A Guitar Concert & CPR???

So last night I went to an incredible guitar concert at Mississippi Studios! Performing were 13-year old guitar prodigy and YouTube sensation, Sungha Jung, and the Acoustic Ninja, Trace Bundy. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend that you go see either (or both) of these incredibly talented musicians!



Midway through his set, Trace played a medley of pieces of songs, and one of the songs covered was Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees. As a Red Crosser, I immediately thought about CPR! Wait, a finger-style guitar concert reminded me of CPR? I definitely have Red Cross on the brain!

Here at the American Red Cross, we recommend that chest compressions be done at a rate of 100 beats per minute, which nearly perfectly matches the 103 beats per minute of the 70s disco song, Stayin' Alive! Upon hearing the catchy song, I practically had to sit on my hands in order to keep them from doing "air" compressions. While I admit that sounds a little nerdy, I think it's pretty amazing! People who listen to Stayin' Alive while practicing CPR compressions are more likely to perform the compressions correctly and to remember the correct speed weeks later.

I hope that I'm never in a situation that requires me to perform CPR, but thanks to this Bee Gees song, I will have the confidence to act, knowing that I can do the chest compressions correctly!

Willamette Week: Quake-Up Call

In the reasonably near future, perhaps within our lifetimes and quite possibly as soon as tomorrow, an earthquake will strike Portland with roughly the same force felt this month in Port-au-Prince.

But while the Jan. 12 Haitian quake lasted less than 40 seconds, the shaking in Portland will continue for at least four minutes. Portland will feel a quake with a strength, duration and destruction never before experienced in the developed Western world.

Our cataclysm will begin 75 miles off the Oregon coastline. The ocean floor will split, sending shock waves racing under the water as fast as 17,000 mph. Those shock waves, felt first as a rumble, will slam into Portland in 30 seconds. The rattling will grow into a pulsing undulation that will repeatedly shove the ground up and down as much as 6 feet.

Landslides will ensue in the West Hills, sending mansions crashing on top of each other. Several of the 10 bridges across the Willamette River will collapse—the Steel Bridge, Sellwood Bridge and Marquam Bridge, most likely—and the rest will be impassible. Big Pink and other office towers will sway so violently their granite and glass façades will shear off and crash into the street, piling rubble up 4 feet deep. The Multnomah County Courthouse will tumble. Underground gas, power and water lines will be pulverized. The soil beneath the Portland International Airport will temporarily turn to soup.

About half an hour later, a 30-foot wall of water will crash into the Oregon coastline, with the tsunami flooding as high as 100 feet above sea level, sweeping in and out for hours.

This is not a pitch for the next Hollywood disaster movie. It is the scientific consensus on what will happen here sooner or later. And the latest data suggest it may in fact be sooner.

Keep reading Aaron Mesh's Willamette Week article.

Remain Calm, Place Newspaper Over Head

This stick figure illustrated guide of what to do in case of a nuclear attack evidently comes from the early '80s. But it reminds me more of the 1957 PDX classic disaster flick, "A Day Called X."

According to the image, former Portland Mayor Frank Ivancie endorsed some strange advice, most notably that one should place a newspaper over their head. Does that really work? I have my doubts...

On the other hand, some of the tips seem fairly sound. During earthquakes, we recommend that you drop, cover and hold on...why not for nuclear attacks? Food and water for several weeks? Surely it would be helpful -- but maybe start small with just a 72 hour kit?

Since we don't have nuclear attack tips on our website, I'm passing along what we advise as related to terrorism. Read up!

Special thanks to mappeal for the original post and Mia for passing it along!

Oregon Research is Making Headlines!

At the Red Cross, we know that cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States - and through our health and safety training, continue to improve and update these standards as research allows. Just this morning, breaking news came out on an Oregon Health and Science University-led study on sudden unexpected death. Titled The Oregon Sudden Unexpected Death Study, it represents one of the most comprehensive looks at the condition ever conducted.

"We want to identify people before they experience sudden cardiac arrest, not after," says Dr. Jonathan Jui, an emergency medicine physician at OHSU and one of the leaders of the study. The research has made Portland residents some of the most closely watched populations in the world. Scientists at the "heart" of this study have discovered some incredible results, among them:

- That women are half as likely as men to show decreased heart pumping ability - which means women are also less likely to receive protective implantable defibrillators than their male counterparts.

- As a contrast to long-held assumptions about how physical activity can trigger cardiac arrest, an analysis of 300 cases last year found that people were sleeping or engaged in light activities at the time of their cardiac arrest. In fact, vigorous exercise was a potential factor in only 5 percent of cases!

- Residents in lower-income areas have a much higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest than those in more affluent neighborhoods, according to the study's results from 2006. Researchers state that decisions on anti-smoking campaigns and automatic defibrillator placement should reflect these results.

Additionally, this study aims to improve estimates of individual risk by combining information about heart rhythm, pumping ability, genetics and other factors.

"We have more than 2,500 cases, and DNA on at least half of them," Dr. Sumeet Chugh, study organizer, says. He considers the problem of sudden cardiac death his life's work. "We have this opportunity to prevent so many deaths," he says.

Information courtesy of OregonLive and OHSU.
Image courtesy of redcross.org.uk

"This Is Bagswell T. Ellington Reporting..."

Our friends over at @OzarksRedCross have a new volunteer and I'm already a fan.

His name is Bagswell T. Ellington and he's awfully cute. I love his vintage specs and tan complexion -- this is definitely one chap who doesn't have a face for radio.

He makes his debut in this video update about Haiti relief efforts. Watch and enjoy!

Why I Give: Claire Abraham

Claire Abraham donated $35 of her own money from her piggy bank to the Red Cross after hearing about what was happening to the children of Haiti. But she didn't stop there.

