The American Red Cross needs more than 900 units of type O blood each day to meet the needs of patients in hospitals in this area. The American Red Cross of Union County will be hosting an “O” drive at the Red Cross on Friday December 28th. The chapter is located at 608 East Franklin Street in Monroe. The drive will be from 1:30 pm to 6:00 pm, and donors will receive an American Red Cross long sleeved t-shirt as a thank you. All donations are welcome, but a special plea is being made to type O donors. Approximately 44% of the population has type O blood, making it the most common blood type. Almost half of all daily hospital requests are for type O. In addition, type O negative blood is used in trauma situations to stabilize patients until their blood can be crossmatched. Type O negative blood is often used to save the lives of premature babies.

Other life saving events in Union County during the holiday:

• The Enquirer Journal will host a drive at their office at 500 West Jefferson Street on Thursday December 20th from 2 to 6:30 pm
• Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse is hosting a drive on Friday December 21st from 2 to 6:30 pm at their store on Roosevelt Blvd.
• Faith United Methodist is hosting a drive at the church located at 9708 Faith Church Road in the Lake Park Community on Sunday December 23 from 12 noon to 4:30 pm

All blood drives are open to the public and all blood types are needed. Blood donors must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. The entire collection process takes about an hour. A blood donation can be made every 56 days.

For information call the Union County Chapter at 704-283-7402.

Now, Union and Anson County community members have a new, convenient way to get trained in lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid — online.  The Union County chapter has partnered with the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis to offer Red Cross Online Training.    

The old adage about being in the right place at the right time came true Wednesday, October 31 for a group of American Red Cross disaster volunteers working the San Diego wildfires.

The Client Services Outreach team of four was canvassing an area devastated by the fires, walking around the property of a client whose home had been destroyed. They were on a mission to contact the client and ensure he was getting the necessary emergency assistance such as food, water, or clothing, when they discovered something much more devastating.

Union County American Red Cross volunteer Jessica Funk was the first to notice a smoldering brush on the property, ready to turn into another fire. The team immediately dialed 9-1-1.

“My conscience and Red Cross spirit wouldn’t allow me to walk away from a scene that could have become much more tragic,” explains Jessica.

A group of forestry fighters, who came from Idaho earlier that week to help contain the wildfires, were the first to arrive and put out the blaze. Thanks to their fast response time and the quick thinking of Jessica, along with the other members of the Client Services Outreach team, what might have been a disastrous fire was prevented.

“I’m so proud of Jessica and our two other disaster volunteers currently helping in the California Fire relief efforts,” states Deb Stein, Director of Response and Recovery for the Union County Red Cross. “It’s because of people like them, who are willing to be trained and ready to help at a moment’s notice, that allows the American Red Cross to continue bringing life-saving support and services to the community and ensures the relief efforts are what the American people have come to expect.”

In addition to Jessica, the Union County Chapter has another volunteer working as a Client Case Worker at the San Diego fires, and a third volunteer in San Bernardino, working as a Mass Care worker, distributing food, water, and other necessary materials to emergency workers and disaster victims.
The Red Cross relief efforts are far from over, and they will continue providing emergency services, keeping shelters open, and meeting the needs of those affected by the fires. To date, nearly 7,000 Red Cross workers across the country, most of which are volunteers, have gone to help. They have provided nearly 275,000 meals and 25,000 overnight stays in over twenty shelters. Sixty-three mobile feeding units have also gone out for those who could not make it to the shelters.

As we approach the holiday season, the Union County chapter encourages all citizens to check their smoke alarms and be extra cautious. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation to the local American Red Cross disaster relief fund for local family fires in Union or Anson counties, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.

As wildfires continue to rage throughout southern California, destroying hundreds of homes and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents, the Red Cross is continuing to work with officials to support the relief effort.

The Union County Chapter is assisting in these efforts by sending three volunteers to California. “Marilyn” and “Jess” are already in San Diego helping in Individual Client Services, where they are working as Client Case Workers providing one-on-one assistance to families. They help those affected by the fires get emergency assistance such as food, water, clothing, or finances, and when necessary give them referrals to other agencies that will continue helping them get back on their feet.

“Linda”, another Union County Volunteer, is going to San Bernardino on October 26 to work in Mass Care. She will be a Bulk Distribution Supervisor, where she will help gather and distribute food, water, and other necessary materials to firefighters and emergency workers in the affected areas as they work to battle the blazes and safeguard residents, and the disaster victims.
Here is a snapshot of Red Cross services as of midnight, Tuesday, October 23:

• The Red Cross and its partners have opened dozens of shelters across the region.
• 40 trucks full of supplies have arrived, bringing thousands of cots, blankets, toiletry kits and other needed items.
• 50 Mobile feeding vehicles have arrived with 25 more en route.
• Cleanup supplies are also en route. Supplies include rakes, shovels, and other useful equipment to help with cleanup in the affected communities.
• A large feeding kitchen will open at Petco Field to support the shelters, mobile feeding and the feeding to the emergency workers.
• Nearly 2000 Red Cross volunteers/workers have been deployed across the county to help.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

You may also donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by utilizing the Text 2HELP™ program established by the partnership of The Wireless Foundation and the American Red Cross. Subscribers of AT&T Mobility, Alltel, Boost Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and SunCom can donate $5 to relief efforts simply by text messaging keyword “GIVE” to “2HELP” (24357). The donations will appear on customers’ monthly bills or be debited from prepaid account balances.

