A Neighborhood Hero

2012 Leap Day Storm Assestment

On July 2, 2012 Dennis Rutledge, a longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region, will be making his 500^th blood donation to the Red Cross at the Blood Center located at 313 E. Battlefield, Suite B.

Because he cares to donate, Dennis has saved up to 1500 people with his donations!

Dennis made his first blood donation while in college in 1959. He said “It was a good experience. I think one thing that keeps me giving is that it’s so easy for me. I don’t mind a little sting; it’s worth the discomfort to help someone.” And there are plenty of people in need. Every year in the United States, five million people need blood making it every couple of seconds that someone requires blood to survive.

So how, in 53 years, did Dennis go from 1 to 500 donations? Well he started to rotate between giving regular blood which you can donate every two months, and giving Platelets which can be given every 2 weeks. He said donating blood components speeds things up a bit.

When asked why he gives blood so often he said “I know that blood cannot be manufactured, it must be given by other humans, so I am doing what needs to be done to help others. It makes you feel good.” Dennis is completely correct when he says the only way to get the blood that we need is through donations from others. Every year the Red Cross holds more than 200,000 blood drives all over the country since 1940 to help meet the high demand for blood.

Have you donated lately? Dennis says he encourages everyone to donate; it’s quick and easy and if you are apprehensive about donating, visit your local Red Cross and talk to the attendants and people who have donated. He says, not only do we need those already donating to return; we need new donors to replace those who can no longer give. Research shows that only three percent of the United States population gives blood regularly, so the need is there and it’s a great way to give back to the community.

We asked Dennis if he would continue to donate after he hit the 500^th donation mark, he said “Absolutely! There is no upper age limit, so until someone tells me to stop, I will donate as long as I am able”. Dennis is a true neighborhood hero that has helped so many people with his blood donations and he has a challenge for all Red Cross members and everyone in the community, “With the heat and vacations, July is a slow month for donations, so if you have not given within two months, do it!”

Story by: Elise Ayers, Intern

Photo by: Nigel Holderby

6/27/2012

2012 Fourth of July Safety

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby nigel.holderby@redcross.org

 

Red Cross Offers Tips for a Safe 4^th of July

Whether at the lake or in one’s backyard, follow these steps to enjoy the holiday.

 

American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region 6/27/12 — The Independence Day Holiday is just around the corner and many people will visit the lake, enjoy fireworks, or fire up the grill for a backyard barbecue.

 

“The American Red Cross wants everyone to have a happy -- and safe -- Fourth of July holiday, and taking a few simple steps to stay safe can help ensure that this will be an enjoyable holiday for all,” said Nigel Holderby, Red Cross Chief Communications Officer.

 

LAKE SAFETY: If swimming in the lake is part of someone’s holiday plans, they should check the weather and water conditions beforehand and throughout the day, swim only within the designated swimming area and obey all safety rules. Avoid alcohol before and during any water activities and make sure to never swim alone.

 

Other tips to keep in mind:

• Actively supervise children at all times. Stay within arm’s reach of young children when they are in the water.
• Have weak swimmers wear a life jacket. Don’t rely on water wings or inflatable toys.
• Always enter shallow water feet first. Dive only in areas marked safe for diving. 

 

Additional water safety tips are located at redcross.org/watersafetytips.

 

WATCH THE SUN: Everyone should limit the amount of direct sunlight they receive between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15 throughout the day. Drink plenty of water and avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. Wear sunglasses that will absorb UV sunlight to protect one’s eyes. And remember to protect one’s feet by wearing some kind of beach shoes.

 

FIREWORKS SAFETY: Nothing says “Fourth of July” like fireworks. To help stay safe while enjoying them, follow these safety steps:

• Never give fireworks to small children and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
• Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
• Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point fireworks toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

 

 

GRILLING SAFETY: If a picnic and grilled goodies are part of someone’s holiday plans, they should follow these steps:

• Always watch the barbecue grill when in use.
• Never grill indoors – not in a house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.
• Make sure children and pets stay away from the grill.
• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches or anything that could catch fire. 
• Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.