She went on to collect a total of $500 (!) by setting up a donation station at a PTA event for her school.

Claire came to our offices to drop off her check and mom conveyed that it was "a very good experience for her and wonderful opportunity to learn and show compassion."

Thanks for giving, Claire. Here's hoping your hard work inspires other kids to help as well!

A New Threat to the Pacific Northwest...

Every day I ask myself, how can I be a safer person? With danger lurking at every door, you can never be too careful. Yesterday, a true friend sent me a link to an unsung crisis in our own backyard...velociraptor attacks.

Yes, velociraptors, an emergency often reserved for Jurassic Park enthusiasts, is now a threat we all must defend against. The American Society for Velociraptor Attack Prevention claims that these prehistoric predators are now "commonly being sighted in the Pacific Northwest." While this may spur you to review red cross recommendations on emotional health, the raptor "society" offers these tips to the public:

1. Know the Enemy: The society states that "Velociraptors hunt in packs, and are known to form an equilateral triangle around its prey." Similar to Chuck Norris, the "society" also claims that velociraptors "do not know fear."
2. New Home Buyer Tips: Check for steel or solid oak doors, buy deadbolts for every entryway and stay near a loaded rifle and a tire iron. The "society" is very firm on this point, that one "should never be farther than 20 feet away from a tire iron." Much like pandemic flu preparedness, you may need to shelter-in-place with weeks worth of supplies.
3. Meet the Neighbors: Once you've prepared yourself and your home, you must research your surroundings. The "society" recommends you take this simple quiz to locate raptors in your own community.

If you're still not convinced of the threat, watch this "realistic-looking" youtube clip of raptor carnage on movie extras.

Graphic courtesy of www.velociraptors.info

A Different Kind of Graffiti

A friend shared this photo of "graffiti" in Haiti.

Pretty poignant.

To all of you who have donated your time, effort, and/or money to the relief efforts... merci.

On Beer, Pregnant Women and CPR...

Q: What do you get when you combine 11 pregnant women and an Oregon brewery?

A: An infant CPR class for new parents, of course!

Sure, it's not a great punchline, but it's the honest truth. Here's the scoop:

Carrie Benson was interested in attending the New Parent class at Milagros here in Portland, but wondered if she could host her own in Hood River instead.

We said sure and Carrie went to work, gathering up 11 of her friends from yoga and other baby classes. The fine folks at Double Mountain Brewery then generously donated a room for the training (but no adult beverages, we promise!).

Carrie's training will take place tomorrow, but yours can take place any time. Just get in touch, pick which class you want and round up a few friends. We'll do it in the comfort of your home, your office...or your favorite brewpub.

Photo courtesy of MestreechCity

Onè Respe, A Photographic Benefit

We've all seen the recent photos from Haiti -- wreckage, injuries and heartbreak.

Every day, it becomes harder to recall the beauty of the country and its people, as colorful memories are replaced with grim image after image.

That's why I'm so drawn to Haiti: Onè Respe, A Photographic Benefit for the Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake.

According to the website, the title comes from a traditional Haitian greeting meaning "honor and respect." Several photographers, including photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark, have donated photographs to create this collection of images. And since MagCloud has paid for the printing costs, the purchase price is donated in full to the American Red Cross for Haiti relief.

Go here to see the preview and take a moment to remember just how this captivating country has changed forever.

Why I Give: John Paris

Meet John Paris.

John's birth name is actually Jean-Robert; he was born and raised in Haiti and came to Portland in 1960 at just 8 years old. He feels fortunate that he was able to find a way here.

While John has never been back to Haiti, he does still have family in outlying areas. The rest of his family is spread throughout the United States. While he doesn't know if anyone was injured in the recent earthquake, he does know that his aunt and uncle have been very down for the past week.

As John says, "Since I can't board a plane, I'm doing what I can from this end." That includes making a donation to the American Red Cross, an organization whose reputation he trusts.

Thanks to John and the many others who have supported Haiti relief efforts over the past week. Your dollars are making a difference.

"Red For Relief" Raises $8K+

Last weekend, we painted the Pearl "Red For Relief."

It was incredible to see so many terrific businesses involved -- from coffee (BARISTA) to shoes (Imelda's) to food (50 Plates) and clothes (Bubble Boutique). There was no doubt that you could spend the whole day doing SOMETHING to help....

...and the great news is that you did!

All told, the fundraiser brought in $8,166.58 for Red Cross Haiti earthquake relief efforts. Incredible!

Very special thanks to Lisa Watson (above, left) and Peter Shanky (above, middle) from Cupcake Jones for spearheading the efforts. Alexis (middle) will make sure those many checks get assistance to Haitians as quickly as possible!

P.S. There are still many fun ways to support Haiti relief. To see the current list, visit www.oregonredcross.org/events.

Something Old, Something New...

I have officially taken the plunge. Yes, I'm now the proud owner of an iPhone and, as such, can no longer endlessly tease Robin on Ready Radio.

But when I'm not busy downloading life-saving apps, I've put a little time into thinking about what I should do with my old cell phone.

If you've been wrestling with this dilemma yourself, I've got a solution -- send it to Phones For Haiti.

From the website: ReCellular will give 100% of the phone value as a contribution to the American Red Cross. In addition, qualifying phones will be refurbished and supplied to aid groups working in Haiti. All phones are accepted, though newer phones will provide the most value to the charity – in some cases $100 or more.

Pretty cool, right?

And once you've passed along your old phone, I've got a tip for dressing up your new one (well, if it's an iPhone, that is).

Check out these very cool collectible cases from Uncommon. Each one is $39.95 and 100% of the proceeds go to Red Cross relief in Haiti.

