I donated blood for the first time as a 17-year-old junior in high school. The American Red Cross visited my school regularly – we had more than 2,000 students, which made us a good donor pool – and whenever the organization was on campus, students who qualified as potential donors (at least 17 years old, at least 110 pounds, in general good health, and have not donated blood in the last 56 days) were given permission to MISS CLASS schedule an appointment to donate. I admit it…the opportunity to miss Physics motivated me to donate blood for the first time.

At the risk of sounding like a blood donation snob (that’s not my intention, I promise), on the day of my first donation I learned that I’m an excellent blood donor. My blood type is A-, so while I’m not a universal donor, I can donate to quite a few different blood types. I’m not at all squeamish and I have a really tough stomach, so nothing about the blood donation process bothers me. I have awesome veins and blood comes out of me quickly, so I’m in and out of the chair in about 10 minutes. And I never feel queasy after donating, so I can leave a blood drive and carry on with my day as I otherwise would have done. So there’s absolutely no excuse for me NOT to donate blood.

I donated regularly throughout high school, college, and my 20s, save for year-long breaks after a tattoo and when I was pregnant with both of my kids. But then we relocated clear across the country, and in the craziness of moving twice; selling, renting, and buying houses; leaving an old job and starting a completely new career; and settling everyone else into our new life, I didn’t donate blood for two years. (You can’t see me, but I’m hanging my head in shame.)

Determined to get back out there, I finally set up an appointment to donate at the TAMU American Red Cross Club blood drive a couple of months ago. My smooth donation and relatively easy recovery served as a reminder of why it’s so important for me – and all of us who are able to donate – to keep at it, even when life is hectic.

The thank you note I received from the Red Cross about a month after my donation served as a second reminder of why it’s so important for me to donate. This thank you note, while somewhat generic (to be expected when an organization sends thousands each year), was in many ways incredibly individualized. In addition to a sincere thank you and statistics about my blood type, my thank you note included information about where in the country – the state, the city, AND the hospital – my donation was sent, a detail I very much appreciated and that made me feel connected to the process once again.

I get it. Life is hectic. Life is exhausting. Life is constant. But the need is also constant. If you’re eligible, please consider scheduling an appointment to donate blood.

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Wow, I have learned a few things today (in no particular order):
1) Americans Love Ice Cream
2) Americans LOVE Trace Adkins
3) Americans love the American Red Cross

Remember to include these when posting your Macadamia Maple Mashup Madness pics (and keep ‘em coming – you’re doing GREAT!)
@RedCross
@TraceAdkins
#celebapprentice
#macadamiamashup
#TeamTrace

Here are a few that caught our attention today. Remember, you have until the end of the week to purchase your ice cream – but be warned, apparently this stuff is SELLING OUT in stores across the country!

@traceadkins yep another store sold out thanks to me!!!!! twitter.com/donna_childres…

— donna(@donna_childress) May 14, 2013

Don’t tell my boss I snuck out to Walgreens 4 Maple Macadamia Mash Up so#TeamTrace wins #CelebApprentice #redcross twitter.com/donnamorrissey…

— Donna Morrissey (@donnamorrissey) May 13, 2013

@traceadkins @walgreens #celebrityapprentice MSP… Supporting #TeamTrace Maple Macadeamia Mash-Up twitter.com/tracesbamalady…

— Regina Vick (@tracesbamalady) May 14, 2013

I love your ice cream Trace! Rooting for you! @traceadkins @traceadkins #icecream twitter.com/PapaHemmy/stat…

— Hemmy (@PapaHemmy) May 14, 2013

Even the kitten can’t get enough @traceadkins @god_gave_me_me #teamtrace #CelebrityApprentice #celebapprentice twitter.com/theothermtesta…

— Marissa (@theothermtesta) May 14, 2013

Go get @traceadkins Maple Macadamia Mash-up! I’d put this stuff on my pancakes it’s so good! #TheApprentice twitter.com/bretteldredge/…

— Brett Eldredge (@bretteldredge) May 14, 2013

@traceadkins “Trace Towers” twitter.com/tammym777/stat…

— Howie Feltersnatch (@tammym777) May 14, 2013

@traceadkins mmmmmm mmmmm mighty good twitter.com/faycraft/statu…

— Fay Moore (@faycraft) May 14, 2013

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Wow! What an end to All Star Celebrity Apprentice. The last two contestants are standing and it’s Trace Adkins and Penn Jillette! Penn’s a great competitor, but we love Trace and the voice he’s given to disaster victims the last several weeks. All of us at the Red Cross are so proud of Trace and what he’s accomplished on behalf of our organization and all the people we serve. He’s represented the Red Cross with integrity and lots of heart and we’re cheering him on to the finish line.

