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To learn more about donating blood and to make an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org.

There has been a lot of talk around here about zombies. This got me to thinking about zombies and the Red Cross. Obviously, we’re complimentary groups of people: The Red Cross is well-known because we help people prepare for and respond to emergencies, and, well, a zombie apocalypse is something to be prepared for.

This led me to the interwebs to do some research on this possible Red Cross/zombie relationship, and I found a lot of evidence that led me to believe that there is such a strong connection between us because zombies might actually LOVE the Red Cross. I know zombies are the walking dead, void of all emotions and dead set (pun intended) on consuming brains, but I think there’s some sort of soft spot in their dead hearts for the Red Cross.

Here is my evidence:

Run for Your Lives

This zombie infested run that has the goal of “destryoing” its participants may not seem like the most Red Cross-loving event one could stumble upon; however, the Red Cross is the charitable partner for this race. So technically, the zombies are chasing down runners to support our mission – and I think that’s sweet. I asked the co-race director, Derrick Smith, why he thought this was a good partnership. His response was, “When people think of a true zombie apocalypse scenario there tends to be a lot of bloodshed and general chaos, which is why the Red Cross was a natural fit to partner with. The Red Cross is the top organization out there for taking care of people in emergency situations, so we were more than happy to donate a portion of every ticket sale to their cause.” Photo courtesy of Happy Go Lucky Photography

Night of the Living Donors – Zombie Blood Drive

In Portland, the Zombie Squad took it upon themselves to partner with the local Red Cross to host a blood drive to help them be prepared in case of a zombie invasion. The Zombie Squad has been a great Red Cross partner over the years by helping us spread important disaster preparedness messages (I particularly like their Bug Out Bag) – in fact, their mission is similar to ours: “Zombie Squad’s mission is to educate the public about the importance of personal preparedness and community service, to increase its readiness to respond to disasters such as earthquakes, floods or zombie outbreaks.” Neat-o!

I asked Nate Warren, who helped coordinate the blood drive, why he thought zombies loved the Red Cross so much. His response was, “I think zombies love the Red Cross because, for one, they have an insatiable hunger and we can provide tastier alternatives to the boring and redundant diet of brains. Whether we’re dishing out cookies at blood drives or cooking up meals at disaster sites, it’s nearly impossible to find the Red Cross representing without “noms” nearby. Also, while most scream at the sight of the undead, the Red Cross prides itself on impartiality, and serves as a neutral force in conflicts as guardians of the Geneva Conventions and other treaties surrounding international humanitarian law. Finally, let’s get real: zombies smell and probably don’t know it. It’s time to bring the Red Cross humanitarian mission to the formerly living and reach out with comfort, understanding and rubber gloves.”

Hmmm, good point, Nate.

World Zombie Day
Lastly, I sought out another Red Cross connection – this time in the super prepared state of Colorado. Last year, the chapter published this extensive article on zombie preparedness in honor of World Zombie Day – however, I found that Colorado was far more concerned with helping people prepare for the zombie invasion rather than trying to embrace our undead friends. Patricia Billinger noted, “I think zombies fear the Red Cross because we build the type of neighborhoods that know how to band together, get out and fight back!”

So maybe the relationship between the Red Cross and zombies truly is a complimentary one. Zombies are giving us something to prepare for, and we’re giving our communities the tools and opportunities to be prepared. However, in my mind, if zombies truly didn’t care about YOU or the Red Cross, they wouldn’t be trying to gnaw brains during a race, or showing up to blood drives.

Deep down inside, I believe the zombies want you to be prepared so the unprepared are easier to pick off when the zombie apocalypse happens.

“Red Cross goes high-tech” - how social media aids disaster responses [NECN via NBC]

Eton radios - stay on top of those weather warnings [Pinterest market]

Water safety ads from the Brazilian Red Cross - remember, safety first! [Pinterest | see here for all kinds of safety tips]

World Water Day 2012 – The World is Thirsty Because We Are Hungry - how will you celebrate WWD this Thursday? [YouTube]

Red blood cell-shaped mini soaps - reminding us that only 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives [Etsy]

Nonprofit Data Visualization: a Gallery - how nonprofits show their work through pictures and graphics [Chronicle of Philanthropy blog]

Please share any suggestions for our next WWR post!