Honestly, all seven designs are pretty sweet. I can't pick a favorite. Maybe I'll find six friends, get them all and then periodically swap? You in?

"Men anpil chay pa lou"

"Many Hands Make the Load Lighter". This message is starkly relevant today as we all pull together what we can to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti. It is also the theme of an awesome benefit project put together by Threadless. The concept is simple: a really cool tee based on Haitian street art that will give 100% of it's proceeds (up to $100,000.00!) to the Red Cross Haiti relief effort.

Threadless invited two designers from the Dominican Republic to design the tee and also enlisted help from Shirts Our Business for printing time and ink. The designers are donating their fee to the Red Cross and the printing time and ink is donated too!

This stylish tee is something I would totally wear any day, but knowing the good it does I might get two! (Early birthday present for my sister? Hmm....) Also, it's pretty light on the budget at only $10 a pop.

News of this project is already blowing up on Twitter and T-shirts are going fast! You can make your own contribution to the relief in Haiti (and sport a sweet tee) by clicking here

photo courtesy of: threadless.com

Trapped Under Rubble? There's An App For That...

If you've listened to our Ready Radio podcast, you probably know that nearly every episode features an iPhone app that relates to preparedness.

You might think this is just silly stuff -- after all, an app can't really save your life in a disaster...or can it?

Meet Dan Woolley, an American who used a medical app to treat a leg injury after the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince collapsed around him.




According to this story, Woolley used the light from his iPhone to show him his injuries and diagnosed it properly as a broken foot. Then, he used the instructions from the app to treat the excessive bleeding from cuts on his legs and the back of his head.

Woolley also used his camera to take pictures of the surrounding rubble to piece together a way out. He eventually took refuge in an elevator shaft until rescue crews found him 65 hours after the earthquake.

So before you go thinking that the apps we recommend are just fluff, take a moment to download a few, just in case. Get some recommendations here, here and here. This might be prepare-aphernalia you literally can't live without.

P.S. Buy apps, help Haiti. Get 'em at http://www.indierelief.com/ today and your money goes to disaster relief efforts. Cool!

Free Seminar: International Humanitarian Law

Have you ever wondered if there are laws of war? Is torture illegal? What are the Geneva Conventions? Are there protected groups during an armed conflict? If a child is holding a hand grenade, is he protected by International Humanitarian Law?




Learn the answers to these questions and more at a free Introduction to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) seminar!

Sunday, January 24
9 am to 2 pm
American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter
3131 N. Vancouver Ave., Portland
Cost: FREE (but space is limited, so RSVP today!)

A milestone in tweeting, and a special Thank You!

Last night I was looking at the news and something struck my eye! In this new age of technology and social media, we are seeing all sorts of new ways for interactions to take place. Facebooking, Tweeting, MySpacing, and other questionable verbs take place every day. Social media was even a major part of the Presidential Election, with President Obama being considered very tech savvy. However, it has been revealed that it was not in fact Obama sending those tweets.

According to CNN, history was made yesterday as President Obama became the first commander-in-chief to "tweet" a message. In response to the disaster in Haiti and the previous call for support made by his wife, President Obama made a visit to the Red Cross disaster response operations center in Washington, DC. A new media staffer prepared a tweet to announce his arrival, and asked the President to hit the 'update' button and make history.

He then went on to make a public thank you to the American Red Cross and all of those that have made contributions to the Haiti relief effort over the last week. See the video below to see it for yourself!

Help for Haiti from Portland and Beyond

The tragic earthquake in Haiti is like no other disaster in history. The ICRC and many other agencies are on the ground working tirelessly in the relief effort. In such times, glimmers of hope come from volunteers both near and far:

High school students at Franklin High School began a fundraiser last week, and have to date raised over $500 in donations for the Red Cross!

Also in Portland, Idealist.org's Amy Potthast decided to connect her MLK Day service project to the earthquake in Haiti. As Portland itself is an earthquake-vulnerable region, Amy and her family took off through their neighborhood to inform residents of disaster and earthquake preparedness! She also uploaded project information, which is available online for others to share.

On the ground in Haiti, there are countless stories of survival, compassion and altruism. In particular, I wanted to share an article on the Haitian Red Cross, which I think illustrates how unique and inspiring it is that National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies exist in nearly every country in the world. In the article, local Haitian volunteers set up a first aid station in a garage near the quake's epicenter. Rita Aristide, a Haitian Red Cross volunteer since 1999, stated, “It may not be the best place with all these cars around but plenty of people are coming in and we are caring for them.”

Photo courtesy of the Flickr site of the American Red Cross

Eat Cupcakes, Help Haiti

Over the weekend, our friend Lisa Watson at Cupcake Jones organized a tremendous fundraiser for Haiti earthquake relief.

Not only did she convince several other Pearl District businesses to donate a portion of proceeds from their sales on Saturday, Jan. 16, she also donated 100% from the sale of red velvet cupcakes! And, OMG, that turned out to be close to $5000!

We couldn't resist the Red Velvet/Red Cross opportunity, so we put the word out via Twitter for a "cupcake brunch" tweet-up. Check out the photos right here!

Update: Jordan's Heading Home From Haiti

Remember my friend Jordan in Haiti?

I know many of you have kept him in your thoughts over the past week, so I thought I'd provide another update.

I heard from Jordan directly on Monday night. He liked the blog post (and all your well-wishes!) and wanted you to know that he's coming home this week. This is actually due to Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) policy -- he'd actually prefer to stay there and help.

As I type, he's in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. His team should be there for about three days to talk through the trauma with MSF psychologists. Then he'll be off to New York...and then home to Portland, hopefully by the weekend. And , no worries -- there's another team of MSF volunteers already on the ground to take over and keep up the efforts that Jordan's group started.

