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.”

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

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. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

AFGHANISTAN: Over the last couple of weeks, the Afghan Red Crescent Society, with the support of the IFRC, has helped almost 2,000 families in Kabul through the coldest winter for 15 years by distributing blankets and clothes. Hundreds of people have been returning to Kabul from Pakistan and conflict affected areas, setting up in makeshift unheated tents.

HAITI: More than two years after a devastating earthquake demolished thousands of homes in Haiti, up to half a million vulnerable people are estimated to still be living in camps. A majority of these were renters before the quake and with limited income generating activities available many people have no way of affording their rent now. To support people to leave the camps the IFRC is providing resettlement grants with a series of different options for families to choose from, such as receiving rental support or moving assistance.

SENEGAL: In the run up to elections in Senegal, social unrest gripped areas of the nation and put the Senegalese Red Cross on stand-by with 98 rapid response teams comprised of 686 first-aid volunteers. 153 people were assisted during pre-election demonstrations, mostly for minor injuries with 44 sent to local hospitals for further attention.

CYPRUS: During a meeting last week the ICRC decided to recognize the Cyprus Red Cross Society as the 188th National Society. In accordance with the Cyprus Red Cross Law of 1967, it acts as an auxiliary to the national authorities of the Republic of Cyprus in the humanitarian field and plays a central role in disaster preparedness and disaster response.


GLOSSARY:

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

PHOTO:
Afghan Red Crescent Society distributed clothes and blankets to almost vulnerable and snow affected families in Kabul

Oregon Red Cross Helps More than 35 People Displaced by Fires Last Week

On Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 2:24pm, Oregon Red Cross volunteers responded to a two-alarm multiple family apartment fire, affecting ten units, 22 people and two pets. Red Cross provided assistance of shelter, food, clothing, comfort kits, blankets, and medication needs to families from seven of the units.

The Rolling Hills Community Church was identified as an overnight shelter; a TriMet bus provided evacuation staging for the residents. Red Cross volunteers arranged dinner for all the displaced residents with donated food from California Pizza Kitchen of Tigard. The Oregon Red Cross continues to work with the apartment complex management to identify vacant units, and help those displaced with short and long-term recovery issues.

House fires are devastating for families and the Red Cross responds to these more often than any other emergency. Oregon Red Cross volunteers responded to four home fires and two multi-unit apartment fires in Oregon over the past week. They provided humanitarian assistance to a total of 34 adults, three children and four pets displaced by these fires.

"The volunteers came over really quick; I didn't call," said Tom P. "I didn't even have a toothbrush anymore; I had nothing. But they supplied me with all the necessary stuff a person needs right off the bat. They offered me money, food, a place to stay. They were just so good it was unbelievable. I can't say enough about them." Red Cross assistance during the week included an evacuation shelter near one of the apartment units, immediate lodging, food, clothing, comfort kits, help with replacing medication, medical supplies and mental health services.

All services are always offered free of charge, as part of the Red Cross mission to provide relief to victims of catastrophe. "Being displaced by fire is already scary enough," said Maree Wacker, Regional Executive of the Oregon Red Cross. "In those moments, when a person or family most needs help, the Red Cross is there."

A Celebration of Local Heroes at Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions

March is Red Cross month and the Oregon Red Cross will be honoring local heroes who have displayed courage and compassion at our March 6th Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. This event, which is the Oregon Red Cross' largest fundraiser of the year, celebrates the mission of the American Red Cross; the idea that we can all be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

Chelsea Carpenter first learned CPR when she was in 7th grade, but fortunately her training didn’t stop there. Two months after renewing her certification, Chelsea heard a woman calling for help. The woman’s mother had collapsed in her car while parked in the lot of a local market.

Chelsea ran to where bystanders had carried the distressed woman. Emergency responders were called, and after a quick assessment of the victim, Chelsea began CPR.

EMT’s arrived and took over, but Chelsea wasn’t through. She comforted the victim’s distressed daughter, walked her to the ambulance, retrieved the two women’s belongings from their car and offered to call someone to meet the daughter at the hospital.

Chelsea is our hero because she exemplifies American Red Cross mission to offer not only material support, but emotional comfort as well.

In Oregon, the Red Cross responds to an emergency once every 16 hours - but the Red Cross does much more than respond to disasters. We train everyday people in lifesaving skills. We assist members of the military and their families. We provide transportation to essential appointments for the elderly and disabled. We provide warming centers in response to particularly cold nights in the winter. We educate the community about emergency preparedness. And we reconnect families separated by war or disaster.

Each year, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions features an interactive theme. This year, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions will highlight the awesome power of natural disasters and the role of the Red Cross in responding to them.

When you arrive at the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions, you will find yourself physically immersed in episodes of tornado, earthquake, wildfire and floods, and witness Red Cross efforts to shelter, feed and care for Oregonians displaced by these disasters. Arrive early to give yourself time to explore this multimedia experience. Then enjoy breakfast and a heartfelt celebration; marvel at the touching stories of local heroes as we honor them for their acts of compassion, bravery, excellence and selflessness.

These individuals are the beacons of hope many see in their most desperate hours. And that’s what this event is all about -- celebrating those who would put aside their own needs to come to the aid of others.

Please join us at the 2012 Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. Contact Tracy Madsen at 503-528-5692 for information regarding attending this charitable event.

Jack Jewsbury to be Honored at Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions

Following the devastating tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri on May 22, Jack Jewsbury and the Portland Timbers partnered with the American Red Cross to assist in fundraising. Jack, a Joplin native, still has close family in that area, some of whom were directly affected by the costliest single tornado in U.S. history. The official death total from the tornado was 160; 990 people were injured. Emergency managers reported damage to 75% of Joplin. In total, nearly 7,000 homes were destroyed and over 850 others were damaged. It has been estimated that it will cost 3 billion dollars to re-build.