If you’re anything like me, you probably haven’t followed through – at least not 100% – on your New Year’s Resolutions. Perhaps you resolved to start volunteering, or to donate blood more regularly, or to finally take that CPR class…and now here it is March, and you still haven’t signed up for an orientation, made an appointment to donate, or registered for the class.

What are you waiting for?

Don’t let the month of March – a perfect opportunity to finally act on those resolutions – pass you by without taking a step toward getting involved with the American Red Cross as a volunteer, blood donor, or class participant.

Here are the basics:

• If you’d like to donate blood, visit our blood donation website and enter your zip code. You’ll be immediately directed to a page listing all of the upcoming blood drives in your area. Follow the instructions to schedule an appointment online and then show up – it’s that easy!
• If you’d like to volunteer, click on the link to your chapter’s website, and then on the heading on the chapter’s homepage that reads, “Volunteer”. (Each chapter’s website is slightly different, but all will have links on their homepages with similar – if not identical – headings.) You’ll be volunteering before you know it! You can also call your local chapter to get information on volunteering.
• If you’d like to take a class, enter your zip code here.
• If you’d like to donate money, visit our donation page at redcross.org to see a variety of ways to donate.
• If you’d like to become a Red Cross Hero, sign up to help fundraise here.

I also encourage you to contact your local American Red Cross directly, as many chapters host incredibly unique and fun special events, fundraisers, and outreach opportunities (CPR Saturdays, Health and Safety Fairs, Heroes Fundraising Campaigns, etc.) in honor of March is Red Cross Month.

So, what are you waiting for?

This valentine’s day, I’m literally giving from my heart at the American Red cross station

— Colson (@SemiColson) February 14, 2012

Nothing like saying “you’re my valentine” like giving a pint of blood together to the Red Cross!

— Port Carling #ARIES (@james0365) February 12, 2012

Confirmed our reservations for Valentine’s Day. Red Cross blood donation at 3pm. I love our Valentine tradition.

—Eryn (@Leighbra) February 13, 2012

this moment is sponsored by red cross…there is love in the blood

— Benita Wheeler (@benitawheeler) February 13, 2012

Thanks, @wolfeyedwonder

Hurricane Cookies [Instructables]

O Positive (or not) [Burdens Do a Body Good]

First Aid Kit Releases new music video [PerezHilton]*

Google Flu Trends is a powerful early warning system for emergency departments [Science Daily]

Social Media Tracks Disease Spread [Scientific American]

2 years ago today, Haiti was struck by an earthquake. Our work there has made significant progress and there’s still much to do. We just want to take a moment today to think of all those who were affected and to thank all of you who came together so beautifully to help.

* We just get a kick out of the name of this band.

- Donate blood three times. I’d love to commit to donating blood every 56 days, but my iron levels just don’t rebound in that amount of time. I also have very little child-free time each week, and while the cheerful, optimistic part of me would love to take my kids with me when I donate blood, the realistic part of me – the part of me that has actually MET my “spirited” children – knows this would be a mistake. There’s no need to subject other blood donors and Red Cross employees to those two rugrats.

- Volunteer for four events. My family’s schedule doesn’t allow me to volunteer on a regular basis (i.e. weekly administrative assistance) or at off times of day (i.e. middle of the night disaster response). Instead, one-time events – like the Bryan Christmas Parade, for which my family and I volunteer a couple of weeks ago – are a good fit, as they generally last for only a few hours and are planned far enough in advance to allow me to clear my calendar.

- Spread the word. We’ve lived in our current city (after a move across the country) for a full year, and I’ve met quite a few people – both friends and acquaintances – over the course of these last 12 months. It’s time for me to start talking about Red Cross blood donation, volunteering, etc. with those who will listen, which means it’s also time for me to brush up on my elevator speech!

- Organize at least one Red Cross-related activity for each of my children’s classes. A few weeks ago I coordinated a Holiday Mail for Heroes event for my son’s preschool class, and it was a huge hit. I’d like to do the same for both kids’ classes next year, and perhaps throw another activity into the mix as well. Ideas?

