570 KLIF to Present Give 'Em Shelter Benefit Concert

Wednesday, March 30, 570 KLIF will present Give 'Em Shelter Tsunami Relief Show featuring The Stoneleighs, a Rolling Stones Tribute with Point Blank and other special guests. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan. Doors open at 6:00pm and the show gets underway at 7:30pm. Chris Krok from KLIF will broadcast live from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

For more information, call (214) 978-BLUE (2583) or visit the House of Blues website.

Location:
House of Blues Dallas - Cambridge Room
White Swan Building
Dallas, TX 75202

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Families Come Together to Help Citizens of a Devastated Country Half a World Away

By Jeanne Shuffler

A family can be defined as any group of people you can count on when you need help, whether they be friends, relatives or a combination of the two. Right now, the people of Japan are in desperate need of help and hope. On Saturday, March 19th, a family, made up of kindhearted Dallas residents and the folks at Dallas/Fort Worth Spanish radio station MEGA 107.5 FM, joined the American Red Cross in answering the call for help by hosting a fundraising carwash to support relief efforts half a world away.

In the days and weeks following the Earthquake and Tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11, the American Red Cross has been working tirelessly to raise funds to provide help and hope. Just after the disasters occurred, the staff at MEGA 107.5 FM reached out to the American Red Cross to offer their help. Outside a Wendy’s in Oak Cliff on a sunny and at times, windy afternoon, the mission to raise funds for relief began. I was lucky enough to be there to see this family as they not only scrubbed cars free of dirt, but provided the same kind of restoration for the country of Japan.

When I arrived, I was immediately given a warm welcome by members of the MEGA 107.5 station and Red Cross volunteers. Greetings had to remain short and sweet, as cars were coming in droves, often with the line wrapping around the parking lot. Even when we thought we had cleared them all and could take a breather, a large lunch truck came around the corner ready for its touch-up, calling for all hands on deck.

We saw repeat customers that were also repeat donors. One gentleman came through the carwash, donated, rolled his window down a second time to tell us what a great job we were doing, and donated again. Later, the same gentleman came back with a different vehicle, and donated a third time, compelled to act as family for people half a world away who needed his help.

Looking around at the diversity of the volunteers, I was curious where they all came from. Some came from area schools where MEGA 107.5’s morning personality, Shoboy, encourages Hispanic students to stay in school and be active in their community. Some volunteers were from a local sorority and fraternity that had arranged to come and help. The rest - they just showed up.

When I asked one woman what brought her out with her young son and daughter, she mentioned they were listening to the radio at home when the kids heard about the carwash. They told her they wanted to come out to help wash the cars. Once she knew the kids weren’t going to let up, she packed them in the car and drove out to Oak Cliff from their home in Arlington. Now that’s family!

It was truly a pleasure to meet the variety of people there that day. One in particular was eight year old Diana Osorio, who became my little helper. Whatever job needed to be done, she was on top of it. It was hard to tell where she was at times. One second she was waving a sign to get the cars to come in, the next soaping up a Honda, and the next asking if she could hold the box to take the next donation. For eight hours, Diana didn’t stop once and her commitment to help out was infectious.

I was so amazed and impressed with the sense of community I experienced that afternoon. It was only matched by the selfless generosity I witnessed from the endless stream of cars that came through. Two incredible things happened at the end of the day. First, Shoboy gathered all the volunteers together in an inspirational huddle expressing the station’s gratitude for all who came out and worked so hard. Second, nearly $1,700 was raised for the American Red Cross for the relief efforts in Japan.

Though I was touched and in awe of the events of the day, nobody else seemed too surprised about what we had accomplished together. I was told that what I had experienced – people who didn’t know each other coming together to help the citizens of a devastated country half a world away – this is the essence of family. All I can say to MEGA 107.5 FM, their wonderful listeners and the volunteers at the American Red Cross is that, as a family, we provided help and hope to citizens of Japan. “Muchas gracias” for a great day!