 

“In addition to these tips, all iPhone and Android smart phone owners should download the new, free American Red Cross First Aid app now so they will have information on how to treat everyday emergencies right in their hands,” added Holderby.

 

For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: nigel.holderby@redcross.org

 

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Summer Heat Safety

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby nigel.holderby@redcross.org

AMERICAN RED CROSS URGES CAUTION DURING HEAT WAVE
The Elderly and the Very Young are the Most Susceptible to Heat Illness

 

American Red Cross, Southern Missouri Region 6/25/12 – When the dog days of summer deliver hot temperatures and high humidity, the American Red Cross urges residents to take precautions against the heat. This week starts the triple digit weather forecast for the area and we are all about making sure our neighbors are prepared and safe.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s sweltering heat. In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including tornadoes, floods and hurricanes.

 

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees; and the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Persons with heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

 

“Our goal is to give people the information they need to protect themselves and their families from heat-related illnesses,” said Nigel Holderby, Chief Communications Officer for the Southern Missouri Region.

 

Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Tips:

 

• Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
• Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m. Take frequent breaks.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning. Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.

 

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

 

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen. They are caused by exposure to heat and humidity, and loss of fluids. Heat cramps are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature-control system, which produces sweat as a way of cooling the body, stops working. Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

 

• Heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes, and have the person drink slowly. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin. Fan the person. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet towels or sheets around the body. Use a water hose, if available, to cool the victim. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

 

Red Cross training can give you the skills and confidence to act in an emergency. For more information visit www.redcross.org or contact your local Red Cross 1-866-206-0256.

 

 

 

 

For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: nigel.holderby@redcross.org  

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

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2012 First Aid App for Smart Phones

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby nigel.holderby@redcross.org

New First Aid App Brings American Red Cross

Safety Tips to Smart Phones

 

American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region 3/8/12 - The American Red Cross has launched its official first aid app, putting free and simple lifesaving information right in the hands of smart phone users.

 

This app is the first in a series to be created by the American Red Cross, the nation’s leader in first aid and emergency preparedness information. It’s also the only first aid app created or endorsed by the American Red Cross for use on both the Android and iPhone platforms. It gives instant access to information on how to handle the most common first aid situations, and includes videos and interactive quizzes. Users who take quizzes can earn badges they can share with friends through social media to show off their lifesaving knowledge.

 

Due to the rapid increase in smart phone users, the app takes critical first aid information normally stored on bookshelves and in pamphlets and places it at the fingertips of tens of millions of individuals – which will save lives. The Red Cross app also includes trusted Red Cross disaster preparedness information for a number of common situations.

 

“The American Red Cross First Aid app is a free and easy way to get life-saving first aid instruction and disaster preparedness information anytime, anywhere,” said Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council chair Dr. David Markenson. “Everyone should load this onto their smart phone as an important first step in learning what to do for medical emergencies and in creating a family preparedness plan.”

 

App features include:

·         Simple step-by-step instructions for everyday first aid scenarios;

·         Prioritized steps to take during an emergency, with 9-1-1 call button;

·         Sharable badges to be unlocked through interactive quizzes;

·         Videos and animations to make learning first aid fun and easy;

·         Safety and preparedness tips for a range of conditions including severe winter weather, hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes;

·         Preloaded content that gives instant access to all safety information at any time.

 

The app is free and available for iPhone and Android users. Find the app in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross.

 

The new app builds on the American Red Cross legacy of teaching first aid and life-saving skills to people across the country. An average of more than 9 million people a year receive Red Cross training in first aid, water safety and other skills that help save lives.

 

Downloading the app is not a substitute for training. To learn more about American Red Cross first aid or register for a course, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.

 

 

 

For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: nigel.holderby@redcross.org  

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

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2012 Run for REDiness Success

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby nigel.holderby@redcross.org

Red Cross Run for “RED”iness 2012 a Success!