We’re not just cheering him on, we’re ready to put our money where our mouth is-literally-and we hope you will too. This week’s task involved Trace and Penn developing custom ice cream flavors for the Walgreens Delish brand. Team Trace developed “Maple Macadamia Mash Up“, based on his favorite candy flavor-maple nut. (Team Trace also had to create a commercial for the ice cream, which featured Gary Busey busting a move because the ice cream is so good. I can’t wait to see the final product next week.)

If Trace’s flavor is the top seller this week, he’ll win an extra $100,000 for the Red Cross and disaster victims around the nation. That’s 10,000 meals for disaster victims or 20,000 blankets for people who stay in our shelters. That also means you don’t have to ask me twice to buy ice cream.

So get yourself down to a Walgreens or a Duane Reade store this week and pick up Maple Macadamia Mash Up. When you do, make sure you tweet some photos of yourself enjoying that creamy goodness. Not only will you help the Red Cross and propel Trace to the top of the boardroom, but you can also rest assured that, somewhere in America, Gary Busey is doing a happy dance. That should make everyone smile.

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When it comes to people in India, there are only big numbers.  More than 1.2 billion people live in the country, and about 27 million children are born there every year. For measles control, India is also thinking big. Health workers are in the final phases of vaccinating 134 million kids from ages 9 months to 10 years against measles.

Acclaimed illustrator Sophie Blackall has just returned from the holy city of Varanasi in India, where she and her daughter Olive spent a week learning the logistics of reaching so many children.

Left: Illustrator Sophie Blackall and her daughter Olive with children vaccinated against measles near Varanasi, India.

“It’s been an extraordinary week,” says Sophie. “In  Varanasi alone there are 630,000 children to reach. They live in all sorts of communities – rural and urban. Some are in nomadic camps and some live on an island that can only be reached by boat.  The health workers are trying to reach them all, in stifling heat, and this is an admirable task.”

How better for an illustrator to tell the story than through artwork? Sophie and Olive premiered this video at “Mom+Social“, an all-star event focused on motherhood and the role of social media, technology, and philanthropy to improve the health of moms and children everywhere.  Inspired by the universal bond of motherhood, Sophie blogged about her Indian experience here (share the link and you’ll unlock $5 for immunization).

Sophie, who is widely known for the best-selling children’s series Ivy & Bean together with many other award- winning books and artwork, has spent the last year working with the Measles & Rubella Initiative. The trip to India was hosted by M&RI founding partner UNICEF.

“To know that measles is still killing about 430 children a day is really quite shocking,” says Sophie. “But to know that there is an effective vaccine that costs only one dollar per child means that we have a problem for which there is a solution. I want to be part of that.”

Stay tuned for Sophie’s next project inspired by the health workers and children of India…

You can see some of her work for the Measles & Rubella Initiative here.

Filed under: International, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Satellite view of California Wildfire smoke over the ocean [Gawker]

Hurricane Sandy, 6 months later [The Big Picture]

Grandma gave her wedding ring to the Red Cross [Nancy Jo]

Designing for the Science of Service Delivery [SSIR]

You can join this Stars for Heroes Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s campaign [Benefits Service to Armed Forces]

Don’t be a sink-easy! [Retro Red Cross Swimming instructions]

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This post is the third in a series about American Red Cross Clubs at high schools, colleges, and universities across the country. Read the introduction to this series (“Join the Club”) here, and learn more about how to join and/or start an American Red Cross club (“Red Cross Club FAQ”) here.

A couple of months ago I sat down with Amanda Bahls, President of the American Red Cross Club at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, to learn more about the formation of and her involvement with this newly reestablished club. I knew after spending less than five minutes with Amanda that she was the kind of young adult representative the American Red Cross would proudly stand behind – she was prepared, well-spoken, friendly, enthusiastic, and perhaps most importantly, passionate about the mission of the organization.

In my experience, most American Red Cross club board members and committee chairs take on these leadership positions after years of involvement with their local American Red Cross chapter and/or their school’s club. Amanda’s path to club leadership was different than I’d expected in that when she took the reigns last fall, she did so as a freshman. She was new to college, as well as relatively new to both Red Cross clubs and the organization, so how then did she end up president of the Red Cross club at one of the largest universities in the country? Let me explain.

The ARC Club at TAMU was first founded in 2006, but throughout the last two or three years – and likely because the original club’s leadership team never established clear succession and sustainability plans (an important piece of the puzzle when developing a club) – membership dwindled and the club eventually dissolved. Despite her minimal past experience with the Red Cross and an already-hectic school and community service calendar, when Amanda learned at a volunteer fair of the club’s unfortunate state she felt called to pick up the pieces.