Jack and the Timbers rallied fans to donate money for Red Cross disaster relief through a mobile text-in campaign and with a request for in-stadium donations during the club’s May 29, 2011 match.

Utilizing their “Stand Together” community outreach platform, Jack, the Timbers, and their legion of fans helped to raise over $11,000 for the American Red Cross’s disaster relief efforts in Joplin, greatly surpassing the nearly $7,000 they raised for Japan earlier in 2011.

March is Red Cross month, and the Oregon Red Cross will be honoring Jack and the Portland Timbers, along with other local heroes who have displayed courage and compassion, at our upcoming Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. This event celebrates the mission of the American Red Cross; the idea that we can all be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It is the Oregon Red Cross' largest fundraiser of the year; if you would like to attend, contact Tracy Madsen at 503-528-5692.

In Oregon, the Red Cross responds to an emergency once every 16 hours - but the Red Cross does much more than respond to disasters. We train everyday people in lifesaving skills. We assist members of the military and their families. We provide transportation to essential appointments for the elderly and disabled. We provide warming centers in response to particularly cold nights in the winter. We educate the community about emergency preparedness. And we reconnect families separated by war or disaster. This year, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions will highlight the awesome power of natural disasters and the role of the Red Cross in responding to them.

When you arrive at the  Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions on Tuesday, March 6th, you will find yourself physically immersed in these episodes of tornado, earthquake, wildfire and floods, and witness Red Cross efforts to shelter, feed and care for Oregonians displaced by these disasters. Arrive early to give yourself time to explore this multimedia experience. Then enjoy a breakfast and a heartfelt celebration; marvel at the touching stories of local heroes as we honor them for their acts of compassion, bravery, excellence and selflessness.

These individuals are the beacons of hope many see in their most desperate hours. And that’s what this event is all about -- celebrating those who would put aside their own needs to come to the aid of others. Join us at the 2012 Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. Please contact Tracy Madsen at 503-528-5692 regarding attending this charitable event.

The Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions: Meet Local Heroes

Blood drives at high schools don’t take place during the summer break, but summer vacation didn’t stop David Douglas high school from saving lives. The school responded to an invitation from the ‘Red For Life’ program by bringing their entire football team into Portland during summer 2011.

Thirty-six players presented to donate blood, 35 of whom were first-time donors. Coaches and other students joined in. The football team plans to issue a challenge to other high schools for summer 2012, to encourage them to share in this rewarding experience and to spread the word about the importance of blood donations.

The Oregon Red Cross will honor these and other heroes who have displayed courage and compassion in their actions at our upcoming Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions. This event celebrates the mission of the American Red Cross; the idea that we can all be a part of something bigger than ourselves. This event is the Oregon Red Cross' largest fundraiser of the year. If you would like to attend, please contact Tracy Madsen at 503-528-5692.

In Oregon, the Red Cross responds to an emergency once every 16 hours - but the Red Cross does much more than respond to disasters. We train everyday people in lifesaving skills. We assist members of the military and their families. We provide transportation to essential appointments for the elderly and disabled. We provide warming centers in response to particularly cold nights in the winter. We educate the community about emergency preparedness. And we reconnect families separated by war or disaster.

Each year, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions features an interactive theme that draws you in to experience first-hand what it is like to be helped by the compassionate volunteers of the Oregon Red Cross. This year, the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions will highlight the awesome power of natural disasters and the role of the Red Cross in responding to them.

When you arrive at the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions on Tuesday, March 6th, you find yourself physically immersed in these episodes of tornado, earthquake, wildfire and floods, and witness Red Cross efforts to shelter, feed and care for Oregonians displaced by them. Arrive early to give yourself time to explore this multimedia experience. Then enjoy a breakfast and a heartfelt celebration; marvel at the touching stories of real-life heroes as we honor them for their acts of compassion, bravery, excellence and selflessness.

These individuals are the beacons of hope many see in their most desperate hours. And that’s what this event is all about -- celebrating those who would put aside their own needs to aid others.

Please join us at the 2012 Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions, our biggest fundraiser of the year. Contact Tracy Madsen at 503-528-5692 regarding attending this charitable event.

National Geographic Article Features Tsunamis and Pacific Northwest

Posted in National Geographic Magazine February Edition 2012

Article: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/02/tsunami/folger-text

What makes this article a must-read?

This article interviews Kerry Sieh the Director of Earth Observatory in Singapore. Sieh is world’s famous paleoseismologists. He highlights his top three areas of concern for Tsunamis activity in the future. They extend from the Manilla Trench in the Phillipines, to the Sunda Megathrust in Singapore, and most directly the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 600 mile long fault line that runs from Northern California to Bristish Columbia.

Is the Cascadia Subduction Zone really a priority?

According the article, studies of seafloor sediment traced up and down the Pacific Northwest Coast suggest that earthquakes consistently taken place there every 250 to 500 years.
Additionally, when it does rupture scientist believe it will be as large as the Japan Tsunami and will reach the coast in 20 minutes.

What does this mean for you and how can the Red Cross help?

While we can’t control the timing of natural disasters we do have control over our level of preparedness. The Oregon Red Cross offers community preparedness presentations or what is known as Together We Prepare.

Typically these presentations last about 1 hour but they can be tailored depending on the needs of the audience. They cover natural disasters in depth and how to make a 72 hour survival kit. By taking these steps, you’ll be able to respond safely and with confidence in a variety of emergency situations. Simple steps that can ultimately save lives.