 

American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region 6/20/12

 

 

The American Red Cross in Southern Missouri is proud to announce the success of our 3^rd Annual

5k Walk/Run to support Disaster Services to the communities we serve. Your commitment to your community brought in almost $10,000 for disaster relief.

 

We are thankful for the dedication of over 100 runners who came from near and far to help raise the money needed to ensure the Red Cross is able to respond to those affected by very personal disasters.  In service to 40 counties in Southern Missouri, your Red Cross responds to approximately 2 home fires every day. In the past 3 days alone, we have provided emergency assistance to over 30 individuals who lost everything due to a fire in their home or apartment.

 

Together we are Neighbors helping Neighbors. We thank you for being active in your support of each other and YOUR America Red Cross!

 

**Photo of runners

 

**Red Cross Volunteers Sid Farcy and Elina Cain

 

 

 

For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: nigel.holderby@redcross.org 

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

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Red Cross Responds to 2nd Apartment Fire within 3 Days

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby nigel.holderby@redcross.org

Red Cross Responds to 2^nd Apartment Fire within 3 Days

 

American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region 6/20/12

 

The American Red Cross continues to provide for the emergency needs of individuals affected by the fire at Lakeshore Apartment complex in Springfield that happened Sunday, June 17. While still working to assist the 14 individuals affected by this personal disaster, 18 additional people have been affected by a second apartment fire. Yesterday afternoon Red Cross volunteers responded to The Old Plantation apartments in Ozark, Mo. to find several families in need of emergency assistance.

 

The response included canteening for the firefighters as well as casework volunteers who were able to open cases with the families to provide immediate monetary assistance for food, clothing and a temporary place to stay. Red Cross casework volunteers will continue service to these families, many with small children, for the next several days.

 

Follow up services will include assistance with information about recovery as the individuals work towards getting back into a long term housing situation and replacing lost documents. Many times the follow up may also include visits with a Red Cross mental health volunteer as the trauma of losing everything is overwhelming. Many times having a shoulder to lean on is much needed therapy.

 

The response from the American Red Cross is all a gift from you, the volunteers and donors in the community. Together, we are neighbors helping neighbors. You can help by making a donation today. Call your local Red Cross Disaster Service office at 1-866-206-0256 or donate online at www.redcross.org.

 

 

 

 

 

For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: holderbyn@redcross-ozarks.org

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

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2012 June SMARC Event Coming Up!

			Southern Missouri Region 1545 N. West Bypass Springfield MO 65803 417-832-9500 Ext. 107 Contact:  Nigel Holderby nigel.holderby@redcross.org

Red Cross to Host Amateur Radio Club Event!

 

American Red Cross; Southern Missouri Region 6/18/12

 

 

Springfield, MO – In only 5 days, the Southwest Missouri Amateur Radio Club (SMARC), powered by Power Source Solar and hosted by the American Red Cross, will demonstrate their ability to operate without using traditional power mains for 24 hours.  In times of disaster or national crisis radio maybe the only way left to communicate.  This annual event is coordinated by the American Radio Relay League to test all radio amateurs nationwide. 

 

During many types of disasters critical communication’s infrastructure can be compromised.  Cell towers and phone lines no longer operate.  911 calls cannot be completed.  Ham radio is the only answer.  It has only been one year since the devastating Joplin Tornado where local heroes operated ham radios around the clock to keep hospitals connected and help coordinate other emergency efforts.  They provided lifesaving communications where none existed.  Come learn how you can help save lives on Saturday.

 

On this special occasion, you can:  Get on the radio without a license, learn about emergency preparedness and meet storm spotters; but best of all participation is fun and free, so join us anytime between Saturday, June 23^rd at 1:00pm to Sunday, June 24^th at 12:00pm on the American Red Cross lawn at 1545 N West Bypass; Springfield, MO.

 

 

 

For additional information please contact Nigel Holderby: nigel.holderby@redcross.org

 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

 

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