East Coast Weather Continues to Impact National Blood Supply

Earlier this month, we mentioned that winter storms in the east resulted in a great loss of blood collection activities due to canceled drives and appointments. Since then, storm after storm has continued to hit the Eastern seaboard with an estimated loss now at over 14,000 appointments.

As the nation's largest blood bank, the American Red Cross maintains a national blood inventory system to respond to disasters. However, the weather this month has pushed the supply to it's lowest levels in 10 years. As a result, the first national appeal since 2004 has been made for donors to show their support in this time of great need. Donations in the Pacific Northwest are particularly important as winter weather has not significantly impacted our region, and donation opportunities are plentiful.


If you want to see some reasons to donate, check out these appeals from areas impacted by the storms; Tennessee (video above), North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Vermont.

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...

MEXICO: The ICRC provided equipment and supplies for manufacturing artificial limbs to the National Rehabilitation Institute in Mexico City.

CHAD: The ICRC held a seminar in N'Djamena on health, water and living conditions in places of detention.

VIETNAM: Actor, philanthropist and IFRC goodwill ambassador, Jet Li toured the country encouraging youth to volunteer, give blood, and get trained in first aid.

WORLDWIDE: According to a report published by the IFRC this week, the global Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteer workforce numbers 13.1 million: equivalent to the population of Tokyo! [More amazing stats.]



GLOSSARY:

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

Dvice Image Of The Day: 4.4 Earthquake Simulation

From Dvice: The folks at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center are creating mock earthquakes — the sim pictured represents a 4.4-magnitude tremor in a valley in northern Greece. From there, architects and regulators can more easily decide what type of structure to build in that area.

Get all the details from Discover Magazine.

Shake 'n' Quake

Do you know where you'll be in precisely 19 hours?

I do -- under my desk.

That's because at 10:15 a.m. tomorrow, thousands of Oregonians will "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in The Great Oregon ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill in Oregon history!

So register now and send in your pics later. And to keep you busy in the interim, I suggest playing "Beat the Quake" and taking the Quake Quiz!

[And, of course, brushing up on your earthquake safety tips.]

Elvis Has Left The Building...

...but I suspect he'll be back!

Awhile ago, our Medford Donor Center employees spotted The King himself at work! One staff member said that she'd "never seen so many cell phones whip out at once."

If you want your shot at an expense-paid trip for two to Vegas or Graceland, be sure to "Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeves" and donate before the end of February! For more information, please see full sweepstakes details here.

To find a blood drive near you, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online!

Prepare-aphernalia: The Survival Stove

I'm not making that headline up. That's the actual name of this camping stove.

I know it's a little early in the year to start thinking about camping. But it's never too early to start thinking about preparedness. And this little stove could come in quite handy in an emergency.

Why? You don't have to have any special fuel for this compact little cooker. Any dry fuel (wood, paper, charcoal, cardboard, dried animal droppings, you name it) will do.

That makes it a perfect tool to stash away in your emergency kit!

Don't ask me how it works. Something to do with a couple of AA batteries. Or maybe magic. I'm not sure. I just know I want one.

Prepare-aphernalia: Earthquake-Safe Bed

I. Want. This. Bed.

Inventor Wang Wenxi (who has personally experienced several earthquakes in China) has won over my heart with this gorgeous piece of furniture designed to keep you safe from falling debris.

And just look at it! Don't you want to snuggle into that cozy, sleek, safe little nest of sheets and pillows? (No offense to the pod bed, but this just looks so much more comfy.)

And to top it off... wait for it... built-in storage. (To store more prepare-aphernalia, perhaps? Boots? Mini-emergency kit?)

Excuse me while I swoon.

Saturday: Honor MLK Through Our Blood and Organ Donor Registry Drive

Currently in Oregon and Southwest Washington, more than 2,500 people are awaiting an organ transplant. Portland resident Randy Loving (pictured) is one of those people. As a result of diagnosed kidney failure in 1999, he spends about 15 hours a week in dialysis treatment while awaiting a transplant. 54.5% of those waiting for a kidney in Oregon and Washington represent ethnic minorities.

Some lives are forever changed by the gift of an organ donor. Misty Loving, Randy's daughter (pictured) waited two years and three months for a kidney transplant. Her odds of finding a match were lower because of ethnic disparities in the donor pool. On August 28, 2007, her wish came true. Misty’s transplant operation replaced her failed kidney with a healthy, functioning organ. You can read more about Randy and Misty's incredible story in The Skanner, at this link.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. symbolized equal access for all. This includes equal opportunity for the lifesaving gift of blood and organ transplants.