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A Sweet Deal: American Red Cross Cupcake Week

From March 27 to April 1, stop by Sprinkles Cupcakes in The Plaza at Preston Center and treat yourself to a Red Velvet cupcake adorned with a Red Cross sugar decoration. Sprinkles will donate 100% of the proceeds to the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter in celebration of our 100 Year Anniversary.

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The Heart of One Child Offers Hope to a Nation

Liam and Lori Hyde

By Anita Foster, American Red Cross, Dallas, Texas

Earlier this week, I was on the phone with Lori Hyde, one of my best girlfriends who lives in Woodbridge, Virginia. We hadn’t spoken since the earthquake and tsunami hit in Japan. Working for the Red Cross, she expects that I’ll disappear for a while as we set up relief operations, fundraisers and the like. Since the morning of March 11 though, I had been anxious to talk to her. Married to a retired Marine, Lori and her husband were stationed in Japan for a number of years, and in fact, both of her boys were born there.

Chatting like girlfriends do, she was sharing with me the culture of the Japanese people and telling stories of how they practiced tsunami and earthquake drills. I briefed her on all of the drives we had already done, and the interesting ones we had coming up. Then she said, “You won’t believe what Liam said yesterday…”

And so the story begins. Lori and her 12-year-old son, Liam, were in the car driving into Washington D.C. for lunch when Liam asked her about the people in Japan. “We really don’t keep the evening news on in the house,” said Lori. “We have young boys so we try to monitor what they’re seeing, but it was obvious that Liam had done his homework because he knew all about the quake, the tsunami and even the nuclear plant.” Liam had taken the time to look behind the headlines to figure out what had happened in Japan, and for days, he internalized the information and tried to figure out how he could help. “He went to Yahoo and watched the videos of the tsunami coming in and inherently understood that people were going to suffer and need help,” said Lori. “So he asks me if he can send food or clothing or water to Japan. I explained that the best way to help was to give money. He sat silently for a minute, but I could see his wheels spinning and after a bit, he turned to me and said, ‘Well, I have money. I can give money.’ So I said sure honey. You can give half of your allowance. Liam looked at me and said, ‘No, I can give it all. They need it more than me right now.’

Together, Lori and Liam rounded up his $30 allowance, but not feeling like he was doing enough, he asked his Mom to withdraw a matching $30 from his savings account for a total gift of $60 to be sent through the American Red Cross to the Japanese Red Cross.

I called Liam today to thank him for his gift and as we were chatting, I asked him some questions about how he was feeling. “When I first saw the pictures of the devastation, it was shocking,” said Liam. “I felt really bad inside. I asked my Mom if I could collect and send some things over to Japan, but she said what they needed was money so I decided to give my money to them.” When one child opens his heart to help a nation heal, it can’t help but to open ours too. Through the heart and mind of this precious young boy, we are reminded that the world is one; and when one suffers, we all suffer. Liam said it best. “After I decided to give money, it made me feel great on the inside because I know that I’m helping one human being, or in this case, many human beings.”

I asked Liam what he would do if this kind of disaster happened here where we live and spoken like the young humanitarian he is, he said, “If this happened in the United States, I could set aside some time and go there to help. Maybe I could clear debris or something.”

Of course my girlfriend Lori is amazingly proud of her little boy who has so innocently reminded us what being a humanitarian is all about. “I’m so proud of him because he truly cares about other people,” said Lori. “That comes from inside of him. We just try to set a good example and then point him in the right direction so he knows how to help in the best way.”

For me, I’m proud to know a young person like Liam Hyde. A boy who would give up a video game or some other prized possession so that he could help people a world away is a hero in my mind. So we’re honored to take Liam’s $60 donation, put it together with yours and mine, and turn our compassion into action to help a nation of people on the other side of the world. Thank you, Liam Hyde. You’ve made a difference.

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Social Media Club of Dallas to Host "Dallas 4 Japan"

On Thursday, March 24th, the Social Media Club of Dallas will host "Dallas 4 Japan," a networking event and fundraiser for the American Red Cross. The event will be held at the Aloft Hotel in Dallas from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Donations from this event will go to support the American Red Cross disaster relief efforts in Japan. Grab your tickets now!