Text 2HELP™ has been activated, and contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund will be accepted for the next 60 days. Money from the fund is used to support American Red Cross relief efforts throughout the country, as well as in California.

For more ways you can help the relief efforts or for information on the American Red Cross of Union County, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.

With witches, goblins, and super-heroes descending on neighborhoods across America, the American Red Cross offers parents some safety tips to help prepare their children for a safe and enjoyable trick-or-treat holiday. Halloween should be filled with surprise and enjoyment, and following some common sense practices can keep events safer and more fun.

• Walk, slither, and sneak on sidewalks, not in the street.
• Look both ways before crossing the street to check for cars, trucks, and low-flying brooms.
• Cross the street only at corners.
• Don’t hide or cross the street between parked cars.
• Wear light-colored or reflective-type clothing so you are more visible. (And remember to put reflective tape on bikes, skateboards, and brooms, too!)
• Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.
• Carry a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep away from open fires and candles. (Costumes can be extremely flammable.)
• Visit homes that have the porch light on.
• Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger’s house.
• Use face paint rather than masks or things that will cover your eyes.
• Be cautious of animals and strangers.
• Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating. And don’t eat candy if the package is already opened. Small, hard pieces of candy are a choking hazard for young children.

For more safety tips and information on the American Red Cross of Union County, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.

The American Red Cross of Union County is proud to offer Babysitter’s Training classes, providing youth ages 11-15 with a fun way to learn how to become safe and responsible babysitters. They learn a range of injury prevention and safety skills, as well as training in decision making, basic child care, leadership, and professionalism.

American Red Cross Babysitter’s Training is designed to be interactive and exciting, using tools such as hands-on activities, videos, demonstrations, role playing, and lively discussions. The class gives youth the confidence and valuable employment skills needed to impress parents.

It teaches youth how to:
- Perform First Aid
- Identify Common Safety Hazards and Prevent Injuries
- Make Good, Responsible Decisions
- Supervise Infants Through School-Age Children
- Chose Safe and Age-Appropriate Toys and Games
- Perform Basic Care Routines like Diapering, Feeding, and Dressing
- Prepare Simple Meals and Snacks
- Handle Bedtime Issues
- Find and Interview for Babysitting Jobs

The course has been reviewed and supported by a number of respected organizations, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Boy Scouts of the U.S.A., YMCA of the U.S.A., Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the 4-H Club in the U.S.A.

The class runs from 9am to 2:30pm and costs $40, with the next ones occurring on Saturday, October 27 and Saturday, December 8, 2007 at the Stallings office, located at 323 Stallings Road, in Stallings, NC. Scholarships are available for those who qualify, and any donations are welcome. Since these classes are scheduled for a whole day, please bring a bagged lunch and a drink. There are two forms parents will be required to fill out prior to enrolling their child in the class.

In addition to the Babysitter’s classes, the Red Cross offers Adult CPR, Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, a combination of the three classes called Community First Aid and Safety, a review session for individuals who need to be recertified, and a bloodborn pathogens class upon request. These classes and a lot more are offered online as well. However, anyone completing the online portion will still need to come into the Red Cross within 30 days to complete a short skills session.

For more information on the American Red Cross of Union County or the classes offered, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.

Imagine relaxing at a beautiful bed and breakfast, complete with tranquil gardens, elegant decor and luxury accommodations. You don’t have to simply imagine it - you can live it! Donate blood with the American Red Cross during the month of October and enter to win the “Fall into Donating” grand prize package, which includes two night’s accommodations for two at the 1847 Blake House Inn, a bed and breakfast located in a pastoral section of Asheville, North Carolina, as well as two tickets to the Biltmore Estate.

“The need for blood is ongoing and we at the American Red Cross need your help in order to provide life-saving blood and blood components to local hospital patients,” said Judy Duston, Blood Coordinator for the American Red Cross of Union County. “I would personally encourage everyone to donate blood in order to make our blood supply more stable and readily available. So as you enjoy this autumn season, fall into the habit of donating blood and platelets with your American Red Cross.”

The American Red Cross of Union County will hold multiple blood drives during the month of October, many of which have a special emphasis, such as a plea to type O blood donors, or in honor of a friend or family member who passed away.

The first, on Wednesday, October 3rd from 2:00 to 6:30pm, will take place at the American Red Cross Chapter, located at 608 E. Franklin Street in Monroe, and is sponsored by Hank’s Frozen Custard. The drive is different from ordinary blood drives in that the emphasis is on type O positive and negative blood types. These are the most frequently needed, and there is only half a day’s inventory available, putting it in emergency status. All blood will be accepted at the drive, but since type O is the universal blood group, meaning that it can be transfused to any individual with any blood type, a special plea is going out to type O individuals to come and donate.