This Saturday, community members can donate blood, learn more about organ donation, and sign up for the donor registry at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blood and Organ Donor Registry Drive:

• Saturday, January 22, 2011 - 7:30 am to 1:00 pm.
• American Red Cross - 3131 N. Vancouver Avenue, Portland, OR 97227
• To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS or register online.

This drive is co-hosted by the American Red Cross and Donate Life Northwest. Representatives from Donate Life Northwest will be available to talk about organ donation and the donor registry.

African American blood donors can sometimes offer special hope to African American patients awaiting transfusions. People with a common heritage often share blood types and sometimes also rare blood antigens, which can be used to treat patients with special blood type needs. Honor Dr. King, make an appointment to give blood and sign up for the Organ Donor Registry today!

TONIGHT: Let's Talk Tornadoes

Since Portlandia's not on 'til tomorrow night, you're surely looking for things to do tonight, right? Well, look no further...how about an Oregon tornado discussion with the American Meteorological Society?

Head to OMSI tonight and, from 7-9 p.m. in the auditorium, experts will chat about the tornado that struck Aumsville, Oregon on Dec. 14, 2010. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Retired meteorologist, author and weather historian George Miller will offer insight into historical Oregon tornados. Meteorologists Tyree Wilde and Jonathan Wolfe from the Portland office of the National Weather Service will give a detailed technical presentation on what atmospheric conditions came together in order to create the Aumsville tornado, rated a level of “EF2” on the Enhanced Fujita Scale that classifies tornadoes into six categories based on severity and potential damage.

This should be fascinating for all the extreme weather/disaster junkies out there. Check it out!

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...

BRAZIL: The worst mudslides in 40 years left many people in isolated areas unable to contact the outside world. The Brazilian Red Cross and the ICRC have been making satellite phones available, so that people in the affected areas can reassure their worried relatives that they are safe and well.

COLOMBIA: Around 23,000 victims of recent flooding have received food, seed and basic necessities from the ICRC and the Colombian Red Cross.


TUNISIA: The security situation and humanitarian conditions in Tunisia remain unsettled. One of the ICRC's major priorities is to get access to the many people arrested by the security forces, in the past few days especially, in order to check on how they are being treated and to send news to their families.

SRI LANKA: Major flooding has affected one million people. Red Cross staff and volunteers have been assisting in evacuation, cleaning hospitals, providing boat service, relocating the displaced and distributing bottled water, food and relief items to the affected communities.

BANGLADESH: Tropical Bangladesh has been experiencing a severe and unprecedented cold wave. The Bangladesh Red Crescent is putting together a "first warm clothes" package to assist more than 30,000 people.


GLOSSARY:

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

UPDATE: Flooding In Oregon

Today may be dry, but the last week sure hasn't been. In fact, it's been so wet that parts of Oregon have seen flooding and landslides, particularly in the Welches area. To get an idea of what's been happening, check out this video from OPB News.



When disasters like this occur, the Red Cross jumps into action. We provided lodging for 14 families on Monday night and, on Tuesday afternoon, opened up a shelter at Camp Arrah-Wanna. Last night we had one person stay over, but are ready for more...just in case the rain leads to more evacuations.

We'll also be there to provide 3 meals a day and assistance with everything from clothes to shampoo and deodorant. When you've lost everything, even these little things make a huge difference.

Keep in mind that what happens in Welches can happen anywhere around our state. Newport, Vernonia, and even Portland, floods are frequent Oregon disasters. Be prepared.

Eastern Seaboard Storm Causes loss of 8,000 Blood Donations

Portland has felt pretty balmy the past few day's, but on the East Coast there's a different story. This week, the area got walloped with a winter storm that forced hundreds of American Red Cross blood drives to be cancelled. This caused a shortfall of more than 8,000 blood donations in the southeast and northeast corners of the country.

Although Oregon and Washington aren't in the affected area, because of the Red Cross blood service network, blood donors in the Pacific Northwest are in the position of being able to help.

There is a particular need for people with O-negative blood to give now. O-negative is the universal blood type which can go to any patient regardless of their blood type. O-negative blood is often used in emergency cases when doctors can’t wait to type a patient’s blood.

“The result of the cancellation of that many blood drives and consequently all those blood donations translates into as many as 24,000 blood products that we now do not have available for patients who may need them,” said Chris Hrouda, executive vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services.

For more information, or to schedule your donation, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.

