This Tornado Loves You

When love songs talk about disasters, it's usually metaphorical - a flood of tears, a storm within your heart, etc.

But Neko Case, in her latest album, Middle Cyclone, has a more literal take on things. With the lead track, This Tornado Loves You, she presents the perspective of an actual tornado as it relentlessly pursues an unrequited love.

Disturbing? Slightly. But also surprisingly tender.

Sound intriguing? You can listen to the whole album streaming on NPR music.

Family Experiences Second Fire; Thanks Red Cross

Can you imagine the trauma of losing a loved one in a fire?

Now...imagine having ANOTHER fire in your home, just 10 years later. How would you react?

This is the exact situation that one Oregon family found themselves in recently. Back in 1999, the wife was involved in a fire that claimed the life of her father. When a second fire occured, she was incredibly traumatized, even though her husband and children made it out safely. An officer on the scene was prepared to take her to the hospital to be treated for shock.

But then, "a bright red vehicle pulled up with the American Red Cross on it, and three workers came out with smiles and hope on their faces." They were there when they said they would be, and were professional and compassionate with the family.

The officer shared that this was one of the best Red Cross responses he'd ever seen, and that the family was incredibly appreciative and told him that they could not believe help arrived so fast. Both the family and the officer thanked our responders from the bottom of their hearts.

Big or small, when a disaster happens, the Red Cross is there -- ready to provide food, clothing, lodging and, most of all, emotional support. If you're interested in working as a disaster responder, sign up to become a volunteer.

We can't do our work of rebuilding lives without your help!

NSFW! CPR Avec Les Bonnes Françaises

NOTE: This video is a little bit NSFW (not safe for work). Beware of cleavage!

Who says CPR can't be sexy? Certainly not us...that's what Singles CPR is all about!

Take a lesson from these French maids, who know just how to Check, Call and Care for each other in case of emergency. What's more, they love the Red Cross...though I assure you we've never taught anything quite like this in our classrooms.

What Are You Afraid Of?

We know you dig it when we put polls on the blog, so we decided to try out polling on twitter. To cast your vote click here or see the right-hand sidebar where I've embedded the poll - complete with pie chart to track the results.

Today's question:  What Oregon natural disaster are you most scared of experiencing?

Photo via sergeant killjoy.

Disaster Action Team Responses

On Feb. 25 in King City there was a single family fire. When the person was contacted by the American Red Cross, they did not need assistance, at the time, but they will call American Red Cross if they do need assistance.
On Feb. 26, 2008 a family in Scappoose had a fire in their house. Before the American Red Cross Volunteers arrived, they did not know where they could stay. When the volunteers arrived they assisted the family of 2 adults and 5 children with:

--Lodging in a nearby motel

AmeriCorps: They Do It For The Puppies

If you didn't already know this, the Oregon Trail Chapter is the local administrator for two AmeriCorps programs -- the Oregon State Service Corps and the Clara Barton VISTA Corps.

Members do a ton of work all over the state, addressing community needs and helping area non-profits.

But why do they REALLY help? Well, for the puppies, of course!

This video was actually created for the 2007 AmeriCorps video contest. Get ready now for the 2009 competition, which starts in May!

Red Cross in Clatsop County

We're lucky to have a great leader in Clastop County - Julie Flues. Julie's been with Red Cross for 15 years - leading the charge in blood donor recruitment, health and safety training, emergency preparedness and disaster response across the county. Based in our Astoria office, Julie and her AmeriCorps member, Advisory Board members and volunteers are a highly visible and well-respected team.

I recently spent the day with Julie and her team, catching up on their work, learning how we in the Portland office can be of help, and touching base with community leaders. Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin (in the photo above, with Julie) has been an important Red Cross partner and supporter.

If you or someone you know needs help - or wants to help - in Clatsop County, call (503) 325-4721.

Disaster Response In The Form Of Snuggles

Did you ever lose something you loved as a kid?

I did. When I was six my Snuggle bear was stolen, and I was devastated. I can't begin to imagine how I would have felt if I'd lost my whole home to something like a fire, flood or tornado.

I would have needed something snuggly to hug and to hold. Something soft and cute. Something familiar - like Mickey Mouse.

Ahh, perhaps you see what I'm leading up to here. Yes, for the fourth year in a row, The Walt Disney Company is providing us with plush toys to give to kids recovering from disaster - like the little boy pictured above who our coworker, Ronda, met while responding to Hurricane Ike last year. See that big bear hug? One Mickey Mouse can go a long way toward healing a heart.

Thanks, Disney!

I'm not afraid anymore!

Jean Loomis wasn’t going to lie about it; she was scared, really scared to donate blood for the first time. A victim of her own anxiety and imagination, she admitted that she had built the experience up in her head—a giant, cartoon-size needle violently jabbed in her veins to extract buckets full of blood.

