Disasters come in all sizes

Photo Courtesy ottawacitizen.com

Our thoughts are currently with our friends north of the border, as the Canadian Red Cross is responding to yesterday's derailment of a Via Rail passenger train headed from Niagara Falls to Toronto. Unfortunately, we here in Western New York have some experience with transit disasters, having opened reception centers and provided counsellors following the February 2009 crash of Flight 3407. Three years later, we continue to support the families who lost loved ones that day.

Much like that tragic event in Clarence Center, yesterday's fatal rail accident is receiving a lot of coverage in both the Canadian and local media. On our Facebook page yesterday, however, a fan commented that a fire our volunteers responded to in Buffalo this weekend never made the news. That's often the case with a single family house fire, especially when everyone is fortunate enough to get out safely. However, just because you don't see it in the media doesn't mean that they're any less traumatic for those who suddenly lost everything and may have no place to stay.

The Red Cross is proud to be the organization people turn to in times of need, whether the media is there to tell the story or not. However, as Nettie pointed out in her Facebook comments, we need our volunteers and other supporters in order to perform our mission. Red Cross Month starts on Thursday, so this is a great time to consider joining us so you can be the one helping turn heartbreak into hope the next time a disaster, "large" or "small", hits Western New York.

We "heart" President's Day

Many of us are looking forward to a long weekend as the nation honors George Washington and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays with the President's Day holiday on Monday.  Our current president recently made a proclamation that may just inspire you to do something for the heart this holiday.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, killing an estimated 630,000 Americans each year. Of course, it's important that we all take steps to lead healthier lives and reduce our risk of heart disease, things like exercising, eating healthy and not smoking.  But what if after taking these steps, a loved one or co-worker suffered a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest? Would you know what to do to maybe save their life?  This blog recently featured a story about an entire school taking CPR/AED training after a student lost her life following a heart attack, and our upcoming Annual Report will include the story of a life saved because others had taken the time to learn these vital skills. 

President Obama may have declared February to be American Heart Month, but we here at the Red Cross offer this life-saving training year-round.  A full schedule of classes is available online, or you can bring one of our instructors to your school, business or other organization--contact Jill Gregory at jill.gregory@redcross.org for more information.  I think our Founding Fathers would approve.

A sobering reminder...

One of the first things I do when coming into the office each morning is search the local media websites for mentions of the Red Cross.  Doing so is also a great way for this former TV news employee to get his local news fix, and sometimes I stumble upon something that really brings the Red Cross mission home even when the story doesn't mention us at all.  Today was one of those days.

This feature story by Channel 2 News is both heartbreaking and eye-opening.  As a father myself, I cannot imagine the pain Annette must feel over the loss of Emily Rose, and I am amazed by her strength and determination to help other families avoid a similar tragedy.  Stories like this are a sobering reminder of why we encourage everyone learn how to save life by taking CPR/AED training.  When you receive our Annual Report in the coming weeks, you'll have the opportunity to read about one of our first aid instructors who feels his own life was saved because the staff at his gym had been properly trained.

The piece that led me to write this blog post mentions another non-profit organization and their push for legislation requiring CPR/AED training in all schools. The Red Cross is not a government organization, but we think everyone-not just high school students-should learn how to save a life, and we offer a wide range of CPR/AED, first aid and water safety classes.  You can find the right class for you and register all online.  The Red Cross can also come to your school, business or organization to train your staff on site.  For more information, please contact Jill Gregory at jill.gregory@redcross.org. If you need a reason to do so, just imagine if Emily Rose was your child.

It's February...Everybody in the pool!!

OK, this winter's been wonderfully mild, but it's not exactly pool weather. So imagine the excitement some students in Niagara County must have felt when presented with the opportunity to dive into the water while doing something to help out their neighbors in need!

Swim-A-Cross at Gaskill Prep in Niagara Falls

Yesterday, the kids at Gaskill Prep in Niagara Falls took their turn at the 31st annual Swim-A-Cross.  13 students collected pledges from their friends and family, then under the supervision of P.E. teacher Mr. Lozina, hit the school pool and swam as many laps as they could, and were replenished with a little snack afterwards. You could see how excited the kids were to be able to do some swimming during these long winter months, and it was neat to see their reactions when Development Associate Emily Shafer explained to them how their efforts help others.

The swimmers also get a little something for themselves; those that raise between $25-$74.99 will receive a commemorative t-shirt, with those earning $75 or more receiving a commemorative "hoodie" sweatshirt, both featuring the 2012 Swim-A-Cross logo designed by Niagara Falls High School art student Adrianna Van Hyfte.

Gaskill Prep is just one of the schools taking part in this long-standing tradition.  Channel 2 and the Niagara Gazette both recently featured Emily Lauzonis, a fourth-grader at Lew-Port Intermediate who raised an amazing $1,100 to benefit the Red Cross, and faculty and staff at several other schools are currently planning their Swim-A-Cross events.  In all, the Swim-A-Cross raises nearly $20,000 annually to support the life-saving mission of the American Red Cross, Serving Erie & Niagara Counties.  If you'd like to learn more about how to be a part of this wet-'n-wild fundraiser, please contact Emily Shafer at emily.shafer@redcross.org.