Emergency Warming Centers: Providing Hope

It's hard not to feel downtrodden after watching the recent news stories of disasters happening in our city, our country and around the world. Flooding, mudslides, shootings. It's overwhelming and seems like too much for one aspiring do-gooder to handle. But then I'm reminded, by our eloquent President as well as by my near and dear Red Cross community, that there are steps we can take, no matter how small, to make our community a better place. Because, although sad news happens all around the world, our best bet for making a difference starts right in our own backyard.

Here I am, adding to the barrage of bad news but for the sake of this post it must be done. This touching story about Randy Tinnell, a homeless man found frozen to death in SE Portland, paints a picture of a life unnecessarily lost. And it reminds us of the vital importance of American Red Cross emergency warming centers.

When nighttime temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, the emergency warming centers act as an overflow to the already crowded homeless shelters. Unlike most shelters, an open door policy provides a place for those that might be turned away elsewhere. Located at Imago Dei Community, 1302 SE Ankeny, it's open to guests from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The Red Cross anticipates activation about 14 times this winter, providing a mat, blanket and a hot drinks to up to 150 people each night. Volunteers are always needed.

If you're interested in participating, please attend an orientation session.

I was lucky enough to volunteer over the frigid New Years Eve weekend and found myself, yet again, being reminded of what little needs to be done to make an impact. I felt warmer on the inside by helping others feel warmer on the outside.

However many times and in however many ways we need to be reminded, there will always be something we can do to give ourselves and our neighbors hope.

Reminder: The Race isn't over yet...

It might not be race season, yet you can still end up a winner for the 'laps' you've taken to your local Red Cross blood donation site! Red Cross Racing, the campaign that lets you receive points for the pints you donate, is about to end it's racing season and it is a great time to look back at your many achievements over the past year.

The last day to donate for points is this Saturday, January 15th. Donations can be reported at www.redcrossracing.com through January 24th, and you can exchange the points you've gained for prizes through January 31st.

There are many great prizes available, including 2010 collectibles and items for use around the house. If you don't want anything, you can also donate your points to support the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces that provides assistance for those serving overseas and at home.

Red Cross Racing is another way to say thank you for all your support!

Dr. King Would Be Proud

"Life's most persistent question," he once asked, "is what are you doing for others?"

Well, this Saturday, January 15th from 9-2 you can join fellow Red Crossers along with volunteers from Hope Worldwide in distributing vital fire safety information.

Together We Prepare events are always a blast. It's a chance to meet new friends, enjoy the fresh air and strengthen your community.

Volunteers will canvass door-to-door throughout SE Portland, talk with residents and leave behind comfort kits to help them begin creating a disaster kit. They'll also be distributing information about smoke alarms, creating a household fire escape plan and tips for cooking and heating a home safely this winter.

If you're in the know, you're already aware that home fires are the most prevalent local disaster threat.

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend by providing others with life saving information.

If you are interested in helping with this project, please call or email Lauren Woodward: 503-528-5657 or woodwardl@oregonredcross.org

Together We Prepare!

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...

HAITI: Today marks the one year anniversary of the massive earthquake. Among the many ongoing relief efforts Red Cross ambulance drivers rush cholera sufferers to hospitals, hygiene volunteers sanitize the site of cholera outbreaks, ICRC workers fight cholera in places of detention and continue the search for missing children. Other Red Crossers remain hard at work on projects like immunizations, supplying water, prosthetic limb fitting, digging drainage ditches to mitigate flooding, and building semi-permanent shelters. See the American Red Cross' complete one year progress report. Or watch a collection of videos showing our work in Haiti.

KYRGYZSTAN: Before the first snow of the season fell on Osh and nearby areas, the ICRC finished partially rebuilding 363 houses that were burnt or otherwise damaged during the events of June 2010.

Côte d’Ivoire: The ICRC and the Red Cross Society of Côte d'Ivoire have treated almost 80 people injured during recent clashes in Duékoué, in the west of the country, where they are continuing to help 12,000 displaced persons.

SUDAN: The ICRC is providing clean, solar-powered drinking water for people in remote, conflict-prone areas.

AUSTRALIA: Australian Red Cross volunteers are responding to record setting floods by operating evacuation centers, distributing resources, and helping thousands of people let their family and friends know that they're safe and well.

GLOSSARY:

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

WATCH: Deadliest Earthquakes

I alluded to this in my previous post, but if you don't have the honor of attending a red carpet premiere, I'd highly suggest tuning in to PBS' NOVA tonight.