We hope to see you there! Can't make it? You can follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Dallas4Japan.

Watch this moving video and make plans to attend this event!

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Red Cross Relief Efforts Continue In Japan, An Update from Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

It’s been eleven days since the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan captured the world’s attention. Since then, residents in Dallas and our surrounding communities have leapt into action to help. Through our telethon with WFAA Channel 8 and radio drives with 103.7 LiteFM and Mega 107.5, you have contributed more than $83,000 already! We encourage you to keep giving at our website www.redcross.org or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Additionally, we’d like to share with you how you can help in the local area. In this update, I’ll brief you on the current situation in Japan and then share with you some exciting ways that you can help us right here in Dallas as we carry out our humanitarian mission every day.

First let me say that the news coming out of Japan is likely to get worse before it gets better. I know that’s heartbreaking to hear as the people there have already suffered so greatly. But the reality of the situation is overwhelming. Just to highlight a few of the humanitarian challenges:

• Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency has raised the alert level at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant from four to five on a seven-point international scale for atomic accidents.
• The number of officially missing stands at more than 12,000 lives and rising
• The number of confirmed deaths stands at close to 10,000 and is expected to rise dramatically
• Approximately 373,000 homes are without electricity and 1.8 million homes are still without water

In the midst of this epic disaster in Japan, progress is beginning to happen. Vital infrastructures such as airports and seaports are being repaired. The Sendai airport, which was submerged by the tsunami, is now open to emergency vehicles, airplanes and helicopters. The number of people in evacuation centers has decreased from 450,000 two nights ago to 390,000 overnight.

While slight improvements are happening on some fronts, recovery for the country of Japan will take years. Each of us who are helping today will be a part of that recovery process for the Japanese people. And please know that they appreciate your support. Last Friday, an official with the Japanese Red Cross sent us these words to share with all of you:

“The compassion the American people have demonstrated over the past week through their generous support to the American Red Cross is incredibly uplifting at a time when we are dealing with such an immense humanitarian tragedy. This financial support is very much needed and continues to be welcomed to help the hundreds of thousands of lives that will forever be changed by this disaster.”

While our teams here at the Red Cross are working around the clock to help the people of Japan, we’re also responding to single and multi-unit apartment fires across the local area. Just this weekend, we helped 12 families who burned out in a Lewisville apartment fire along with seven families who lost their homes one at a time. Typically, we help an average of three families every day. You can help us take care of these local families too!

On Saturday, March 26, 2011 we will host our first-ever “Roll Call at the Crescent” event to highlight the amazing 100 years that the Dallas Area Chapter has been responding locally. A handful of tickets are still available for the event so we’re encouraging you to come out and join us and support local relief efforts right here at home too.

On behalf of every volunteer and staff member at the American Red Cross, we thank you for the many ways in which you’re helping the people of Japan and those who need you here at home. It is heartwarming to be surrounded by so many people who know that humanity begins at home, and spreads wherever it needs to be. Until our next update, I wish you nothing but the best.

Warmest Wishes,
Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

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Save-a-Life Saturday Photos

To honor Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and all those involved in the Tucson tragedy, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter offered free lifesaving training on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Thank you to the 400+ people who learned lifesaving training. Check out these photos from the event:

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Mega 107.5 to Help Raise Money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

Mega 107.5 will be collecting financial donations for the American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan in three location on Saturday, March 19.

CARWASH at Wendy's
2328 W. Illinois Ave
Dallas, TX 75224
10am-4pm

Virgin Mobile
Station Remote with Shoboy
618 Park Row Dr.
Arlington, TX 76010
12pm- 2pm
Shoboy will be at this location

Car Toys
3301 W Airport Freeway
Irving, TX 75062
2-4 pm
Eddie J will be at this location

Join us if you can!

