March is Red Cross Month

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross recognizes the  Everyday Heroes who give of themselves to help their communities.

Without their continued support, the Red Cross would be unable to provide assistance when needed.

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“During this month – and every day – please remember those who help all of us by giving their time to help their neighbor,” said Sheryl Beauchaine, CEO for the Southwest Washington Region of the American Red Cross.

“We want to thank our all of our Everyday Heroes during Red Cross Month – our volunteers, blood donors, class takers and financial supporters who help us assist those in need,” Beauchaine continued.

During the last year, the American Red Cross responded to nearly 70,000 disasters in this country alone. It provided shelter, food, emotional support and other necessities to those affected.

Every year, the Red Cross provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families – in war zones, military hospitals and on military installations around the world. It collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, and trains more than seven million people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills every year.

Locally, the numbers are just as impressive. There are  over 3,000 volunteers in SW Washington region, and over the past year, those volunteers:

• responded to 107 fires, 10 floods and three storm-related incidents
• provided relief for 149 families affected by local disasters
• trained over 16,000 people in lifesaving and disaster-preparedness skills
• provided outreach programs to 302 members of the Armed Forces and their families
  

  Volunteer Jan Riske helps blood donors register to give the gift of life.

In addition, residents from our area donated approximately 25,000 units of blood through sponsored blood drives and at the Clark County Blood Donor Center.

“Red Cross Month is a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross and there are many different ways to do it,” Beauchaine explained. “They can develop a preparedness plan for their household, become a Red Cross volunteer, give blood, or take a Red Cross class, just to name a few.”

The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money and blood to do its work. An average of 91 cents of every dollar given to the Red Cross is invested in helping people in need.

For more information, click here to go to the American Red Cross website, or call the SW Washington regional office at 360-693-5821.

Join Us!

Red Cross Month: Vancouver Proclamation

March is Red Cross Month. 

Throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is Red Cross Month proclamations.

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The following proclamation, naming March 2012 as American Red Cross Month, was signed by Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, and accepted by SW Washington Red Cross Board Chairman Randy Salisbury and American Red Cross Regional Executive Officer Sheryl Beauchaine.

Our thanks to Mayor Leavitt and the citizens of Vancouver for their continuing support.

Red Cross Month: Ridgefield Proclamation

March is Red Cross Month. 

Throughout the month, we’ll highlight cities throughout our region who are celebrating with us by signing March is Red Cross Month proclamations.

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The following proclamation, naming March 2012 as American Red Cross Month, was signed by Ridgefield Mayor Ron Onslow.

Our thanks to Mayor Onslow and the citizens of Ridgefield for their support.

2012 Real Heros: Water Rescue

March is Red Cross Month. During this time of celebration, SW Washington Red Cross along with corporate sponsor Fred Meyer, is honoring Real Heros in our region. Today, we salute the recipients of the Water Rescue Heros award which is sponsored by Waste Connections.

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Water-rescue-trained volunteers Doug Knutzen and Eddie Mendez were notified through a 911 dispatch that a 12-year-old boy was under the surf in Long Beach, Pacific County, WA.

Nicole Kissel, also 12, had tried to help Dale Ostrander after he was swept off his board. She’d quickly paddled toward him; then, held on to him while he climbed back on his board.

Paddling ferociously toward shore, another wave knocked the pair off their boards, this time pulling Dale underwater and out of Nicole’s reach.

Nicole was able to get back to shore safely. Doug and Eddie arrived with their gear and a water craft to swiftly get into the surf where they saw Dale’s lifeless body two feet below the surface.

By then, the riptide had kept Dale underwater for at least 15 minutes.

Eddie dove into the water to retrieve Dale; then, Doug pulled Dale onto the water craft and jetted to shore. Doug carried Dale’s lifeless body to a paramedic who was standing by to administer CPR and First Aid.

Many other trained responders continued to keep Dale alive as he was Life Flighted to the hospital.

Miraculously, Dale survived and is working his way back from death’s door. Thank you, Doug and Eddie!