When Jordan gets back, I know he's wanting to share his experience. I'm sure we'd all like to know what it's really like on the ground, what's needed to help and what it's like to live through a major earthquake.

Here's hoping I can convince Jordan to write a post for our blog -- if you have questions for him, leave them in the comments and I'll do my best to get them answered!

P.S. Special thanks to Jordan's mom Mary for giving me a call with updates. I'll bet she'll be relieved to have him home...but so very proud of his efforts!

P.P.S. You may have noticed that we have a new banner at the top of the blog. If you'd like a web banner or button yourself, you can download them right here. It's a great, simple way to help make a difference for Haiti.

Waiting For the Call That Could Save His Life

Kenneth Branch used to play basketball everyday. It was his favorite activity, along with road tripping with friends. These days, instead of hitting the court or the road, Kenneth spends most of his time undergoing dialysis treatments for kidney failure. He—along with 81,884 other Americans—is on the kidney transplant waiting list.

In 1996 at the age of 16, Kenneth’s kidneys completely shut down. He wasn’t feeling well during class, but tried his best to ignore the pain; he really didn’t want to miss playing basketball later that day. Kenneth realized he had more than just a stomach ache when he felt too ill to even dribble a ball. A few hours later, he was in an emergency room.

A year after Kenneth’s kidneys stopped functioning, his mother was able to donate a kidney to her son. The transplant was a short-lived success; four years later, Kenneth was again in need of a kidney. He has been on the kidney transplant waiting list for nine years.

“It’s just a waiting game,” says Kenneth about being on the transplant list. “It’s an up and down thing. Every time the phone rings, you hope it’s the call you’re waiting for to tell you they’ve found a match for your transplant.” Although Kenneth says he tries to be optimistic, he also admits that waiting can be rough at times: “It’s stressful. I’m always thinking ‘Is this the call?’ Especially if my phone rings and it’s a number I don’t recognize.”

In the meantime, while Kenneth waits for the call that could save his life, he must go through frequent dialysis treatments. Dialysis is a medical procedure that artificially conducts functions of a healthy kidney, such as ridding the body of waste and unwanted water from the blood. The process is exhausting for Kenneth and causes frequent cramping throughout his body. But it’s something he has to do, “just like a part time job.” Kenneth spends three days a week for four hours at a time undergoing dialysis treatments. “The dialysis unit employees become your second family,” he says. “I spend more time there than I do at home.”

Despite all of the physical and emotional stress Kenneth has experienced during the past 14 years, he remains hopeful about his future. “I try to keep my mind focused on positive things instead of negatives,” says Kenneth, “I just know that one day I’m going to get that call.”

Eighteen people in the United States will die today awaiting an organ transplant. Donate Life Northwest urges people to help save lives like Kenneth’s by signing up to be on the Donate Life Northwest Organ, Eye and Tissue Registry. For more information about the registry, visit DonateLifeNW.org or call 1.800.452.1369.

Those who wish to speak to a Donate Life Northwest representative in person will have the opportunity to do so at the "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blood, Bone Marrow and Organ Donor Registry Drive" on Saturday, January 23 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Red Cross Portland Donor Center (3131 N. Vancouver Ave.). If you'd like to make an appointment to donate blood at this special event, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or click here. 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.

Photo: Kenneth Branch, 30, of Vancouver, WA has been waiting for a kidney transplant since 2001.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day... how will you celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. King?

At the Red Cross, we will be hosting a "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blood, Bone Marrow & Organ Donor Registry Drive" next Saturday, January 23, from 7:30am-1:00pm at the Portland Donor Center. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., event attendees can donate blood, learn more about organ donation, and sign up for the organ donor registry. Roosevelt High School Power Academy Health Club students will also offer free health screenings and information on heart disease, hypertension, stress, diabetes and cholesterol.

To find out more about the "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blood, Bone Marrow & Organ Donor Registry Drive," click here. To make an appointment to donate blood at this event, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or make an appointment online.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?' - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Eat, Drink, Shop and Support Disaster Relief

Leave it to Portlanders to find creative ways to support disaster relief!

- The PDX Neat Sheet has posted an ongoing list of local boutiques donating a portion of their proceeds to relief efforts (either via Red Cross or Mercy Corps in most cases). Shops include Milagros (who also hosts our Infant CPR classes!), Loyly Sauna & Steam, Clever Cycles, Xtabay Vintage and lots more!

- We're currently ironing out the details of Paint The Pearl "Red For Relief" - an all-day Saturday event for which Bishops Barbershop, Cupcake Jones, Imelda's, Jinx Lounge & Vault Martini Bar will donate proceeds to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. Red velvet cupcakes for all!

- Local Etsy designer Kaleah Ott has yet again offered her amazing talents to fashion purses out of pop tops! $100 from the sale of each incredible bag will be donated to Red Cross Haiti earthquake relief efforts. See them here and here.

If you're an artist, business owner, food cart vendor, musician or any other type of Portlander who wants to support earthquake relief efforts, we'd love to chat with you. Get in touch anytime!

Breaking The Piggy Bank

I just had to share this with you guys...

This little boy, Jamie, just now came into our office with a donation - of his own money - for the relief efforts in Haiti.

Apparently, after he saw news about the devastation he asked his mom if they could donate. She told him that they already had (thanks, Mom!), but that he could give his piggy bank money if he wanted.

And so he did - arriving in our office with an assortment of coins in his hands and a smile on his face. Alexis (also pictured above) accepted the donation and explained that it would help us to provide things like big pallets of food, medicine, or supplies that arrive on big planes. You could see his eyes start to get wide at the thought.

Such a sweet moment.