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Gene & Julie from 103.7 Lite FM to Help Raise Money for Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

The Gene & Julie Show on 103.7 Lite FM will be out at 3 locations on Friday, March 18, from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. collecting financial donations for the American Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

Starbucks Flower Mound
2646 Flower Mound Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028
(News Director David Rancken will be here)

Starbucks Garland
6075 Broadway
Garland, TX 75043
(Producer Kelly Fair will be here)

Starbucks Forest Hill
3300 SE Loop 820
Forest Hill, TX 76140
(Web Producer Jeanne McGuire will be here)

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Japan Was Prepared, Are We?

The unthinkable happens.
As the earthquake rocked the shores of Japan, its people - including elderly, children and the vulnerable - only had a few minutes to evacuate before the large tsunami hit. Within this short time-span, many lives were lost and much property was irrevocably damaged.

The best laid plans.
This massive earthquake followed by a tsunami is something that even the most prepared country in the world did not expect. It is well-known that Japan has in place early-warning systems, strict building codes, and citizens that are heavily-versed in escape routes. Even with all this, Japan is still suffering after-effects of unimaginable proportions.

Let us take heed.
As the Japanese experience proved, even the best thought-out plans do not unfold as expected. What are our plans? Are we ready for a mega-disaster? Perhaps it is time for us to prepare.

Related Links

• With severe weather in the forecast, make a plan
• Tsunami Relief telethon
• Locating loved ones in Japan

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Video from WFAA/Channel 8 Telethon to Support Relief Efforts in Japan

This week, WFAA/Channel 8 will be supporting the Red Cross by holding a three-day telethon in support of the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief efforts. The phone bank will be manned by volunteers from the Dallas Area Chapter during the evening newscast March 15-17 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Follow us on Twitter @RedCrossDallas and we will tweet the call-in number.

Officials from the Japanese Red Cross have indicated they would be grateful for donations from the American Red Cross to support their earthquake and tsunami response. Those who want to help can go to http://www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to support our disaster relief efforts in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

WFAA is the exclusive television partner of the 100th anniversary of the Dallas Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.

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Update on Relief Efforts in Japan from Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

Watching the tragic images unfold in Japan over these past few days has been unbearable. So many millions of people are suffering tremendous loss…of their precious loved ones, their homes and even their homeland.

While it may seem like we’re powerless to help from a world away, we’re really not. In this update, I’ll share with you all of the ways that we can help from right here in our own homeland.

Before we get to that though, I was to ask you to think about your own personal state of readiness. Do you have a disaster supply kit packed and ready to go today? What about a family communication plan? These tools can save your life so jump on www.redcross.org/beredcrossready if you need help getting a preparedness plan started.

Please know that all of us at the American Red Cross are heartsick over the catastrophic events in Japan. That’s why we’re working around the clock to raise funds for our neighbors and friends to the east. And you’ve been right there with us every step of the way. We can’t thank you enough for caring so much for others. Please accept our deepest gratitude and let me know if you have any questions that I don’t answer in this update.

Warmest regards,
Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones

American & Japanese Red Cross Relationship

The American Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross have a long and valued relationship. The American Red Cross supported Japan after the 1995 Kobe earthquake and in turn, they helped the American Red Cross following 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

We have been in close contact with our colleagues in the Pacific region to offer our support, and the American Red Cross deployed a disaster management expert Sunday from its Washington, D.C., headquarters to Japan for a week-long mission. She is serving on a seven-person, international team focused on providing high-level support and advice to the Japanese Red Cross.

The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with 2 million volunteers. These local volunteers in Japan are distributing relief items, making sure displaced people are offered hot meals, clearing debris and providing medical transportation. The Japanese Red Cross has also deployed 95 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, including doctors and nurses.

One Million Raised in Text Donations

As of Sunday afternoon (March 13), the American Red Cross had raised approximately $7.8 million for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response with more than $1.1 million in text donations.

WFAA/Channel 8 Telethon

This week, WFAA/Channel 8 will be supporting the Red Cross by holding a three-day telethon in support of the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami relief efforts. The phone bank will be manned by volunteers from the Dallas Area Chapter during the evening newscast March 15-17.