Amanda made contact with and received guidance and resources from the local chapter, recruited a faculty advisor, recruited friends who shared her vision for the club to serve beside her in leadership roles, wrote a new constitution, and began the process of recruiting new members by attending on-campus volunteer open houses, using social media, and the old-fashioned way…word of mouth.

Now, as second semester draws to a close, the club has grown to more than 20 members. Membership is open to undergraduates, graduate students, and community members (the constitution allows “community members” to join so that students at another local college – which does not have a Red Cross Club – can join the TAMU club), but at this point, most members are undergraduate students.

As is the case in many clubs, members are required to pay annual dues, complete volunteer paperwork, attend meetings, and volunteer for events. Members are also encouraged to attend club-sponsored social gatherings and, if they’re eligible, donate blood. Club leadership has made member participation easy by already very nearly meeting their goal of coordinating and/or participating in three community service projects, one fundraiser, one blood drive (my donation at this blood drive led to this post about explaining blood donation to my children), one on-campus speaker or presentation, and one off-campus social event every semester.

Amanda, her leadership team, and club members understand that this year is just the beginning and are excited about the future. In the years to come, the team anticipates further developing their partnership with the local chapter and establishing new partnerships with mission-related community organizations and TAMU student clubs. Their goal is to focus on quality over quantity, providing consistency to club members, and to grow the club at a slow but steady rate, creating a solid, close-knit community along the way.

Congratulations to Amanda and the American Red Cross Club at Texas A&M University on a fantastic (second) first year!

Are you a member of a high school, college, or university American Red Cross club? Would you like your club and its activities featured on the National American Red Cross blog? If so, please send an email with your name, contact information, and school to erin@chasingroots.com.

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I am the American Red Cross in my community. This is my community.

On warm summer nights when I was little, my big sister and I would sleep with the bedroom windows open. The sound of cicadas mixed with the faint sound of stock cars racing around the Peoria Speedway track a few miles away. It’s a sound from my childhood that I may not hear for a while. Just a few days ago, the Speedway’s track and office building were underwater because Kickapoo Creek flooded its banks.

Flooding along the Illinois River and Kickapoo Creek is not uncommon. I learned what the word “sandbagging” meant pretty early in life. But this year is historic. The river’s rise has broken a record set back in 1943.

For the first time ever, I’m able to help in a small way. I’ve worked with the Red Cross for more than four years now. Usually, I help spread the word about the importance of blood donation. About five weeks ago, I went through training to communicate about disasters. As I sat through workshops, I had no idea that the first time I would use that Red Cross training would be in my own hometown.

On Thursday, I followed a Red Cross emergency response vehicle into the small town of Spring Bay as the volunteers on board handed out hot meals. I held Adam Lloyd’s 7-month-old son, Gabriel, for a minute as Adam picked up bottles of water and containers of chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes and vegetables. Floodwaters lapped up against their home and the home of Adam’s mother nearby. The Illinois River had just crested in Spring Bay the day before. Inch by painfully small inch, the waters had started to recede. Some of the roads in Spring Bay were still impassable, but the excitement of the Red Cross driver was palpable as he explained that he and his crew were able to get farther into the neighborhood than they had the day before.

It’s my job to tell Adam and Gabriel’s story, as well as the story of how the Red Cross is helping them and their neighbors. The help has come from volunteers like Carolyn and Dan Pasquini, who staffed a Red Cross shelter in Chillicothe, Ill. Just like me, this was their first time on a Red Cross disaster assignment. When I arrived, Carolyn and Dan had just received word that a family of three was on its way to spend the night. They were talking about ways to make the family, particularly the 9-year-old boy, as comfortable as possible.

Many hearts in my hometown are breaking right now. In some ways, my heart is broken. I’ve seen the Illinois River overflow the Peoria RiverFront where I spend summer nights at concerts and festivals. In the very spot where my 6-year-old niece danced on a stage for the Irish festival last year, I can see a water mark where the water crested at the height of the flood.

I know that places like the RiverFront and the Peoria Speedway will recover relatively quickly. Festivals will be held along the river and stock cars will race along the track this summer. But, I also know that it will take much more time for life to get back to normal for people like Adam and his son.

This area – Peoria and its surrounding communities – is called the “heart of Illinois.” I’d like to think that has more to do with the people than simple geography. The hearts of those who live here are big. Volunteers like the Pasquinis are uncommonly common in central Illinois. And when disaster strikes we all want to help. Thanks to my Red Cross training, I can play my small part in my hometown’s recovery.

