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.

"Proud to Be"

You're going to be seeing a lot of the American Red Cross around Western New York soon!  At a reception last night here at our beautiful Clement Mansion headquarters, our friends from the Blood Services Region kicked off their "Proud to Be" campaign, designed to raise awareness of the unique contributions the Red Cross makes in this community. The campaign will run throughout 2012 and highlights 35 Erie and Niagara County residents who work with and support the American Red Cross.

"It's a very good time to remember those who have been there through the good and the bad, and for the past 100 years, the American Red Cross has remained a steadfast member of the Western New York community," said Kay E. Schwartz, CEO, American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region.

Western New Yorkers residents joined representatives from the Blood Services Region and this Chapter here last night to enjoy uniquely Buffalo foods (the beef-on-weck and home-baked desserts were especially delicious!) while several "Proud to Be" campaign participants spoke about their experiences with the Red Cross.  We also got a sneak-peak at the "I am Buffalo, I am the Red Cross" materials you'll be seeing on billboards, at bus stations, and in the media throughout the coming months.  The pictures and testimonials are an amazing testament to the long-standing commitment of the Red Cross in Western New York, and we're excited to see that message spread that message throughout the area.

This campaign focuses on our Blood Services Region, but we're "Proud to Be" Western New Yorkers here at the Chapter as well, and we look forward to working together as One Red Cross to continue providing life-saving services to this incredible community!

It's Deja Vu All Over Again

That famous line from baseball great Yogi Berra may make you chuckle, but what's happening in Alabama right now is no laughing matter. 

Photo courtesy montgomeryadvertiser.com

For the second time in less than a year, the Red Cross is setting up relief operations after multiple tornadoes touched down across several states overnight.  Much of the damage is being reported in areas of Alabama that were devastated by deadly tornadoes just last spring.

As always, Western New Yorkers stepped up to help during the massive spring storms in 2011, but now those in one of the hardest hit areas are dealing with the devastation again.  In fact, because of this weekend's storms, officials had to reschedule a Monday meeting to receive a report on the response to the storms last spring.

It has to be hard for residents who were just starting to piece things together to have them ripped apart by yet another tornado.  When the Red Cross says we are helping "turn heartbreak into hope," this is what we're talking about.  A warm meal or a place to spend the night may be the most important thing to some Alabama residents right now, and you can help provide that with a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief.  We appreciate your support, but not as much as your neighbors in need will!