How You Can Help

Officials from the Japanese Red Cross have indicated they would be grateful for donations from the American Red Cross to support their earthquake and tsunami response. Those who want to help can go to http://www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to support our disaster relief efforts in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

Top Headlines

Gail McGovern On Relief Efforts In Japan
Monday night, Gail McGovern, American Red Cross president and CEO, talked to CNN's Piers Morgan about the relief effort in Japan. Read more

How To Find Loved Ones In Japan

With thousands of missing people in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, families are anxiously looking for information about their loved ones. Read more

Red Cross Launched Call Center to Help Separated Loved Ones
On Saturday, the Dallas Area Chapter supported the Earthquake/Tsunami relief efforts by staffing a call center at the Red Cross location in McKinney, Texas. The Response Center Network is an extension of our national headquarters operation and it's activated when a disaster overwhelms the capacity of any one call center. Our volunteers manned the phone lines as desperate family members were trying to reach their loved ones believed to be in Japan. Our teams helped these families get to the www.icrc.org/familylinks website where they could register or search for a missing person. The list is painful to view, and grows rapidly every day. Read more about our call center


Gabrille Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life Saturday
The tragedy in Japan reminds us how important it is to be prepared for a disaster. On Saturday, March 19th, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter will offer free lifesaving training in honor of Gabrille Giffords and those impacted by the tragedy in Tucson earlier this year. Read more

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Kid Texts Donation, Encourages Other

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Gail McGovern On Relief Efforts In Japan

Monday night, Gail McGovern, American Red Cross president and CEO, talked to CNN's Piers Morgan about the relief effort in Japan.

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How To Find Loved Ones In Japan

With thousands of missing people in the wake of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, families are anxiously looking for information about their loved ones. Unfortunately, the list of unaccounted keeps getting longer and longer. The Kyodo News Agency is reporting today that over 10,000 people are dead or missing, and many officials believe that estimate is too low.

You can turn to several Web sites for information on missing people:

ICRC Family Links: Register on this Web
site from inside or outside the affected areas if you're looking for a
relative or if you want to inform your relatives that you are alive. This is
a free service and is available in various languages.

Google People Finder:
Search for someone or leave information about someone. This is a free service and available in several languages.

Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or 202 647-5225.

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Gail McGovern to Appear on CNN Tonight

Watch Piers Morgan Tonight on CNN at 8:00 p.m. CDT to see Gail McGovern, American Red Cross CEO, give an update on the Red Cross relief efforts for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Daniel Hernandez, Gabrielle Giffords' intern, will also appear on the show to talk about Gabrielle Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life event this coming Saturday, March 19th. Daniel Hernandez had been U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' intern for five days when Giffords was shot in the head outside a mall in Tucson on January 8th.

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Red Cross Launches Call Center to Help Connect Separated Loved Ones

The Dallas Area Chapter has been asked to support the Earthquake/Tsunami relief efforts by staffing a call center at the Red Cross location in McKinney, Texas. The "Response Center Network" will be manned by ten qualified volunteers who will be taking phone calls and helping families who might be trying to find a loved one in an evacuation site or shelter here in the United States. It is also anticipated that they will be helping families trying to find loved ones in Japan. Following the events of September 11, the Dallas Area Chapter also provided similar support to families trying to find their loved ones at Ground Zero.

The Response Center Network is an extension of our national headquarters operation and it's activated when a disaster overwhelms the capacity of any one call center.

The call center will be operational today from 3:00pm-11:00pm, tomorrow from 8:00am-11:00pm and Sunday from 8:00am-11:00pm and will be located at the American Red Cross, 1450 Redbud Blvd, McKinney, TX 75069

For people in our community trying to locate a U.S. citizen in Japan, contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747. To locate someone in Hawaii or another U.S. tsunami zone, go to www.redcross.org and check the Safe & Well list.

To help the victims, a donation can be made by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. $10 will be included on your cell phone bill. Donations can also be made at www.redcross.org.