FYI, the American Red Cross has now committed $10 million to the relief efforts in Haiti. If you want to help, you can:

• Give a little from your own piggy bank. We've set up a short link at oregonredcross.org/Haiti

• Or text “Haiti” to 90999 to send a ten dollar donation to the Red Cross. So far Americans have given more than $3 million dollars via text! And at least 1 percent of that giving has come from Oregonians! (Which makes it $30,000 right? My brain is a bit too worn out for math right now.)

• Post a banner on your website encouraging people to support the relief efforts.

Thinking Of Jordan In Haiti...

It's one thing to see photos of a disaster. It's another thing to know someone who's on the ground.

As I catch my breath after a busy morning, I've got a little time to think about my friend Jordan Wiley, who's in Haiti working for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders).

Jordan's an incredible guy. When he's not working for MSF, he's back here in Portland, helping out with our Red Cross Emergency Warming Center. You can read his volunteer profile here.

This is Jordan's fourth trip with MSF and he's used to danger. He's been in Nigeria and Sudan and now is in the heart of the affected area, Port au Prince. His team runs a stand alone trauma hospital that's open 24/7 and includes three operating rooms and the nation's only burn center. All care is provided free of charge.

Jordan is in charge of Logistics, organizing all the support structure for the medical work to be carried out. The job includes includes Safety, Security, Water, Sanitation, Electricity, Fleet, BioMedical, Supply, Infrastructure and some Administration.

The good news is that I've confirmed that Jordan and his team are safe. I also know that right now is the time when the MSF trauma hospital and Jordan's leadership and expertise are needed most.

Please keep Jordan and his team in your thoughts. Like the Red Cross, the work they'll be doing is life-saving.

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

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

HAITI: A 7.3 earthquake struck Haiti, yesterday. Up to 3 million people may be affected. The IFRC has people on the ground and has pre-positioned relief supplies for 3,000 families in Haiti.

The ICRC's warehouse in Haiti has been damaged. They'll be sending more staff and supplies, and have set up a website for people seeking to restore contact with family members after the earthquake.

The American Red Cross has pledged $1 million dollars to the relief efforts and has released supplies (such as tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets) from a warehouse in Panama to meet the immediate needs of 5,000 families. Check the Disaster Online Newsroom for the latest on the American Red Cross response.

KENYA: The IFRC and Kenya Red Cross Society are still helping thousands after floods caused destruction and chaos in many parts of the country.

AFGHANISTAN: Efforts to help detainees received a boost when the ICRC visited people in Taliban custody for the first time since 2001. Other recent activities in the field include water sanitation, limb-fitting and rehabilitation, food distribution, and promoting international humanitarian law. Read the full report.

YEMEN: Harsh weather worsens the plight of civilians in the conflict zone, leading to increased risk of respiratory infection - especially for children - as the ICRC continues to assist with food, water, supplies and medical care.

NEPAL: The ICRC organized a four-day emergency-room trauma course in Kathmandu to improve medical care for people injured in violence, natural disasters or traffic accidents.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: The ICRC has facilitated the release and transfer of six Congolese army personnel who had been detained by armed groups in North and South Kivu provinces.

GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

¡Campaña de Donación de Sangre!

¿Saben ustedes que los latinos tienen la capacidad para ayudar a salvar muchas vidas a través de la donación de sangre, sin embargo, menos del uno por ciento de la población latina en realidad dona sangre?

Más de la mitad (57%) de la población latina tiene sangre que es de grupo sanguíneo O, que es el grupo sanguíneo que proporciona mayor compatibilidad los demás grupos sanguíneos para transfusiones de sangre. Cerca del ochenta por ciento de la población de EE.UU. puede recibir sangre de tipo O positivo, y las personas de todos los tipos de sangre-positiva o negativa, pueden recibir sangre de tipo O negativo. La sangre de tipo O negativo se utiliza a menudo en situaciones de emergencia y para ayudar a salvar las vidas de víctimas de accidentes y de bebés prematuros.

La Cruz Roja se invita a los latinos del área de Portland a donar sangre este sábado el 16 de enero, de 7:30 a 1:00 pm en el Centro de Donación de la Cruz Roja Americana de Portland, ubicado en la 3131 N. Vancouver Avenue.

Los que se presenten a donar sangre pueden disfrutar de comida mexicana gratuita en la zona de la cantina y recibirán un descuento del 15% para un artículo de la Tienda en línea del Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter. También habrá actividades especiales para niños, incluyendo películas, clases de dibujo y de fabricación de botones.

Esta campaña de donación de sangre especial no se limita a la comunidad latina; como con cualquier campaña de donación de la Cruz Roja Americana, las personas de todas las etnias y todos los tipos de sangre se encuentran invitados a presentarse a donar sangre.

Para programar una donación de sangre en esta campaña de donación patrocinada por la comunidad Latina, por favor llame al 503-528-5989. Para aprender más sobre la donación de sangre y la Cruz Roja Americana, visite http://www.redcrossblood.org/ o http://www.cruzrojamericana.org/.

For those of you who have no idea what we're talking about, click here!

Earthquake in Haiti: A Photo Essay

Two ways you can help:

• Text "HAITI" to 90999 on your cell phone to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts.

• Make a gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Singles CPR: Now Shorter And Cheaper!

Is it too early to be sad and depressed about spending Valentine's Day alone...again? Yeah, I didn't think so.

But here's something that might bring a little spring to your step -- Singles CPR will return on February 14!

This time we're headed to the Genoa Room at Hotel Lucia, thanks to the partnership of the fine folks at Typhoon!. Class participants will mix and mingle at Bo Asian Bistro, enjoy light appetizers from Typhoon!, truffles from Pix Patisserie and a ton of pretty fantastic doorprizes.

They'll also get a free two-week membership to the Portland Mercury's Lovelab Personals...the best place in PDX to hook a hipster.