Jean’s experience was far less frightening than she had imagined: “I feel totally fine,” she told me after her donation, “and I survived to tell others that it’s really not that bad!” Her biggest concern now? Where to eat to get her energy back! Chinese or Mexican for lunch? Tough call.
Although Jean was nervous to give blood, she was motivated to do so by good-will and a little peer pressure. Jean’s sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, which places emphasis on supporting the African American community, challenged its members in the Portland area to donate blood this month in honor of Black History Month.

Although ethnicity does not necessarily determine blood compatibility, African-Americans sometimes have subtle differences in red blood cell proteins, increasing the likelihood that a suitable blood donor for a recipient will be someone with a similar ethnic background. Sickle cell disease, for example, is an inherited disease that requires regular blood transfusions. It affects about 72,000 people in the U.S. and is especially prevalent in African Americans. African American blood donors are often the best match for other African Americans with sickle cell disease.

This Saturday, February 28, the Red Cross center in Portland (3131 N. Vancouver Avenue) will host a blood drive in honor of Black History Month. Members of various African American associations in the community, including Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, and the Kaiser African American Association have called their members to action to help save lives by donating blood at this drive.
Regardless of your ethnicity, call 1800 GIVE LIFE or visit nwblood.redcross.org to make a blood donation appointment. Help save lives and honor the history of the African American community! Before you leave, check out this video about Dr. Charles Drew.

Photo Left: Edwin Loomis Right: Jean Loomis

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the major (and sometimes small, but interesting) international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you...

IRAQ: Last year the ICRC and the Iraqi Red Crescent together facilitated some 40,000 family news exchanges between detainees in Iraq and their family members, mainly through Red Cross messages.

The ICRC, acting as a neutral intermediary, is still helping to repatriate the remains of Iraqi and Iranian soldiers from the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Read more highlights of ICRC activities in Iraq here.

CAMEROON: The Cameroon Red Cross and the IFRC partner with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to bring food aid - and hope - to refugees.

SOMALIA: Continuing conflict combined with drought conditions means that millions of Somalis depend on humanitarian aid. The ICRC is providing more than 100,000 people with shelter, water and medical care.

[The ALL CAPS place names link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]

GLOSSARY: 

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross 

IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 

Heart Attack? Better Hope You're Not In A Hotel...

Did you catch this article in yesterday's Wall Street Journal?

It's all about how AEDs -- standard equipment on airplanes and in airports, casinos, health clubs and many public buildings -- aren't often found in hotels. Why not? Concerns about liability.

But as Maureen O'Connor, a public-access defibrillation program manager in San Diego says, "At a five-star hotel, are they really giving the best service they can to their guests if they don't have an AED?"

The article contains helpful information about Good Samaritan laws, which provide legal protection for people making a good faith effort to render assistance, and mentions that some hotels that have AEDs have seen impressive results. For example, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina, six of seven people who suffered sudden cardiac arrest in the past five years have been saved with AEDs.

And, FYI, there's also an interesting blog post in response to the article.

So what do you think about all of this? Would you prefer to stay at a hotel with an AED? Have you ever spotted one in a Portland-area hotel?

Bottom line: If you frequent hotels, you might want to learn CPR just in case you need to save someone's life. There might not be an AED there to help.

Trivia Time! Guess how many...

Okay, so this is sort of like that game where you guess how many jelly beans are in the jar - except in this case it would be really tough for you to cheat by trying to count them all manually.

How many cells would you guess are in one pint of blood? Hundreds? Thousands? Millions?

Try 4,000,000,000,000.

The majority of that gang of four trillion is comprised of red blood cells. (You've got about about 30,000,000,000,000 of those in your body.) A few hundred billion white blood cells and platelets are floating around in there too.

For some perspective on these gigantic numbers... if you tried to count to four trillion (at an average rate of two numbers per second) it would take you 63,377 years. That means that if cavemen started counting the day they painted these, they still wouldn't be halfway through the count. 

Mind boggling!

Anyway, if you've got a few minutes to share a few of those cells, you can go here or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE. Then you you can brag to your friends that you've donated trillions to the Red Cross! 

P.S. Want to have your mind further boggled? Read the article that inspired this post. It compares the number of cells in the body to the number of stars in a galaxy. Amazing!

[Also, hat tip to Mental_Floss for the link and Rob Pongsajapan for the photo.]

Building A Pool Of Oregon Babysitters

There's a lot of talk here in Oregon about schools moving to a four-day week. Whether it's about cost-cutting or streamlining to make things more consistent, schools are dealing with tough decisions and parents are brainstorming how to care for their kids on that "day off."

NPR's Tony Cox spoke with Donald Kordosky, the superintendent of Oakridge School in community of Oakridge, Oregon, where the cutting of one school day is moving forward.

But the nice thing is that Kordosky has a plan -- get high school and junior high students trained in Red Cross first aid and babysitting skills so that there's a built-in pool of child care providers for working parents.

I love this idea and hope other schools in Oregon struggling with this challenge are as forward-thinking. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons!

Connecting Pets And People After Disaster

I am a dog person.

Robin, as you can tell by her love for www.icanhascheezburger.com, is a cat person.

But I think it goes without saying that, no matter what you might own, we want ALL pets to be reunited with their owners after a disaster.