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Pacific – Earthquake and Tsunami: Disaster Alert

March 11, 2011

BACKGROUND

On March 11 at 2:40 p.m. local time, an magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck Japan near the city of Sendai, which caused damage and generated a powerful tsunami which struck northern Japan. A series of high magnitude aftershocks continues to hit the area. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for all countries on the Pacific Coast.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS

• The Japanese Red Cross is assessing the full impact of the earthquake and tsunami and has deployed 11 National Disaster Response Teams to conduct assessments, provide healthcare and first aid and plan for relief supplies distribution. The Japanese Red Cross has not made any request for international assistance at this moment.
• A high human toll is anticipated in Japan and the number of dead and missing is rising as the impact of the damage becomes apparent. Initial indications that the worst affected areas are in northeast Japan in Tohuku Region close the epicenter and tsunami impact areas. The Japanese government has mobilized an emergency response, deploying 900 rescue workers to this area.
• Red Cross national societies in the pacific islands such as the Fiji Red Cross and the Cook Islands Red Cross are preparing for impact of the tsunami wave and have sent out alerts via early warning systems.
• The American Red Cross chapters in the pacific islands of Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam as well as west coast of the U.S. are on alert and stand ready to provide assistance as needed.

MAP OF AFFECTED AREA: Affected Areas in Japan – Japan Meteorological Agency

GLOBAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT NETWORK RESPONSE

Japanese Red Cross

• The Japanese Red Cross is assessing the full impact of the earthquake and tsunami and has deployed 11 National Disaster Response Teams to conduct assessments, provide healthcare and first aid, and plan for relief supplies distribution. No request for international assistance has been made from Japanese Red Cross at this moment.
• The Japanese Red Cross have indicated they are not accepting international tracing inquiries at this time but are assessing the situation.

American Red Cross

• Nationally, the American Red Cross has activated its Disaster Operations Center at its headquarters to facilitate the domestic response as needed for U.S. chapters. It has activated its ‘Safe and Well’ family linking website.
• Internationally, the American Red Cross is monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide international assistance as needed. Its warehouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is fully stocked with pre-positioned relief supplies for 5,000 families and it has disaster specialists on stand by.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation)

• The International Federation’s Asia Pacific Disaster Management Unit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is taking the lead on International Federation coordination and support activities for the response.

The information in this report is compiled from a number of sources including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the U.S. Agency for International Development and involved national Red Cross/Red Crescent societies. The American Red Cross strives to provide the most accurate and timely information possible; however, all information should be considered conditional until a final report has been issued.

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Save-a-Life Saturday

To honor Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and all those involved in the Tucson tragedy, the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter will offer free lifesaving training on Saturday, March 19.

The training will last 45 minutes to one hour, and will include instruction in hands-only CPR, controlling external bleeding and managing shock.

“The tragedy in Tucson is a reminder of how important it is for everyone to know first aid and CPR,” said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “As this tragic event unfolded, several bystanders knew these vital skills, which helped save the lives of many victims, including Congresswoman Giffords. This inspired us to offer this training in order to help save lives in communities nationwide.”

“Congresswoman Giffords is alive today in part because a heroic individual was trained in basic first aid skills,” said Pia Carusone, the congresswoman’s chief of staff. “Training every American in these critical skills is one of the ways that we can ensure that good can come from the horrific events of January 8. You never know when you too might be in a position to save a life. We are very appreciative of the Red Cross for putting on this inspired event in locations around the country, and we encourage every American to get trained on March 19.”

Although most emergencies are not as large as the one in Tucson, it is important for the public to be prepared for ones that can happen at home, the office or at school. In fact, a 2010 Red Cross survey found that one in four people (27 percent) have found themselves in a situation where someone needed CPR. Recent research also shows that if more people learned hands-only CPR, we could increase the likelihood of surviving cardiac emergencies that occur outside a hospital by putting more victims within a few steps of lifesaving assistance.