What are your Red Cross New Year’s Resolutions? How do you make sure you’ll follow through on your plans to accomplish it all?

Happy New Year!

*this post came to us from the blog of Cindy Haskins Monro, in Arizona.  During the holiday season there is always a significant drop in blood donations, when demand is especially high.  Consider scheduling an appointment today.

My husband, Bruce, has been donating blood for over 10 years.  I figured he was representing our family and we were doing our part.  I thought they froze the blood and stockpiled it for future use.  I thought surely they always have plenty of blood on hand.  I was so wrong.

Blood donors make up a mere 5% of the 38% of Americans eligible to donate. I found that statistic rather shocking.  Also, red blood cells are refrigerated and have a shelf life of only 45 days.  (Your donated blood has been used or has expired 11 days before you are eligible to donate again in 56 days, which explains why it is necessary for the American Red Cross to call upon its donors so often.) Just a few are carrying the load for the many and the daily struggle to meet the demand of hospitals for blood is constant.

My First Experience

Newly informed, I set out last Saturday to donate blood.  I was headed for the American Red Cross building in Tucson when I spotted a Red Cross mobile unit about a block away, next to Diamondback Police Supply.  I decided to see if I could donate there, since it appeared a blood drive was underway.

I parked my car and walked over to the sign-in sheet where I was greeted by Barbara Belhumeur.  I was given material to read, and since I had no appointment, I sat down to wait my turn.  I soon noticed everyone seemed to know one another and there was a sense of something special happening in the air.  Everyone was smiling, everyone was hugging, with special attention paid to Holly, who was stationed at the sign-in table, as well as to Barbara and a gentleman named Larry.  I asked Barbara if this was a special event.  It was.

Barbara and Larry Belhumeur lost their son, Holly’s husband, to a devastating illness recently and this was a memorial blood drive.  Mark Belhumeur (known for remarking  ’you are a scholar and a gentleman’ when introduced to someone new) had recieved the gift of blood while battling his illness.  Though he eventually succumbed, his family wished to give back and to help save the lives of others in his name.  Mark had worked at Diamondback Police Supply, which is why the location was so appropriate.  He was obviously much loved and is deeply missed by all who knew him.  His family and friends did him proud that day.

As I waited my turn, I marveled at the resiliency of the human spirit and at the ability of this lovely family to turn tragedy into hope for others.  My name was called and I entered the bus.

I was first seated in a private cubicle by a young, attractive phlebotomist named Alethea , who pricked my finger (felt like a sharp snap, not particularly painful) and took a speck of blood, which she tested for adequate iron.  She also checked my blood pressure.  I then answered a few questions regarding travel and personal associations, all of which is strictly confidential.

It was determined I was healthy and eligible to donate (I had eaten an iron-rich breakfast and drunk plenty of water, which also makes your veins more accessable) and I was instructed to recline comfortably on a padded bench seat.  Alethea inserted the needle neatly and cleanly and approximately 10 minutes later I had given a unit of blood.  John, another Red Cross professional, cleaned me up, bandaged me and, after making sure I was feeling OK, sent me to the front of the bus. I thought, ‘what a simple and easy way to impact the lives of others in a beneficial way’.

I made my way to the front of the bus where assorted snacks and beverages had been made available to replenish the energy of donors.  While seated in this mini recovery area, I met a young mother named Shannon, who had donated at the same time.  Shannon, in her motherly wisdom, had brought along her nine year old daughter, Olivia (darling with long golden hair), so that she could observe and learn.   Also on hand was Elisa Rister, Mrs. Arizona 2009, who is friend to Holly Belhumeur.  She is as beautful and as down to earth as they come and provided wonderful support to the cause.

After chatting a while, I was free to go.  I asked everyone’s permission to mention them in this article.  They all kindly agreed.  We hugged and I walked away feeling like I had done something meaningful that morning.  I know I will become a regular, lifelong donor thanks to the generosity of spirit I experienced with the Belhumeur family and the kind, professional attention I received from the American Red Cross professionals, Alethea and John.  My heartfelt thanks to all of you for making my first blood donation so memorable!