This is why I appreciate the new Together Tag, which acts a little like the Safe and Well website -- but for pets, not people.

As the site says, "When disaster strikes, phone lines and cellular towers can be damaged or destroyed, which means that you might not be able to be contacted right away. That's why we provide you with the ability to safely store secondary and out-of-area emergency contact information. This means that if your lost dog or cat is found, one of your close friends will be notified if you can't be reached."

Essentially, since your pet can't carry around an emergency contact card, Together Tag stores pertinent info on their behalf.

The tag itself isn't anything fancy (though it is tested to withstand extreme conditions), so you're really paying for the online capabilities. Nicely, the parent companies -- Dogster and Catster -- are donating $5 from every tag sold to the Red Cross' pet safety program, so you can feel good knowing that -- one way or another -- your dollars are helping to protect pets nationwide.

Happy Birthday, Barbara!

Just wanted to take a moment to point out this weekend's article about "volunteer extraordinaire" Barbara Peck.

If you haven't read the article, Barbara just turned an impressive 100 years old. But perhaps what's even more amazing is the work that she's done in that lifetime -- helping found the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, pledging hundreds of thousands of dollars to Oregon State University and saving the Pittock Mansion from a wrecking ball in the 1960s.

Oh yeah, and she volunteered for the American Red Cross for a stunning 55 years.

If you're inspired by Barabara and interested in becoming a volunteer, you can easily apply online. You don't have to be a centenarian; we love volunteers of all ages and there's always work to be done!

Photo courtesy of Rob Finch/The Oregonian

Disaster Action Team Responses

On Feb. 22 Two families had a fire in their duplex, in Newberg. When the American Red Cross Yamhill County responders arrived they found 2 adults and 7 children were displaced by the fire. The volunteers assisted the two families with:

--Nearby lodging in a nearby motel.
--A client assistance card to the family that need assistance with food and clothing.

Lasers That Predict Landslides

Whether they come from the mouths of cats or the wings of airplanes, lasers are totally awesome. But since technology isn't quite ready for the former, I bring you the airplane-mounted version -- more affectionately known as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging).

LIDAR uses laser imaging to produce susceptibility maps that can determine "not only levels of landslide risk for a given area, but types of probable landslides in hopes of preventing future development" in more vulnerable areas.

According to this article, developers were often required to have a geotechnical study done by an expert to determine the landslide threat. But even experts were making best guesses based on topography, dirt samples and their own surface observations.

Now, "a geotechnical engineer is going to be able to take this data and make a much better determination on an area,” says James Roddy, earth sciences information officer with Oregon's Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI). “Before, they (could) go out and look at something, but if it’s all covered in blackberry bushes and trees, your guess is as good as ours. Obviously they’re a little bit better at guessing … LIDAR’s able to strip all that away and you’re able to look at bare earth and make much more critical and accurate determinations on slope stability and things like that.”

From there, local governments can use the information to work with developers on mitigating risks of new construction...and potentially pinpointing areas that shouldn't be developed at all.

While the LIDAR susceptibility maps are still being reviewed, Oregon does have comprehensive landslide maps online. And if you do live on or near a landslide, get tips for staying safe at www.oregonredcross.org/landslides.

Parent Asks Son To Follow Geneva Conventions In Video Game

Have you seen this yet? It was posted yesterday on boingboing.net and is beginning to make the rounds. 

A father writes about how he agreed to let his son play the video game Call of Duty if he first studied the Geneva Conventions and agreed that he and his friends would adhere to the rules in the virtual world. That's a pretty cool dad if you ask me!

And I suppose a son's word to his father is as good as it gets in video game warfare since, as far as I know, the game has no International Committee of the Red Cross to ensure humanitarian protection.

FYI, the Geneva Conventions are a set of rules that specifically protect people who do not take part in the fighting (civilians, medics, chaplains, aid workers) and those who can no longer fight (wounded, sick and shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war).

Disaster Action Team Responses

On Feb. 21, at 6:30 pm there was an apartment fire in Aloha. When the American Red Cross volunteers arrived they found that 10 adults and 15 children needed food to eat and clothing to wear. Some of the families could stay had a place to go, but other did not. The American Red Cross assisted each of the families with:

--Client assistance card to shop for clothing and food.
--Lodging in a nearby motel if needed.

On Feb. 22, a family had an single family fire in Portland. When the American Red Cross volunteers arrived the found the family of 5 did have a place to go, and full Insurance. The family knows to call Red Cross if they have any questions or find they do need assistance.

Red Cross Takes On Best Pic Noms

On Sunday night, I'm headed to my first ever Oscar party. To be honest, I've been out of touch with movies as of late, so I've only seen one of the Best Picture nominees. Instead, I'm going for the chance to dress up, which is stunningly rare in these parts. But I digress...

I spotted these odes to the Best Picture noms over at http://www.redcross.org/ and thought they were somewhat cute, if a little cloying. But, in honor of Sunday's event, here's the Red Cross take on the honorees (with a little editing from yours truly):

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Cradle to grave, the American Red Cross can touch everyone’s life. From infant/child CPR classes to planned giving, the Red Cross can help, no matter what your age.

