I Cross My Heart

Photo courtesy of American Red Cross

by Sydney Holt, volunteer contributor

“I Cross My Heart” – A promise, playground rhyme and a familiar country tune, the saying “I cross my heart” is one that we associate with the truth or a pledge. When it comes to taking the pledge to volunteer, I think many of us become overwhelmed and let our commitments fall by the wayside between school, work, parenting and all the other roles we take on as productive members of society. Well, listen up because do I have news for you… Volunteering can be what YOU make it!

Don’t believe me? 30 minutes, a few hours, part-time – take a look at a few ways you can volunteer with DFW Red Cross in 2014 – I “Cross My Heart” it’ll be quick!

30 – 45 minutes – Donate Blood. Contribute to your community's blood supply and change lives. Do it on your own schedule, volunteer as much as and as often as your schedule permits.

A few hours - Learn CPR or Become a Red Cross Instructor. Be ready to serve your community (and loved ones) at any time by learning the important skill of CPR. Then take it to the next level by attending additional courses to become a certified Red Cross Instructor. The Red Cross also offers other life-saving training classes, including Lifeguarding, Babysitting & Swimming/Water Safety.

More flexible – Admin work, accounting experience, writing experience – we welcome all of your talents! To search for opportunities in the DFW area (and beyond) click here.

No time? Don’t feel bad – be a financial participant by donating $10 – text ‘redcross’ to 90999.

Tweet

New Website for Red Cross Equals New Opportunitites to Prepare

It's new. It's improved. And it's all about you! Red Cross DFW has launched a new website and we hope you'll take a tour, a class and maybe even get involved. Listen to Dan Halyburton, one of our Public Affairs volunteers, as he walks you through the new site. While you can still get to our site by visiting www.redcrossdallas.org, we've  joined with our sister city in the Metroplex-Fort. Worth, and will include information pertaining to the entire metroplex area. We hope to see you there!

Tweet

Clarice Tinsley's Hometown Heroes: David Kasten

Written by Kyla Campbell
We already knew it but now it is official! 

David Kasten is a Hero, a Hometown Hero in fact. 

A while back, we wrote about David when he hit his 1,000th volunteer hour and now, Fox 4 named him this week's Hometown Hero in Clarice Tinsley's weekly spotlight.  

It has been said that one should "do what you can, with what you have, where you are." At the Red Cross, we see volunteers each and every day completing tasks with their varied God given skills all across this country. Each role, no matter the size, impacts someone's life. 

David Kasten impacts others by hitting the road every day to do what he can, with what he has, where he is. It just so happens that where he is, is all over North Texas, transporting donor's blood to hospital doors and we are lucky to have him!

Congratulations, David!
Click to play

Tweet

Ethnic Minority Blood Donors are Special! How Being Different Takes on a Whole New Meaning

written by Linh Le, staff contributor

Every day, I learn something new when I come to work. My most recent discovery was one of the most profound. Ethnic minority groups can have rare blood types that are distinctive to their communities. Being an Asian-American, this fact hit close to home. I realized that my donation is critical to helping us maintain a diverse blood supply.

Seleste Celaya (L) and Candice Marroquin (R) rest up after finishing donating blood at a community blood drive.

Statistics about our need and usage of donated blood have always amazed me. For example, did you know that more than half of the Hispanic community has type O blood? Type O blood is used for all types of situations and is usually in high demand by hospitals. It’s amazing to know that because you are Hispanic, there’s a higher chance that your blood type could be used for any patient!

I have always been proud that I am an Asian-American. Knowing that my blood type could possibly help patients with the same ethnic background as me as well as other people in need is something I’ll always remember when I’m at a blood drive. My ethnic pride pumps through my veins and can benefit others in unique ways as well!

Donating blood isn’t a long process, and the time that you spend donating can help save up to three lives so look us up online, no matter your background, to give a pint or host a blood drive. We’re always open at redcrossblood.org.

Tweet

Seasons change but the need remains constant

Thank goodness we can finally wave goodbye to a record breaking summer - record breaking because of the triple digit heat across the country, devastating fires in Texas and a hurricane that hit just about the entire east coast. While the merciless heat is gone and a new season approaches, the need for life-saving blood remains constant. Every TWO seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Think about that statement. What can you do in two seconds? Snap your finger, yawn or wave goodbye to summer? In that time, someone needed a blood transfusion.

So, how does the Red Cross make sure blood is available for that patient? By only using what you graciously donate because blood cannot be purchased or manufactured. You can see why even coming to give blood makes you a hero in the eyes of patients, their family and friends and the Red Cross. Come save a life with us this fall. To learn more about blood and make an appointment to become a hero, please visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/.

Tweet

Vigilantes Donate to Blood Donors

The Dallas Vigilantes want to thank American Red Cross blood donors for helping keep area hospital shelves supplied this summer. The Lone Star State’s Arena Football League entry knows the importance of having a good backup if one of its players goes down as it is for hospitals to have blood on hand at all times. The Vigilantes are giving complimentary tickets to their regular season closer, Saturday, July 23, at the American Airlines Center against their conference rival Arizona Rattlers.

“The Dallas Vigilante’s are happy to be partnering with the Red Cross with this ticket giveaway,” said Jim Tolbert, Sports Marketing Consultant, PCI. “Come enjoy the game on the 23rd and save a life. That’s a winning combination.”

Tickets will be given away at select locations. Individuals can call 1-800-RED CROSS to find participating Red Cross donor centers or blood drives.

“The Vigilantes have been kind enough to provide enough tickets so that 1,000 donors can get a voucher for two seats at the 2011 closer,” said Alison Cook, American Red Cross. “Arena football is a high-scoring event, fun for the whole family. And indoors where it’s cool. This game could be a preview of the two teams’ meeting in the playoffs and we thank them for sharing.”

While blood is needed year-round it is needed especially in the summer, with schools out, people on vacation or the weather being too hot for some to donate. With the beginning of summer vacations, the supply of type O negative blood at the Red Cross has dropped significantly. A decline in blood donations is typical during the summer as donors become busy with seasonal activities and overlook donating blood. For this reason, it is important for eligible donors with blood type O negative to make and keep appointments to give blood this summer. Donors may subscribe to Red Cross texting by sending redcross to 42227 or registering online at redcrossblood.org.

How to Donate Blood:

Call 1-800-RED CROSS or log on to www.redcrossblood.org for more information or to schedule a blood donation appointment. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with completed Parental Consent Form). New height and weight restrictions apply to donors younger than 19. Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more.

Tweet