What's more, this year's event is shorter and cheaper, and there's nothing not to like about that. We'll teach you the skills to save a life in just two hours and at the low, low price of $20. That's 1/2 the time and 1/2 the cost of previous Singles CPR events.

Why the cuts? Because our intention has always been to get as many people as possible trained and we didn't want time or $$ to stand in the way. $40 was a lot to spend when you don't need certification; in this economy, $20 is an easier investment.

And speaking of certification, let me be clear. This is not a certification class. However, you can apply the $20 cost to a full certification course, so you're really not losing out on anything. Best of both worlds, I say.

I'd advise you to sign up for Singles CPR now, 'cuz judging from last year, this will be a full house and one holiday celebration you won't want to miss!

Image courtesy of the fabulous Gabriela Camerotti!

A Note of Gratitude from Hillsboro

Yesterday, I opened a letter from Aglow International in Hillsboro, a small church that requested a presentation on emergency preparedness back in July (yes, long ago in that '00 decade). To receive a handwritten thank you note was unexpected enough...yet as I opened the letter, a check for a generous donation fell out! After sending the check to the accounting office, I promptly wrote a thank you note back and now, the least I could do is recognize Aglow International's philanthropy with our blog readers. It's inspiring to know that even half a year later, this group both recalled the red cross presentation AND felt motivated enough to send a check towards continuing the red cross mission.

Image courtesy of wpyr.com

Platelet Donor Spotlight: Randy Stone

Today I met a platelet donor from Vancouver named Randy. In addition to donating platelets, Randy sometimes donates whole blood, too. Randy is a relatively new donor; his first whole blood donation was about a year ago. He is enthusiastic about donating blood products and was very eager to share his donor story with me. He hopes it will inspire you to help save a life...

Name: Randy Stone
Occupation: Real estate broker
Hometown: Hollywood, CA
Currently living in: Vancouver, WA

When did you start donating blood?
A year ago.

Why did you start donating?
How I got started donating blood and platelets was really a fluke... [my wife and daughter] were showing me my daughter’s new school. We thought we would just drive by there one Saturday morning and look around on our way to do other things. As it turns out, The American Red Cross was having a blood drive that day, at that time. I donated because I wanted to teach our daughter that it is good to give blood and good to be charitable at heart.

What was your first Red Cross blood donation experience like?
The Red Cross Nurse got the needle in so quickly and easily, I barely noticed when my pint donation was already halfway complete. Later, she told me that I had a good platelet count and that it would be very valuable to save the life of a very ill person. She said that patients undergoing a bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, or an organ transplant often need platelets in order to survive and that platelets, unlike whole blood, last only five days from when they are donated.

How often do you donate?
As often as possible. I am scheduled to give platelets and whole blood several times over the next month.

Why do you donate platelets and blood?
I want to be that good person who donates and helps someone else get better. I have never needed to receive blood or blood products. But loved ones have and I am very grateful to the good people who donated.

What's your favorite part about donating?
It is very easy to give whole blood and platelets. With whole blood, you are in and gone quickly. With platelets, you can relax and watch your favorite DVD or catch up on news or any TV show.

Anything you'd like to tell those out there who haven't tried to donate blood?
Please donate at least once, as soon as you can. Someone may need your gift to help save his/her life.

Photo: Randy getting cozy with a blanket and a movie while a nurse preps him for his platelet donation.

Are 9-1-1 Operators Ready For Your Call?

Last week, the Today Show took on a very scary topic -- whether 9-1-1 operators are ready to walk you through a medical emergency.

The story focused on the tragic story of a mother’s call for help when she found her young son strangling in their backyard soccer net. Ultimately her son died, but she felt he could have been saved had the 9-1-1 call taker been able to provide her with CPR instructions.

The City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) provides 9-1-1 services in our area and assures residents that BOEC call takers are trained to provide medical pre-arrival instructions, including step-by-step first aid and/or CPR instructions. Read more about what BOEC does here.

But the bottom line remains. You shouldn't have to rely on an operator to walk you through CPR. Get trained yourself and be ready to save a life.

The Constant Need for O-Negative Blood

Only 7 percent of people in the U.S. have type O-negative blood. O-negative blood donors are called "universal donors" because their blood can be given to people of all blood types. O-negative type blood is especially important for helping save the lives of accident victims and newborn babies.

If you're out there reading this and you have O-negative blood, please make an appointment to donate. Please also encourage your friends and family members with type O-negative blood to consider donating with you. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment. Hospital patients could be counting on your support.

It's Time To Vote In The Shorty Awards!

I just got the nicest phone call.

The Health & Safety Director at the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross wanted to make sure that we were aware of the Shorty Awards, honoring those who have terrific tweets. He thought we'd make for a great nomination, which is hugely flattering.

If you're interested in voting for the Shorty Awards, there are some great chapters tweeting out there, including @RedCrossSELA and @OzarksRedCross.

But if you happen to be interested in nominating us, I've tried to make it easy! Create your own tweet or feel free to use one of the suggestions below.

As always, thanks for your ongoing virtual support!

--------------------

I nominate @RedCrossPDX in #nonprofit because they’re making preparedness relevant and fun. #shortyawards

I nominate @RedCrossPDX in #nonprofit because they’ve actively supported community events like the @PortlandPieOff. #shortyawards

I nominate @RedCrossPDX in #nonprofit for their emergency blood drive tweet-up that helped save lives. #shortyawards

I nominate @RedCrossPDX in #nonprofit because they make the Red Cross the RAD Cross. #shortyawards

I nominate @RedCrossPDX in #nonprofit because they're helping me be prepared for anything. #shortyawards

Blood Donor Spotlight: David McGrew

In honor of National Blood Donor Month, I thought it would be fun to feature a few blood donor stories on the blog.