Frost/Nixon
Since 1913, the President of the United States has been the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross. And that’s the truth!

MILK
Got Red Cross? Get involved and become a volunteer. We always welcome a diverse crowd.

SlumDog Millionaire
Who wants to be a millionaire? The Red Cross. Help us raise $100 million for the Disaster Relief Fund, depleted after an active year of disasters.

The Reader
Read between the lines; there's no greater love story than saving someone’s life. Consider signing up for our next Singles CPR class!

Wondermark Comic's Knit Kit

Beloved by readers of The Onion and geeks worldwide, Wondermark Comics pairs 19th-century artwork with 21st-century humor.

Today's topic, how NOT to build an emergency kit:

Do you know what to pack in your kit?

Disaster Action Team Responses

A family in Pendleton single family house was destroyed by fire Feb. 18, 2009. The family was referred to the Red Cross in Pendleton for services on Feb. 19. The family of 2 adults and 3 children had a place to stay, but did need Red Cross assistance. The Red Cross gave the family:

--A client Assistance Card to shop for food, clothing and infant supplies.

Calling All Linguists: Name These Phobias!

Do you suffer from antlophobia? If you live in Vernonia, Oregon, you just might.

Rather than give you all the answers, I'll give you the phobia and you name the fear (leave your answer in the comments). Each one has something to do with the Red Cross. And you don't have to get it right -- ridiculously creative definitions are totally welcome!

ANTLOPHOBIA

BRONTOPHOBIA

CRYOPHOBIA

CYMOPHOBIA

HEMOPHOBIA

HORMEPHOBIA

LILAPSOPHOBIA

PNIGOPHOBIA

Here in Oregon, I'm hoping we don't have anyone who's ombrophobic. In fact, I think it's more likely that we're all heliophobes. Am I right?

One good way to diminish fear of disasters and emergencies is to actually be prepared and confident that you know what to do when such a situation arises. Getting trained in CPR/first aid and being ready for a disaster can help.

[BTW, if you have a real phobia and need assistance, here's a great link from the National Institutes of Health.]

Image courtesy of Capture Queen ™

Storm Stories: Starts Sunday; Submit Your Own

Have you ever watched Storm Stories on the Weather Channel? I haven't seen it myself, but I've been hearing a lot about the Tornado Week episodes that premiere this Sunday. They'll run every night through March 1; after that, the show airs every Sunday at 8 pm.

If you aren't familiar, Storm Stories chronicles the true stories of survivors and rescuers battling amazing weather events. Hosted by storm tracker Jim Cantore, the series tells "harrowing, yet inspiring," tales through first-person accounts and archived footage.

Here's a rundown of what's planned for Tornado Week:

Sunday, 2/22 – Features the May 2008 "Windsor Tornado" that touched down in northern Colorado, destroying much in its path, threatening a campground and a news crew, and ultimately hitting a daycare center.

Monday, 2/23 – The "Parkersburg, IA, Tornado" on May 25, 2008, killed seven people and demolished the southern half of the town; first-hand accounts are given by residents.

Tuesday, 2/24 – The "Greensburg, KS, Tornado" on May 5, 2008, wiped out the entire town. The story is told through the experiences of next-door neighbors who saved a mother and her baby from the rubble.

Wednesday, 2/25 – "Super Tuesday" tornadoes cut a swath over a wide area Feb. 5, 2008; touching stories come from people that were affected in Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Thursday, 2/26 – The "Boy Scouts Tornado" hit the Little Sioux Scout Ranch in western Iowa last June, catching everyone off guard. The surviving scouts are forced to put their training to use in the midst of a terrifying situation to help keep injured scouts alive in the aftermath.

Wanna watch clips from the upcoming episodes? Go here for a variety of video that will give you a hint of what to expect during Tornado Week.

ALSO

To mark the debut of the new season, The Weather Channel is giving viewers an opportunity to share their own "storm stories" online at Weather.com/tv. Stories could be featured in an upcoming episode. Note that this is supposed to start today, but I don't see it on their site quite yet. Check back!

FINALLY

If you live in a tornado-prone area, I'd suggest reading up on our tornado safety tips. Take the time to Be Red Cross Ready; we want your storm story to have a happy ending!

Vikings Throw Gauntlet At Beaver Blood Drive

The Civil War Blood Drive might just have some competition.

It's true; students over at Portland State are trying to give Oregon State a run for its money...or at least a run for its blood.

According to this article, on Feb. 3, PSU broke their school record by collecting 217 units of blood in two days -- that's 197 percent more blood than last year alone.

Though PSU's numbers are impressive, OSU still holds the overall record with around 1,000 units of blood donated over the course of four days.

Joseph Shockley, our Red Cross high school and college representative (and a blog reader!), credits Gwyn Ashcom, PSU’s outreach coordinator, for helping students get signed up. Says Ashcom, "The Red Cross and I are trying to increase the number of drives a term so we can start beating OSU and U of O as the state school with the most active community."