Here's why:

Aside from DOGAMI's Yumei Wang (who you should have spotted in the preview above), the show will also include Oregon State University's Chris Goldfinger talking about past Cascadia earthquakes, as well as a proposed tsunami shelter in Cannon Beach.

More program info:

In 2010, epic earthquakes all over the planet delivered one of the worst annual death tolls ever recorded. The deadliest strike was in Haiti, where a quake just southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince, killed more than 200,000, reducing homes, hospitals, schools, and the presidential palace to rubble.

In exclusive coverage, a NOVA camera crew follows a team of US geologists as they first enter Haiti in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. It is a race against time as they hunt for crucial evidence that will help them determine exactly what happened deep underground and what the risks are of a new killer quake.

Barely a month after the Haiti quake, Chile was struck by a quake 100 times more powerful, unleashing a tsunami that put the entire Pacific coast on high alert. In a coastal town devastated by the rushing wave, NOVA follows a team of geologists as they battle aftershocks to measure the displacement caused by the earthquake. Could their work, and the work of geologists at earthquake hot-spots around the U.S., one day lead to a breakthrough in predicting quakes before they happen? NOVA investigates intriguing new leads in its gripping investigation of a deadly scientific conundrum.

Would you know what to do in case of an earthquake? Check out our safety tips.

Walking The Red (Cross) Carpet

What are your Tuesday night plans? Sitting at home watching NOVA? Catching up on last night's episode of The Bachelor?

Going to a glamorous red carpet premiere?

Oh wait, those are MY Tuesday night plans. Jealous?

Well, you should be.

I'm headed to the fabulous premiere for Hood To Coast, the new documentary about the infamous Oregon race. There will be all sorts of famous types on hand -- runners and movie makers and...CPR instructors?

That's right -- our own Francisco Ianni will make his big-screen debut, teaching one of the teams how to "check, call and care" their way to victory.

Since you can't be at the premiere with me (sorry!), I'm re-posting Francisco's footage so that you can at least feel like you're part of the excitement. And, of course, be sure to watch the film when it comes to a theater near you!

Hood To Coast Movie - Red Cross CPR from HoodToCoastMovie on Vimeo.

“Be Human. Give Blood.” during National Blood Donor Month!

Love vampires, werewolves, ghosts and...donating blood? In conjunction with the launch of the new series “Being Human,” the SyFy Network and the American Red Cross have partnered to encourage viewers to pledge to donate blood during National Blood Donor Month!

The “Be Human. Give Blood.” initiative asks viewers to pledge to donate blood via an application on the SyFy Network’s Facebook page. Fans can also find their local American Red Cross blood donation center or blood drive via the application.

“Being Human” follows three characters in their 20s who share a house and try to lead normal lives despite being a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost. For those of us who are non-supernatural creatures, what’s more human that giving blood?

Visit www.facebook.com/syfy to make your blood donation pledge today and find a location to donate near you!

And, don’t forget to tune in to “Being Human” on SyFy beginning Monday, January 17 at 9/8c.!

Have You Seen Our Annual Report?

Just trying out a new service for posting documents and I thought I'd try it with our annual report. And once I did that, I thought I'd post it for all of you!

Open publication - Free publishing

You Can't Put Ben Affleck In Your Disaster Kit

It will likely come as no surprise to you that sci-fi disaster movies like 2012, Armageddon, and Volcano aren't terribly realistic.

But for the official word on such matters, the scientists at NASA have published a list of the most realistic and unrealistic sci-fi movies of all time. You can probably guess which movie tops the "unrealistic" list.

Of course, this doesn't mean disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis won't happen. It just means that they likely won't happen quite like in the movies, and that neither John Cusack nor Ben Affleck will rush to your rescue. Which means, it's up to you to be prepared for anything.

Friday Final Cut

It's Friday, and I once again find myself with a plethora of stories. So here's your final cut...everything that I want to share, but don't have time to blog.

Enjoy!

• A helpful preparedness website for those rural (and urban!) folks who keep livestock
  
  
• Portland Monthly's sidebar about our city's most unforgettable winter storms
  
  
• Awesome winter activity: Snowshoeing on a volcano
  
  
• Impress your friends by "predicting" the weather with advance alerts
  
  
• Get your heart pumping when The Bachelor visits Red Cross blood drives on Monday's episode

Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeves!

Attention guys and gals! Strap on your blue suede shoes and put on your best poodle skirts. It’s time to Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeves with the American Red Cross and Elvis Presley Enterprises.

January and February are tough months for blood collections, as cold weather, snow and ice are often to blame for blood drive cancellations. It’s also the time of year when even the most dedicated blood donors prefer not to leave the warmth of their homes to give blood.