Meet blood donor David McGrew, a 28-year-old real estate broker from Portland. In addition to being an incredibly dedicated blood donor (he donates as often as possible), he also happens to be one of the funniest and raddest people I know. (I'm not sure if "raddest" is technically a word, but it's completely necessary in describing David.) Our friendship goes way back to the late 80s, and includes Hypercolor t-shirts, Street Fighter II, family trips to Black Butte, and competitive games of Spoons.

The Red Cross Portland Donor Center is located near David's work, so I see him here with his parents (also blood donors, and two of the finest people I know) about every two months. Here's what David has to say about being a blood donor:

How do you spend your time when you're not at work or donating blood?

Following my Oregon Ducks and Portland Trailblazers, playing basketball, and hanging out with my friends.

What's your blood type?

AB+

When did you start donating blood?

2007

Why did you start donating?

My grandmother's life was prolonged due to other people's donations, so it seemed like the right thing to do. Additionally, my parents had been donors for a long time.

How often do you donate?

Every two months.

Do you know how many pints you've given?

11

Why do you donate blood?

It's an easy way to help save lives and make a difference.

What's your favorite part about donating blood?

I go with my mom and dad, so it's cool to do it as a family.

Anything you'd like to tell those out there who haven't tried to donate blood?

Just try it once. It takes very little time, and you only have to go every couple months. There are a lot of people out there that need blood, so every pint helps make a difference.

Thanks to David for being one of the raddest blood donors around (and for letting me feature you on the blog!)

P.S. If you're looking for a house in the Portland area, David's definitely the guy to call.

Photo: David at an Oregon ducks game.

Have You Seen The Driver Of This Vehicle?

Can you guess what this is?



It's one of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's "landmark objects." There are only six featured in the museum; this one's on the third floor of the east wing.

Sure, it's a Red Cross ambulance. But this particular ambulance was owned by our incredible founder, Ms. Clara Barton.

According to the museum, the ambulance is one of 11 vehicles purchased by the Central Cuban Relief Committee of New York for use by Clara Barton and the American National Red Cross.

The committee sent the ambulance to Camp Thomas, an army debarkation camp in Chickamauga, Georgia, before the 1898 outbreak of the Spanish-American War. The Red Cross nurses at Camp Thomas helped care for U.S. Army soldiers called to Cuba, many of whom suffered that summer from typhoid. After the war, the Red Cross sent this ambulance to Clara Barton for use at her home in Glen Echo, Maryland, the organization’s headquarters and distribution center for relief supplies.

A quote from Clara: “The war side of war could never have called me to the field. I hate it. Only the desire to soften some of its hardships and allay some of its miseries ever induced me . . . dare its pestilent and unholy breath.”

A Vampire Blood Bank

It's official- we are in the middle of a 'Vampire' craze.

Not even a new year can change that, and this blog is filled with examples. Vampire Diaries, TruBlood, Twilight, I am Legend, Blade, Underworld, and many other stories have touched us as both books and on the screen.

What is the appeal of Vampires? They are strong, they tend to be evil, with a sense of mystery and darkness. Humanity is the prey, with blood as their key to survival and with all their strengths why don't they seem to win any battles versus the 'day walkers'?

This Friday 'Daybreakers' premieres, a film that takes the concept of Vampires winning against Humanity and explores the resulting society. Vampires don't grow old and require nourishment that is not so easy to obtain.

The focus of the film seems to be on the role of blood banks in a Vampire society with a strong demand and dwindling supply. Just as with the real blood banks, in the film blood cannot be manufactured and has to be supplied by living, unconverted Humans.

The film also portrays a supply of blood with only a few days left, something the real blood banks are constantly dealing with. Additionally, the need is always constant because blood units only last up to 42 days (and platelets only last up to five!).

The Red Cross may be the nation's largest blood bank, but we promise we're not Vampires. The Red Cross prides itself on only using voluntary donations from donors that are appreciated for their incredible generosity. Besides, Vampires couldn't associate themselves with an organization that has the cross as it's symbol!

Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up

Welcome to the Worldwide Wednesday Wrap-Up, in which we consolidate the international Red Cross and Red Crescent news into one list of bite-sized links for you. It's a non-comprehensive sampling of the larger and/or more intriguing aspects of our global work...

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

TANZANIA: Floods ushered in the new year, displacing more than 1,000 people, and affecting as many as 25,000. With support from the IFRC, the Tanzanian Red Cross Society is providing search and rescue assistance, relocation assistance, emergency shelter and supplies like blankets, water buckets, water purification tablets and cooking sets.

SRI LANKA: "Being a Red Cross volunteer has given me the opportunity to help others who were in the same situation I was in,” says a woman named Fowza, who survived the 2004 tsunami and then became a volunteer with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.

TAJIKISTAN: A medium strength earthquake has left hundreds of people without homes. With support from the IFRC, the Red Crescent Society of Tajikistan is providing relief supplies like winterized tents, construction tool kits,tarps, bed-linen sets, mattresses, pillows, cooking sets, shovels, hoes, water cans and hygiene kits.

GLOSSARY:
ICRC = International Committee of the Red Cross
IFRC = International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

Celebrate National Blood Donor Month!

There are a lot of weird holidays out there. January is National Hot Tea Month, National Oatmeal Month, and National Soup Month. These celebrations might sound warm and tasty, but can they help save a life? Although I’ll definitely be grateful each time I dip a grilled cheese in a zesty bowl of tomato bisque this month, I’ll also be celebrating a more important holiday: National Blood Donor Month.

Do you donate blood? If so, we want to thank you for your generosity. Each pint you give can help save the lives of three other people—what you do is truly amazing. We’d love to know more about why you donate blood. Please share your story at our new RedCrossBlood.org website.