Competition or no, the main goal is to bring in blood donations and get all students -- regardless of alma mater -- involved. When you need more than 5,000 units a week to meet Pacific Northwest hospitals’ needs, Beaver, Duck or Viking blood is all welcome!

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the major (and sometimes small, but interesting) international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of nice little bite-sized links for you...

AFGHANISTAN: From water sanitation to detainee visits to fitting prosthetic limbs for amputees, this is one of the ICRC's biggest operations worldwide.

OCCUPIED GOLAN: Transporting 8,000 tons of apples across the occupied Golan/Syria proper demarcation line is no everyday event.

SRI LANKA: The ICRC continues to evacuate the sick and wounded from the northern Vanni region. 

KENYA: With millions on the brink of starvation, some children must eat poisonous fruit to survive. The IFRC and Kenya Red Cross are distributing food aid and raising funds to further respond to the crisis.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: With new seeds and tools 60,000 people who fled fighting can start farming again.

ZIMBABWE: The record-setting cholera epidemic rages on. Despite rapidly depleting funds, the IFRC continues to help treat and prevent the spread of this putrid and painful disease. 

INDONESIA: The British Red Cross builds earthquake-resistant homes for people still recovering from the 2004 tsunami.

[The ALL CAPS place names link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]

GLOSSARY: 

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross 

IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 

Works Begins On Four Holocaust Tracings

It's not every day that we get a Holocaust tracing request. With each year that passes, the requests are fewer and further between, as those who survived World War II continue to age or pass away themselves. That's why we take immediate action when such a request arrives.

Or four requests, as we've just received.

These four Oregonians want to know what happened to friends and family who were victims of Nazi persecution, living in Europe, Eastern Europe and the former U.S.S.R. between 1933 and 1957. We'll help them out by working with the individual to fill out a Holocaust and World War II Program Tracing Inquiry form, which will then be sent on to the Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center in Baltimore. The center then uses the combined resources from a worldwide network of national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Magen David Adom and countless museums, archives and organizations around the world.

While we can't guarantee a happy ending, here's one example of a tracing that we did for an Oregon woman.

If you'd like to initiate a search yourself, you'll need to show proof of:

- Internment
- Forced and slave labor.
- Deportation, evacuation or dislocation from occupied regions
- Evacuation and/or flight from Soviet territories.
- Displaced persons throughout the area affected by World War II and its aftermath.

To find out more about how we can help, click here. Thanks to Polly for the tip!

Photo courtesy of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum

Prepare-aphernalia: A Different Sort Of Severe Weather Watch

You’ve been tracking the storm all week and today, there’s an offshore breeze. What tide is it? Just look at your Gulfman G-Shock for the answer.

That's how the official G-Shock site introduces its new "G-Rescue" watch. Designed for use in search and rescue missions, this flashy (literally) piece of prepare-aphernalia is seriously water resistant (up to 200 meters), can take a beating and - among other things - it comes with: a tide graph, a calendar, a moon graph, and a countdown timer. 

I'd say it's a pretty handy gadget to have on you for emergencies - especially if you live, work, or hang out near the ocean. 

That bright orange color is designed to make you easily detectable. But if you'd like to be a little more James Bond about things, you could go for the sleek, tough - and much pricier - MTG 1500.

For more info go to the G-Shock site. (Sorry, it's all in Flash so I can't link to products directly.)

Cross Blog: We're The Hottest!

There are so many words that I'd use to describe our blog -- honest, relevant, informed, silly and maybe even a teensy bit snarky. But would I ever use the word hot? Sure, for a person...but for a blog?

Well, someone out there would, because we've just been named one of the Hottest Websites of 2009, as picked by The NonProfit Times and Portland's own NTEN.

As you might guess, this is a HUGE honor. It's not our first award (*blushing*), but it is our first recognition on a national level. Not counting, of course, all the nice e-mails we get from readers all over the country.

If you haven't been reading Cross Blog, I'd suggest catching up with the infamous Blog-Off '08 and Robin's interview with @PortlandRain. You might also like my recent Top 3 list and our Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Ups.

As always, thanks to all of you for your support over the past year. The only thing we love more than the blog are our readers!

Meet Dolly, A Red Cross Pooch

A week ago, I told you about the Red Cross/Westminster dog show connection. Now I'm back with the results and, better yet, a picture of the prize pooch herself!

Meet Dolly (aka LNL's Wishing On A Star):

I am pleased to report that she was “in the ribbons,” earning the first Award of Merit in the Pug category. Congrats to Karen -- give a dog treat to Dolly on our behalf!

Singles CPR: A Red Cross Valentine

Last thing from me about Singles CPR (for now). Here's the video that Kimberly Wilson of The Oregonian put together about this event.

And yes, yours truly provided the voiceover.

Singles CPR: Check Out The Photos!

Slideshow above, or see the set on Flickr right here.

Singles CPR: Best. Valentine's. Ever.

Don't take my word for it. See what class participant AJ Venable blogged about the class for OurPDX Network right here.