The Red Cross is able to provide this free training through the generous support of Walgreens and Safeway.

“Some of our health care professionals saw first-hand during the Tucson tragedy the value of knowing CPR,” said Greg Wasson, Walgreens President and CEO. “This is invaluable and important training that we’re proud to help provide in partnership with the American Red Cross and in honor of Rep. Giffords as she continues her recovery. Every person trained is a potential life-saver.”

“We can think of no better way to honor Congresswoman Giffords and the other Tucson victims than to equip a greater number of citizens with life savings skills,” said Safeway Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Steve Burd. “We are honored to be a partner in this important national endeavor and commend the Red Cross for leading it.”

Also on March 19, the Red Cross is premiering a special set of videos to teach CPR and first aid skills. Those unable to attend a Save-a-Life Saturday event can also visit www.redcross.org/savealife to see lifesaving skills being taught. The public can also contact their local Red Cross chapter to find out when full CPR and first aid classes are offered at other times.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 19th, as we learn essential life-saving skills!

How do I register?

You can register online or you may also contact Cynthia Gonzalez at (214) 678-4816 or cgonzalez@redcrossdallas.org.

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Red Cross Night with the Texas Legends

You’re invited to join us for American Red Cross night on Saturday, March 12th, as we celebrate our 100th birthday with the Texas Legends!

Gates open at 6 p.m. and the pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m. with the game starting at 7 p.m. at the Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco. The game is certain to be action-packed as the Texas Legends take on the Austin Toros in a nationally televised game. Our very own Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter CEO, will be recognized at the game as a Texas legend. There will also be other birthday surprises throughout the evening. A section of the arena has been designated for the Red Cross, so you can enjoy the evening alongside fellow Red Crossers. Tickets to the game can be purchased for less than $10 at TicketMaster.com using the keyword “redcross”. A portion of the ticket sales will go to benefit the American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter.

Direct questions to Jessica Dunn at 214-678-4440 or jdunn@redcrossdallas.org.

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Give Blood and Help Celebrate 40 Years of Lifesaving Blood Drives in Corsicana, Texas

When a member of the Corsicana community needs blood, fellow citizens roll up their sleeves to give. And that’s how it’s been for the past forty years.

One woman who shares responsibility for saving countless lives is Sue Wilson. As an unpaid volunteer for more than 30 years, Ms. Wilson made it her mission to set up monthly blood drives in Navarro County. Since 1971, Red Cross volunteers have held 12 drives per year, times forty years for a grand total of 480 blood drives. The number of people at each drive averages 20 for a total of 9,600 donors. Each pint a donor gives can save up to three lives so when it’s all said and done, the people of Navarro County, Texas have saved 28,800 lives through blood donations.

Today, the people of Corsicana will have an opportunity to join the Red Cross and thank area donors and volunteers for their lifesaving work. A special blood drive has been set up to honor the 40th anniversary. Being held at First United Methodist Church/Martin Hall, with a goal of course to collect forty pints of blood, the drive will last from 12:30p.m.-6:30p.m. To sign up for the blood drive, call 1-800-REDCROSS or go to www.redcrossblood.org.

“We really want this drive to be a success in honor of our past and present donors and volunteers,” said Shelly Campbell, branch manager, American Red Cross serving Navarro and Ellis Counties. “When you stop to think how many lives have been saved over the past 40 years, it’s mind-boggling. But more mind-boggling is realizing that many of those lives would have been lost without our donors.”

Campbell goes on to say that this is the perfect time to donate blood. “The winter storms we’ve endured across the country have left the Red Cross blood supply dangerously low. In fact, we’re down by about 33,000 pints nation-wide and we need to put that blood back on the shelf before we need it.”

A special reception, beginning at 11:30a.m., will be held in honor of Ms. Wilson and top blood donors like Roger Warner who has given 23 gallons over the years.

If you have been a Red Cross blood donor or volunteer and have a story to share, please join the Red Cross at the special reception.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcrossdallas.org or join our blog at www.redcrossdallas.blogspot.com.

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