I’m so proud to be a Red Crosser and I invite you to join me. Don’t wait for a disaster to hit your hometown. Check out volunteer opportunities with your local Red Cross and get trained now. Then you can be ready to respond in your community or a community like mine. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcross.org to learn more.

Filed under: Disaster Response | No Comments »

The Long Beach Earthquake

Eighty years ago, in April 1933, Southern California was recovering from a major earthquake that struck March 10. The quake hit at 5:54 p.m. and a series of aftershocks ensued. The epicenter of the quake was located about three miles off the coast of Newport Beach, but the greatest destruction occurred approximately 20 miles away in Long Beach, as well as Compton and Huntington Park. More than 20,000 homes were damaged, nearly 5,000 were injured and over 120 died.  Damage occurred in both Los Angeles County and neighboring Orange County.

Red Cross first aid units cared for 2,500 emergency cases at Compton.

Red Cross chapters in the disaster area sprang into action. With so many homes damaged, thousands were left homeless and the Red Cross, in collaboration with the Army and Navy, worked to ensure there were sufficient tents and blankets for those in need. At Long Beach, first aid stations were maintained by the Red Cross at one of the large hospitals and at three camps for those forced from their homes. Additionally, a first aid station was set up in Compton and 689 nurses, organized by the Red Cross, volunteered their services there. Mass feeding stations were staffed by Red Cross volunteers and other groups. There were more than 30 feeding centers in Long Beach at the peak of relief operations with approximately 83,000 fed daily. The Red Cross Los Angeles chapter operated an information bureau connecting friends and relatives in the earthquake zone. Those whose homes had been damaged registered with Red Cross for rehabilitation aid, which included supplies for repair and rebuilding operations of homes and businesses. The Red Cross raised over $400,000 for the relief effort.

Mass feeding station in Recreation Park, Long Beach, where thousands of earthquake victims camped.

Filed under: Disaster Response, History, Volunteers | No Comments »

Think you’re ready? Try this Black Swan exercise [Ready, Set, Prepare]

Possible link between hurricane, earthquake aftershocks [UPI]

Extensive drill of LAX’s Emergency Plan a Success [LAFD]

 China Earthquake: Sichuan Province [The Big Picture]

Filed under: Disaster Response, International, Preparedness | No Comments »

“volunteer”

For most of us, the word brings to mind those who give their whole selves to serving others. These kind, generous, selfless individuals immerse themselves in a particular cause or charity, and from our living room couch we read about how they feed and clothe the poor, house the homeless, care for the sick and injured, and raise money to support community nonprofit organizations. And we feel like we aren’t doing enough.

I have always wanted to be an American Red Cross Disaster Volunteer. Yes, Disaster Volunteer (DV) should be capitalized, because it’s a title. A sought-after, hard-earned title given to those who commit themselves to and train for the tremendous responsibilities that come with the job. But I simply can’t, because of where I am in my life, become a DV. Local Disaster Volunteers are called out in the middle of the night and national Disaster Volunteers are deployed for two or three weeks at a time to provide canteen services to first responders and shelter, food, clothing, and mental and emotional support to those affected by natural and manmade disasters. I have two young children and a husband who works 60-80 hour work weeks; there’s no way I could leave my house in the middle of the night, let alone leave my family for weeks. Maybe someday, but not right now.

I know a lot of men and women in situations similar to mine. Caring for our children and our spouses and our parents and ourselves takes more hours than they are in the day and more energy than we have to expend. It would be so, so easy to leave the volunteering to “someone else”. To someone with more time, more energy, fewer children, older children, healthy parents, an easier job, less stress.

But here’s the thing… In my experience, the people whose calendars already overflow with family and work responsibilities and commitments are usually the same people who volunteer. They may not take on the role of Disaster Volunteer, but they’re still out there, making a difference.

A friend of mine cares for and trains Diabetes Alert Dogs. Another friend of mine handles public relations when teams of local Disaster Volunteers are deployed in her community. Friends of mine run the PTO, coach youth soccer and baseball teams, and teach art to underprivileged children. Friends of mine chaperone school field trips, help out in the classroom, and raise money for local service organizations, schools, and hospitals. All on top of their full-time jobs both outside and within their homes.

April 21st – 27th is National Volunteer Week. And while National Volunteer Week is primarily about inspiring and encouraging people to seek out ways in which they can positively impact and engage in their communities, these seven days are also about thanking those who’ve already stepped up to the plate. So today, I’d like to thank the people who give of their time in ways we see and hear about every day. But I’d also like to thank the people who give of their time and are hardly – if ever – recognized for their generosity. It may not always feel like it, but you, as a volunteer, run the world.

Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. ~ Anonymous

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