And I agree with everything she said -- we had cute guys and gals of all ages, lots of opportunities for interaction and two totally outstanding instructors. People were actually having so much fun that they wanted the night to continue, heading down the street to Pix Patisserie and The 5th Quadrant for more food, drink and flirting.

Will there be any love connections from this CPR class? I'm not sure, but I do know there were several phone numbers and e-mails exchanged, so the odds are good that we brought a few people together.

In short, it was a huge success and I couldn't have asked for a better turnout...or better V-Day plans. Honestly, you won't want to miss the next one -- it's already scheduled for April 4, so sign up now!

Just a final note to say that Singles CPR could never have happened without the help of a great team of people. Thanks to Shelly and Carolina for scheduling our 35+ participants; to Robin and the "Cool Kids Club" for distributing hot pink fliers; to Francisco and Jessie for putting on the most entertaining and interactive CPR class ever; and to Thomas and Stephanie for being willing to let me run with my crazy blog brainstorm and turn it into an actual SUCCESSFUL event!

Image courtesy of Gabriela Camerotti

Disaster Action Team Responses

On Feb. 11 a family had a single family fire in Garibaldi. When the Tillamook County Red Cross volunteers arrived they assisted the family of 4 with:

--A client assistance card to shop for food, clothing, shoes, bedding and a storage container.
--Lodging in a nearby motel.

On Feb. 13, The Columbia County Red Cross volunteers responded to a fire that affected two families. The volunteers assisted a total of six individuals with:

--Client assistance card to shop for food, clothing, shoes, seasonal garments, bedding and a
storage container.

On the same day was a single unit apartment fire, in Portland. When the Red Cross volunteers arrived the adult had a new apartment to move into, but did need assistance with:

--A client assistance card to shop for food, clothing, shoes, seasonal garment, bedding and
storage container.

On the same day the volunteer responded to another single unit apartment fire in Portland. When the Red Cross volunteers arrived they assisted one adult and one child with:

--A client assistance card to shop for food, clothing, and seasonal garments.
--Lodging in a nearby motel.

On Feb. 14, there was single unit apartment fire in Milwaukie. When the Red Cross volunteers arrived they assisted one adult with:

--A client assistance card to shop for food and clothing.
--Lodging in a nearby motel.

Top Three Reasons Why People Who Give Blood Are Sexy

The discussion about why giving blood is sexy began months ago, as I tested out the logic on a variety of female friends and co-workers. All agreed -- there's no doubt that dating (or marrying) a blood donor is definitely where it's at.

My only wish is that I could give you five reasons. Maybe you can contribute a suggestion?

REASON 1: Because they are (mostly) disease-free.
In order to be eligible to give blood, you have to have a pretty clean health history. That means you can't be undergoing treatment for a variety of not-so-sexy STDs. But this reason isn't a home run. There are still a few that you have to watch out for. Hey, at least we've screened out about half!

REASON 2: Because they can take a little pain.
Giving blood isn't always sunshine and bunny rabbits. There's a finger prick and a needle poke and even though they don't really hurt, I can't promise you won't feel anything. Bottom line: People who give blood are ready and willing to withstand a little discomfort. Ahem.

REASON 3: Because they care about others.
A blood donor is, at the core, a kind person. They care about saving the lives of strangers (3 for every pint donated) and are willing to do a good deed for no financial gain -- just a warm, fuzzy feeling and maybe a cookie. They even show up when called...and who doesn't think reliability is sexy?

Single men and women, I urge you to make a point of dating donors. And think seriously about becoming a blood donor yourself; someone may just be looking for you.

Photo courtesy of Jam Adams

Cutest Warning Sign Ever

Is this not the cutest tsunami warning sign you've ever seen? Julie from our Clatsop Service Center out on the coast sent the photo to me, and I love it! 

Students in Astoria are making these posters to educate their peers about disaster preparedness. 

These superstar students are also organizing several fundraisers for the Red Cross: a Valentine sale, a bake sale and a three-week-long Spare Change Drive in March.

Go young people of Astoria! I look forward to seeing more of your creativity.

Flickr Finds: Donate Blood

Photo courtesy of remolacha.net fotos

40 Years' Worth Of Thanks

In 1968, a white firefighter saved a black baby girl, touching the heart of a divided city. The two did not meet again. Until yesterday.

The Boston Globe takes on this historic CPR save and the reunion that was 40 years in the making with both prose and video.



In a time when we're getting ready to honor Oregon heroes at our Breakfast of Champions, this is a great reminder that it's always important to have the skills to save a life.

How Many College Projects Save Lives? This One Does!

Heart failure is not a phenomenon limited to older people. In fact, according to one study, approximately one case of sudden cardiac death occurs every three days in organized youth sports.

And that's why this Duke University student decided to do something about it. 

After two of her friends died from heart failure, Natasha Gupta decided to put together a free CPR/AED training program at Duke. She's hoping to train all new students as they enter the university - meaning that within four years everyone at the school would be trained.

Now that's amazing. 

Watch the video about Natasha and her incredible project:

Meet Mista Twista...And Remix Him!

