NASHVILLE, Tenn. — March is Red Cross Month and the American Red Cross would like to recognize the nation’s Everyday Heroes who reach out to help their neighbors when they are in need.
“Our heroes are our volunteers, our blood donors, people who take our classes or those who make a financial contribution to help us help others here in the Nashville area,” said Regional CEO, Joel Sullivan. “During Red Cross Month we thank them and encourage everyone to discover their inner hero by giving time to help people in our community.”
For more than 70 years, all of our country’s presidents, including President Barack Obama, have designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the American Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world.
The Red Cross responds to nearly 70,000 disasters of all sizes big and small in this country every year. It 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; collects and distributes about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other life-saving skills.
In Middle and West Tennessee, the Tennessee Volunteer Region responded to 932 local emergencies, delivered 1,593 emergency communication messages to service members and trained 14,302 people in lifesaving skills.
“Red Cross Month is also a great time for people to become part of the Red Cross. It’s easy,” Sullivan said. “They can become a Red Cross volunteer, work on a preparedness plan for their household, give blood, or take a Red Cross class.”
The Red Cross is not a government agency and 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.
To celebrate March is Red Cross Month, the Nashville Area Chapter is thrilled to honor Brentwood resident, supermodel, Niki Taylor, with the Crystal Cross award at the 12th Annual Lifesaver Breakfast on Tuesday, March 11th. Niki was critically injured in a 2001 car accident. She needed more than 100 transfusions during her treatment, and it took more than 300 blood donors to provide the blood and blood products she needed to survive. A car accident nearly took her life, but Niki took it back. Her experience turned her into a longtime supporter of the Red Cross and she is a member of the organization’s National Celebrity Cabinet. Niki is committed to raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood donation. She hopes that sharing her personal story will inspire others around the country to roll up a sleeve and donate blood or platelets. The Lifesaver Breakfast event, which is being chaired by Dr. and Mrs. Harry Jacobson, will also feature the Honorable Tom Ridge as the keynote speaker. To register, please visit redcross.org/LifesaverBreakfast2014.
Later in the month, Red Cross leadership from across the state of Tennessee will also be meeting with House and Senate legislators for a Red Cross Day at the Capitol in Nashville that is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th.
As a nationwide non-profit with a rich history spanning more than 130 years, the Red Cross depends on the generous contributions of time, blood and money from the American public to support its lifesaving services and programs and is encouraging people to get involved during the month of March and all year-long to help make a difference.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.