However, hospital patients in your community are counting on volunteer blood donors, like you, to survive. Just one blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives. You can make a difference.

Schedule your appointment at a blood drive near you or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2161).

You are invited to Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeves and give blood! All presenting blood donors, Jan. 1 – Feb. 28, 2011, will be eligible to win one of the following prizes during the “Ultimate Elvis Sweepstakes:”

- An expense paid trip for two to Las Vegas featuring tickets to Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis and accommodationsat ARIA Resort & Casino™ at CityCenter.
- A VIP expense paid trip for two to Memphis featuring VIP Graceland access and accommodations at The Peabody Hotel.

So, don’t be a “Hound Dog” this winter. Eat a hearty fried peanut butter and banana sandwich, swivel your hips and schedule an appointment to donate blood with the Red Cross. As Elvis would say,” Thank you. Thank you very much.”

Official Rules and Promotional Details

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...

Côte d’Ivoire: In response to ongoing tension following the November presidential elections, the ICRC has stepped up its humanitarian activities for those arrested, injured and displaced, and for refugees in neighboring countries.

ZIMBABWE: For more than a year, the ICRC has been conducting an emergency assistance operation to improve the nutritional situation in Zimbabwe prisons. Therapeutic feeding programs for acutely malnourished prisoners and general food distributions have allowed malnutrition rates to drop sharply.

SUDAN: Almost 7,800 people affected by recent fighting and tensions around Shangyl Tobay, in North Darfur, have received emergency assistance from the ICRC over the last few days.

SOMALIA: Ongoing fighting exacerbated by drought is forcing millions of Somalis to continue to depend on humanitarian assistance. The ICRC and the Somali Red Crescent Society have just finished providing food and urgently needed household items for over 540,000 displaced people and vulnerable residents in major cities and along the road heading south-west from Mogadishu to Afgoye.

HAITI: Nearly a year since the earthquake, Red Crossers are still hard at work on projects like cholera prevention, hygiene, immunizations, supplying water, prosthetic limb fitting, digging drainage ditches to mitigate flooding, and building semi-permanent shelters. Keep an eye out for more Haiti updates in next week's Wrap-up.

GLOSSARY:

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

Keeping Kids Healthy With The Cholera Song

The other day, I was listening to the fabulous Gail McGovern (we like to call her "GMcG") share details of some of the work we've been doing in Haiti.

While there were lots of facts and figures (see the one-year progress report), here were the ones that stood out to me...

• The Red Cross is projected to spend or has contracts to spend $245 million in the first two months -- that equates to a spending rate of more than two-thirds of a million dollars every day.
  
  
• More than one-third of the tarps and tents distributed in Haiti were provided by the Red Cross. If you laid down all of these tarps from one end to the other, it would cover the distance from New York City to Miami.
  
  
• Hundreds of Red Cross-trained hygiene promoters went from tent to tent in camps in Port-au-Prince to teach people how to prevent cholera. The volunteers provided story boards, demonstrated hand-washing techniques and taught kids in the camps the "cholera song," with lyrics about cholera prevention.

Whoa. Hang on there.

There's a cholera song? That you sing with kids? This sounded too good not to have been captured on video, right? Right?

And, thank goodness, I was right. Thanks to the fine folks at the IFRC, we can see the Red Cross volunteers sharing a message of health with the people of Haiti. And you can learn the lyrics to the cholera song yourself (watch for 3:25)!

Stormtroopers vs. Klingons: The Blood Drive!

On New Year's Day (1.1.11), donors from across the Portland area literally shed blood over their allegiance in the ultimate intergalactic battle: Stormtroopers vs. Klingons!

An incredible number of donors came out to cast their ballots and grab photos with Worf, the Wookiee, Spock, Stormtroopers...and more! If you weren't able to catch the action during this year's event - be sure to check out the slideshow below and stay tuned in the future...and I don't mean the USS Enterprise or the Death Star!

Big thanks to the community organizations that provided prizes and to the fan groups that made this wildly successful event a reality!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Prepare-aphernalia: Climate Controlled Clothing

More fashion-forward prepare-aphernalia here...

These light-weight clothes will help you weather the weather whatever the weather, whether you like it or not.

How? By keeping you climate-controlled no matter what the thermometer says...sweltering hot or bone-chillingly cold.

Or, as the fine folks at Geekologie say, "You hear that, Mother Nature? YOU DON'T OWN ME!"

Learn more by reading the FAQ about how ClimaWare works.

Pretty cool (pun intended), no?