There's a fine line between the intentionally campy and the unintentionally, uh, awkward. And I'm sure the Central Illinois chapter knows the difference.

My belief is that they've crafted this completely awesome and totally amazing video with the hopes that it will go viral and be passed along for the humor while subtly educating viewers about tornado safety along the way. Check it out -- this really can't be missed.



Yes, Mista Twista, we wish you well on your journey from teaching kids in the classroom to humoring hipsters on YouTube.

And, as a tribute, we're asking our readers to put their sampling skills to the test by crafting their own MISTA TWISTA REMIX! We'll post 'em on the blog and maybe put something in the mail to thank you for your hard work.

Remix away and thanks to the Central Illinois chapter for providing such great inspiration!

Flickr Finds: Cooler Than Any Navel Ring

Found this while reading about MaNiC MoMMy's Virtual Blood Drive on Care-Aware's blog. A great image that I believe comes from MeanKitty82.

If you want your own body piercing, sign up to donate blood now.

There's also still time to participate in the virtual blood drive, where you could win a six day/five night stay at a luxury resort in Florida. The drive is running through Valentine's Day!

Disaster Action Team Responses

The Red Cross volunteers in Wasco County responded to a single family fire in Mosier., on Feb. 11 When the Red Cross volunteers arrived they assisted 1 adult with:

--A client assistance card to shop for groceries, clothing and seasonal garment.
--Lodging in a nearby motel.

Disaster Responses

A family in Helix, a town in Umatilla County had a fire in their mobile home. When the local Red Cross Volunteers arrived they assisted two adults with:

--A client assistance card to shop for groceries and clothing.

--The couple will stay with their daughter.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the major (and sometimes small, but interesting) international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of nice little bite-sized links for you...

[Trying out a new feature here. The ALL CAPS place names now link to maps so that you can get a quick idea of the region.]

AUSTRALIA: More than 400 Australian Red Cross volunteers are working in relief centers, providing food, first-aid, information and support to people affected by the massive brushfires. Approximately 5,000 people have so far registered with the Red Cross so that worried relatives can contact them.

SRI LANKA: Most of the Vanni region's population is now displaced and completely dependent on outside aid, yet none has reached the area since 29 January. The ICRC is calling on both parties to immediately allow food and other urgently needed items to reach those who are trapped. In the meantime, with the help of local authorities - including the local fishermen's union - the ICRC was able to evacuate 240 wounded and sick by sea after a hospital was shelled.

PHILIPPINES: The ICRC is very concerned for the safety of its three abducted staff members after gunfire occurred on Monday in the area they are reportedly being held. 

MADAGASCAR: Over 40 people have been killed and more than 350 wounded during anti-government demonstrations in the Madagascan capital Antananarivo. The ICRC is sending staff and medical supplies to support the relief work of the Malagasy Red Cross. 

ETHIOPIA: The IFRC and Ethiopian Red Cross Society are in a race against time to bring food aid to draught-stricken residents.

ZIMBABWE: Over 63,000 people have now contracted cholera. The ICRC is supporting health authorities' efforts to cope with the epidemic.

GAZA: The Egyptian Red Cross is preparing to shelter an estimated 10,000 people. 

GLOSSARY: 

ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross 

IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 

A Welcome To Boston's Video Blog

Lately we've been having a lot of conversations about video and how to tell our story in a more compelling, visual manner. And we've been trying to incorporate video wherever we can but, truth be told, our digital camera and Robin's laptop don't always make for the highest quality combination.

This is why I'm so blown away by one Red Cross chapter's new VIDEO blog. It's the Massachusetts Bay Chapter (Boston area, of course) and that team is incredibly lucky to have the production skills of Patrick Baldwin right on staff.

Patrick's the communications director and he's just getting started with blogging. They have two videos up so far, but I urge you to check them out. Very MTV, with quick cuts, upbeat music and loads of style.



I'm trying to convince Patrick to make some more generic Red Cross videos (or make two versions -- one that's chapter-specific and one that's not) so that we might be able to make use of his talents way over here on the West Coast.

What do you think of the video blog concept? And if you happen to live in Portland and have video production skills (or know someone who does), get in touch!

We Heart Disaster Movies!

It's totally true; combine a hunky hero (or heroine) with an epic natural disaster and Robin and I are there. In fact, we love disaster movies SO MUCH that we're thinking about planning a disaster movie marathon that you all can attend.

But more about that later...

I mention this because 2009 looks like a good year for disaster movies, though hopefully not real disasters. We've got 2012 coming in November (I guess the release date changed?), and according to this trailer, we've got Knowing with Nicolas Cage on March 20.



Sure, we can debate whether or not Nic is a hunky hero (I'd vote for definitely NOT), but this flick looks like it will contain -- not just one -- but MANY natural disasters. Did you spot what looks like Mount St. Helens??

Disaster Responses

On Tuesday a family's Mobile home had a fire, likely a total loss. The local American Red Cross volunteers arrived to assist the family of two adults and two children with:

--Lodging in a nearby motel.
--A client assistance card to shop for food and clothing.

