, students, and alumni have spent over a decade donating more than 66,500 units of blood and platelets on behalf of the Beavers or Ducks.

On the campuses alone, OSU continually earns the title of largest single event blood drive for the region and participation at UO has climbed four-fold to match the challenge. Whether fans bleed green or orange, the real winners of the competition are hospital patients in need of transfusions during the winter months.

Many people help facilitate the success of these drives, yet without passionate student leaders like Sarah and Shahnaz, these numbers simply wouldn’t be possible. The Red Cross coordinates with these volunteers through their campus Blood Drive Association (BDA). With several hundred donors attending the drives, the BDA provides the publicity, volunteer training, and recognition efforts that connect the campus with the importance of donating blood.

“I’ve always really wanted to donate,” Shahnaz exclaims, “but because of deferrals from travel and the minimum weight criteria, I’ve always volunteered instead!”

Evidence of both students’ altruism began when they were much younger. Sarah embarked on her philanthropic path to volunteering as early as six years old, baking cookies at her church blood drives. She continued her efforts through blood drives at Newberg High School.

“The first time I gave blood was at my OSU orientation,” Sarah recalls. “The school energy surrounding the drive was so exciting to be a part of.”

Sarah quickly became BDA Vice President of Publicity and Director of Greek Recruitment. Her leadership efforts have led to her current position as President of the BDA and, in spring 2010, she began serving on the Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region Board of Directors. Sarah also takes active roles with Greek life, volunteers as a sexual assault prevention educator, and holds a part-time job in the campus union.

Following a similar path, Shahnaz traced her volunteer efforts back to when she was just 14. “I actually still have a Red Cross blanket I keep nearby,” Shahnaz laughed.

She carried her volunteering experience into Sherwood High School, supporting blood drives and earning the position of Freshman Class President. She then continued to hold Associated Student Board leadership roles until she became Student Body President, capping off her high school career by delivering the introduction for graduation. She was even awarded a Red Cross scholarship for her volunteer efforts with the High School Blood Drive Challenge program.

Even in her “off days” during summer break, Shahnaz volunteered countless hours supporting the “Music Saves Lives” Warped Tour blood drives and the Celebrate Freedom drive in Portland, earning her further recognition from regional leaders of the Red Cross.

Both schools have strong reputations for bringing in donors. Shahnaz attributes this to the culture at the universities, saying that “whether the students see banners, fliers, and table tents around campus, or are enticed by Buddy the Blood Drop, they all donate for the same reasons; to assist those in need, and to show school spirit.”

Sarah agrees, stating “The trophy and blood drop mascot make it fun to participate. It was amazing to see nearly a thousand donation appointments booked by the time of the first OSU campus drive this year.”

The pair has made volunteering a lifestyle; their experience and compassion will bring future blood drives to the next level. “The drives can only get bigger,” Sarah said. “I have faith that we’ll do great things in the future.”

“Everyone involved in the drives shows genuine care,” Shahnaz said. “Any way I can help the Red Cross, I will.”

Every year, thousands of student leaders across the country organize American Red Cross blood drives at their schools. For Sarah and Shahnaz, perhaps the fact that they’re now leading blood drives at rival colleges is for the best: although close friends and former sorority sisters, with the pair’s remarkable leadership and vision, one university may not be big enough for the both of them!

Without the Red Cross, We Would Have Been Lost

In recognition of the 2nd anniversary of the Haitian earthquake, we've excerpted this powerful piece that was posted on January 10th, 2012 by Kristiana Almeida on the American Red Cross Blog. It originally came from New York’s “Changing Lives: The Story Book” Blog.

Volunteers come from many walks of life. For some, it is a chance to give back to their communities. For Francklin Morose, a volunteer with the American Red Cross on Long Island, it’s much deeper than that— as his journey began with the world literally crumbling at his feet.

Morose was at his accounting job in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, on Jan. 12, 2010—the day of the worst earthquake in the island nation’s history.

It began with a simple shake he recalled. He and his colleagues thought a big truck had driven by.
“Then,” he said, “everything started to fall down—the walls, the ceiling.”

With all the entrances blocked, Morose and his colleagues were forced to jump to the ground from a second story bathroom window. That’s when they realized an earthquake had struck.

“The whole block was dark; everything had changed,” Morose said.

He described buildings destroyed; communications disrupted; trees down; and people who were bloodied and bruised running through the streets. He made his way home and found it destroyed.

That night, Morose located his family in a park, among hundreds of others that had lost their homes.

Read more at “Changing Lives: The Story Book” Blog.

How the Red Cross is Helping

"Since January 2010, Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross have joined together to bring lasting change to families in Haiti. Today, many families left homeless by the earthquake have a safe and decent place to call home because of the commitment and hard work of our local teams. I wish to thank the American Red Cross for their partnership in bringing housing and hope to the people of Haiti." - Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer, Habitat for Humanity.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the American Red Cross is still at work in Haiti, rebuilding what the earthquake destroyed and working with local communities to make them safer and healthier. We have built homes, given people opportunities to earn money, provided access to clean water and sanitation systems, supported the delivery of health care, and taught communities how to prevent the spread of diseases and to be better prepared for future disasters. While our plans may evolve to respond to changing needs, in the coming years we will continue to help people leave camps to return to communities, and we will work to make these communities safe, healthy and vibrant.Learn more about the Red Cross response in Haiti.

Learn more about the Red Cross response.

The Stormtroopers vs. Klingons drive was OUT OF THIS WORLD!

The 2nd Annual Stormtroopers vs. Klingons blood drive was OUT OF THIS WORLD! A huge thanks to Rachel Stark at The Oregonian for writing this incredible feature, to the outstanding efforts from members of Cloud City Garrison (The 501st Legion) and Kashyyyk Base, from Starfleet International, Think Geek, KGW, KPTV, Portland Mercury, Willamette Week, PDX PIPELINE, Portland Pulp and"tweet support" from Portlandia!

But don't take it from us...follow us to @RedCrossBloodNW and see what our other "twitter critics" are saying about the sequel!

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!