In addition to the obvious life-saving reasons for donating blood, I give because I’m charitable, yet cheap (just being honest!). I don’t have a whole lot of money, and giving blood is the most economical and the easiest way for me to help others.

So eat some soup, sip some tea, and enjoy some oatmeal this month... but don't forget to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit RedCrossBlood.org to make a potentially life-saving blood donation appointment.

Happy (weird) holidays!

Photo courtesy of House of Sims on Flickr

Blood And Ink

What's more valuable -- life-saving blood...or printer ink?

Well, according to the fine folks at Geekologie and consumerist, it's the ink. In fact, according to this chart, you'd be better off printing your documents in blood than in HP Black Ink #45.



Yeah, that's totally gross and completely wasteful, but admittedly interesting. And while the chart might pinpoint a pricetag for blood, the reality is that it's truly priceless. Whereas black ink just...isn't.

Blood is a precious commodity and one of the few liquids on earth that can save lives. Yet people willingly and generously give it up for those in need every day.

So, sure, hoard your HP Black Ink #45 and give us your blood. We'll happily take it.

Winter Prepare-aphernalia: Vodka And Rum De-Icer

We've seen the classic images of St. Bernards carrying casks of brandy to rescue and revive travelers stuck on a treacherous mountain pass. And there's no question that mulled wine and hot toddies provide warmth on the coldest of days.

So it should be no surprise that this prepare-aphernalia puts alcohol to good use in winter weather.

That's right -- now you can de-ice your driveway with a product made from vodka and rum byproducts.

According to this article, a scientist at an Eastern European vodka factory noticed how the pond behind the distillery never froze. After realizing the phenomenon was due to the sugary leftover swill that collects in the pond, the chemist figured out how to turn the mush into a de-icer.

The article goes on to explain that Magic Minus Zero can be applied directly to pavement before a snowstorm, or sprayed onto rock salt to neutralize the salt's corrosive nature and double the salt's impact. It melts snow and ice in temperatures to -35° F and is less corrosive than distilled water, doesn't harm equipment or roads, destroy carpeting or flooring, or kill plants as rapidly as rock salt.

In fact, the company claims that it's so safe that it's edible before it's sprayed on salt, but the bitter/sour taste makes it unpalatable for animals.

The sticky brown syrup smells like soy sauce, but contains no actual alcohol. Go ahead -- invite your friends over for a de-icing party this winter...just makes sure they BYOB!

Red Cross Wish List: 2010

As 2009 and "the double ohs" decade closed, many reflected on our world's progress in the last year. While browsing my Popular Science Magazine listserv around NYE*, I was blown away by 2009's incredible offerings of science, technology and more. So, for Red Cross blog readers near and far, I now give you my prepare-aphernalia wish list for the Portland Red Cross!

Disasters
-Israeli scientists have created a cell phone tower system that hones flood predictability down to an hour prior to its impact.
- Survivor Buddy, a Texas A & M University invention, seeks out and communicates between survivors and search and rescue workers!
- Bristol Uniforms, a UK company, has created a fireproof uniform that is 30 percent lighter than its US counterparts, allowing for breathability, comfort and fire protection.

First Aid and Cardiac Emergencies
- SAM Medical's Celox Trauma Gauze will seal gashes and cool burns simultaneously by absorbing 16 times its weight in blood and, once applied to water, evaporates into a gel that cools wounds for up to 20 hours. (This may be the best "just-add-water" invention since Instant Snow...a nice holiday gift for those in tropical environs.)
- 3M/Littman has created the Electronic Stethescope in combination with Zargis Cadioscan. By amplifying heart beats and recognizing abnormalities in heart murmurs, this stethoscope literally never misses a beat! Once it detects the lubs and dubs of your heart, the device transmits the information to the doctor by Bluetooth and a near real-time graph on PC screens!

Flu Pandemics
-For those aware of the germs among us, Purleve's Hygienic Door Knob has a self-cleaning design that brings you comfort in bacteria-laden places such as public restrooms.
-Filligent Limited has created the BioMask, an unprecedented flu-killing device. While normal masks can allow up to 50,000 flu bugs to live, the BioMask's technology eliminates 99.9 percent of cooties within a minute of contact! Not sold yet? Well, for penny-pinchers, the mask's virus elimination makes it a reusable resource!

Well, that's my list. If only we had unlimited funds to purchase these magnificent inventions! Red Cross services can always be improved through generous donations however -a gift that is much appreciated. Happy holidays and best of luck in the new decade!

Information courtesy of popsci.com; graphic courtesy of wired.com

*Since when did this New Year's Eve abbreviation pop up? NYE will always mean Bill Nye to me.

A New Year's Tradition, In Photos

I've told you about our friends from the Weiss family before -- as you might recall, they have a fascinating New Year's tradition, for which they were nominated as heroes at our 2008 Breakfast of Champions.

Now the Weiss' are featured in the pages of The Oregonian. And what I love isn't just their story (which is well worth reading), but their photos.

A Red Cross official applies a donor-recognition pin on Morris Weiss' lapel during a 1945 ceremony at Willamette Iron and Steel Works in Portland. His wife, Shirley, is second from right.

Vicki Mittendorf, granddaughter of Morris Weiss, and her son Andrew honor family tradition by donating blood together Saturday at the American Red Cross Portland Donor Center.

Descendants of the late Morris Weiss gather Saturday outside the American Red Cross Portland Donor Center on North Vancouver Avenue. Weiss inspired his family to donate blood at the first of every year. Now it's a multi-generational event. A dozen members of the Weiss/Parker family donated blood at the center, while others attended to offer moral support.

Photos courtesy of Motoya Nakamura/The Oregonian and the American Red Cross.