He Was Black With Soot From Head To Toe...

That's how Michael Raper, Director of National Services and International Operations at the Australian Red Cross, describes the man who came in from the wildfires to register himself as safe and well so that his family would know he was okay. Hear the whole interview here.

If you're worried about missing loved ones in the Australian wildfire zone and would like us to help you contact them, email our international services caseworkers or call 503-284-1234.

NOTE: Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens should be directed to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.

Ham: It Can Save Your Life

No, not the pink and salty kind. This kind.

I was reading this article in the Clackamas Review and got to wondering about ham radio operators and how they work with the Red Cross. Unsurprisingly, we all work quite closely together, especially during large-scale disasters.

We have an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with both ARES and RACES for our area -- District 1 -- and our goal is to ensure that there's a ham operator present whenever we open a shelter. There are also a handful of hams that do double-duty as Red Cross volunteers. And, while taking the ham classes is FREE, taking the test to get licensed is not.

But I think what I love most is that people of all ages are living the ham lifestyle. Take, for example, Louise Evans (pictured), who will be 100 years old in March. According to the article, she most recently passed the test to renew her license when she was 97, in order to get involved “with the emergency part, to help them out in the county.”

And here's a story from Oregon's December 2007 storms that shows how these "amateurs" can make a real-life difference.

If you're interested in becoming a ham radio operator, I'd urge you to check out the ARES and RACES sites. We'd love to have your help when the big one hits Oregon!

Photo: Ellen Spitaleri / Clackamas Review

Poll: What Kind Of News Do You Want?

As you know, Robin and I recently jetted off to Chicago for a meeting with an incredibly awesome group of Red Cross communications professionals. We had folks from chapters around the country, our national headquarters and even representatives from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Much of our time was spent talking about two things -- the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and how we can share international news and create culturally-sensitive materials for our communities back home.

We're all for embracing multiculturalism here at the Oregon Trail Chapter (check out the video!), but we also know that our hearts belong to Oregon. We're constantly searching for the right balance of local, national and international here on the blog and we want to make sure we're hitting the mark.

Tell us what you think -- there's a poll in the top right corner just waiting for your vote!

Photo: Jenny Matthews/British Red Cross (p-BGD0243)

What the VISTA?!

The security at OTC is first-rate. Just minutes after some enthusiastic VISTA members climbed atop the American Red Cross sign, a guard walked out the revolving door asking that the (over?) zealous young men keep their feet on the ground. With an abundance of enthusiasm, zeal, and passion it has been difficult for many of the members of the Clara Barton VISTA Corps (CBVC) to keep their feet on the ground.

In 1963 President Kennedy first envisioned a domestic program modeled after the Peace Corps, and in 1964 Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) was created when President Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Then in 1993 Bill Clinton signed the National Community Service Trust Act creating AmeriCorps. Simultaneously, VISTA joined the program with two other branches- State and National and National Civilian Community Corps.

The Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross hosts the grant for the Clara Barton VISTA Corps that partners with a handful of organizations across the state. Through the Red Cross these partner organizations receive a VISTA position with a member who is not only available to bring the Red Cross into communities but also as a resource for achieving the VISTA goal of preventing and transitioning people away from poverty through indirect services such as sustainable program development, capacity building of organizations and communities, and understanding poverty by living it. One position of the thirteen-member team the CBVC is placed with the Red Cross and the Oregon Trail Chapter in Disaster Services.

The CBVC isn’t the only show in town. The OTC also hosts the grant for Oregon State Service Corps (OSSC) an AmeriCorps State program with the goal of addressing community needs through direct service in areas such as disaster preparedness and response, education, and health and human needs. Of the forty-five-member OSSC team, seven members are placed with the Red Cross- four with the OTC in Portland, one with the OTC in Astoria, and two with the Willamette Chapter in Salem.

After six months into the 2008-2009 service year the Clara Barton VISTA Corps has secured $51,096 of in-kind donations, has raised $97,094 of total cash funds, provided 318 hours of disaster response, organized 14 fundraising events, recruited 259 new volunteers, as well as written and submitted 17 grants, 4 of which were funded. Imagine what will happen if CBVC follows the advice of OTC security and gets their feet under them.

Wishing On A Star At Westminster

Here's a connection I never thought I'd get to share...the American Red Cross (and our very own Oregon Trail Chapter) will be represented at The 133rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show!

That's right -- our CFO/COO Karen Rassmussen is in New York for the big event, where she'll be showing off her pug in the Toy Group. Her name? LNL's Wishing On A Star, though I've heard she goes by Dolly for short.

If you want to watch Dolly and root for the Red Cross on the small screen, tune in to the USA Network tomorrow night at 8 p.m. Keep your fingers crossed for her to take home Best in Show...or at least Best of Breed!

What Does "CPR" Stand For?

You might be thinking "Cardiopulmonary Recuscitation," but according to this comic, you'd be wrong.

It's actually "Climate Protection Response," and if you haven't seen this Red Cross white paper on global climate change, you should totally check it out.