Another drive will take place on Sunday, October 7th from 12:30 to 5:00pm at Allen Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department in Wingate. This is a memorial drive, marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Mark Beaver, who passed away from leukemia. Mark’s father, Dennis Beaver, is sponsoring the drive.

A drive on Thursday, October 25th from 2:30 to 7:00pm at Beaver Lane Volunteer Fire Department in Marshville will be the “Crystal Wilson Memorial Drive.” Crystal passed away eight years ago from cancer, and the drive is sponsored by the Beaver Lane Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

The final memorial drive is on Sunday, October 28th at Mt. Zion Church. This is sponsored by the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in honor of Joe P. McKinney, who passed away seven years ago from leukemia. His daughter, Veronica McKinney, is a Red Cross volunteer, serves on the Red Cross Blood Committee, and is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and donate blood at these or any of the drives the Red Cross is holding. Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion, and if everyone donated blood regularly, every 56 days, there would be enough blood to treat those in need.

In order to donate, one must be at least 17 years old, be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and bring a valid photo ID or an American Red Cross Blood Donor Card. For more information on the American Red Cross of Union County, or for a complete listing of the October blood drives, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.

On Friday, August 24, the American Red Cross of Union County will be holding a blood drive and bone marrow typing at Piedmont High School. The drive is in honor of Rick Phillips, a teacher at the school who has Leukemia.

Rick recently came out of being in remission for six years, and when the Principal, faculty, and staff at Piedmont High School found out, they wanted to do something to help, and contacted the Red Cross.

“Rick is currently undergoing chemotherapy at UNC Chapel Hill Hospital, where he is in great spirits and is very excited about the blood drive and bone marrow typing,” states Brenda Drye, a fellow teacher who is the lead person for the drive.

The drive will take place at 1619 Piedmont School Road, in Monroe, NC from 1:00pm to 6:30pm. In order to donate blood you must be 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health.

The National Bone Marrow Registry will also be on site for bone marrow typing. The process is very simple; you answer a few questions, someone swabs your cheek, and that’s it! You will then be entered into the national database where you could get the chance to save someone’s life. The National Marrow Donor Program maintains a national database of potential marrow donors, so even if you are not a match for Rick, you could be a match for some other person in need.

In order to sign-up for the bone marrow registry, you must be between the ages of 18 and 60, be willing to donate to any patient in need, and meet the health guidelines. For more information, log-on to www.marrow.org.

For more information on the American Red Cross of Union County, donating blood, or the bone marrow registry, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.

When the dog days of summer deliver hot temperatures and high humidity, the American Red Cross of Union County urges residents to take precautions against the heat.  Below are some ways you can beat the heat. 

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. 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.
• 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 elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.

General Care for Heat Emergencies: 

• Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion, and are the first indication that the body is having trouble with the heat. Heat exhaustion occurs when people exercise heavily or work where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  For both cases, 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. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, is a life-threatening situation! The victim stops sweating, and the body temperature can rise so quickly brain damage can occur. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number; move the person to a cooler place; quickly cool the body; immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it.  Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. 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.

For more information on the American Red Cross of Union County, or how to protect you and your family from the heat, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for

Anson
County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.

The American Red Cross of Union County will hold their 7th Annual Go For Blood! event on Saturday, August 4. The day kicks off at scenic Cane Creek Park in Waxhaw with cycling/running/equestrian routes leading you through the rolling pathways of North and South Carolina, and ends with a cook-out and raffle by the lake. There will be fun and sun for every fitness level and age, including children along for the ride in jog strollers.

Cyclists are invited to participate in the 60 and 35-Mile Cycling Tours, beginning at 7:30am. Equestrians will enjoy the scenic Hunter Pace as it winds under a canopy of trees, from 8:00am to 11:00am. Runners begin at 9:00am where they can attempt personal bests in the 5K, and the cook-out and raffle run from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Go For Blood! will also host a blood drive from 8:00am to 12:30 pm. You must be at least 17 years old, 110 pounds, and in good health to donate blood.

The event begins at 6:30am with on-site registration for $25, but you may also pre-register for $25 at www.unioncountyredcross.org or at Bolt Brothers Cycles in Waxhaw. Registration includes one or any combination of events, lunch by the lake, a t-shirt, raffle, silent auction musical entertainment provided by Jimmy Huntley of Bass FX, and much more. Items in the silent auction include a week’s stay at a beach house located on Pamlico Sound on the Outer Banks, an autographed Jimmie Johnson jacket, $500 worth of electrical services from Donovan Electric, and other wonderful items. Participants can also raise money to buy raffle tickets for loads of amazing goodies.

The American Red Cross would like to thank their sponsors, Greiner Bio-One, Cane Creek Park, Donovan Electric, Dale Jarrett Ford, Mineral Springs Fertilizer, Bob Gibson’s BBQ, Jimmy Huntley – Bass FX, Goulston Technologies Inc., State Utilities Contractors, Wal-Mart, Broome Lawn and Landscaping, Clearly Carolina, RCS, Inc., Copy 1, Bolt Brothers, Signs Now, Amber Grains, Panera Bread, LD Davis, and many more community partners.

All proceeds go to benefit the American Red Cross of Union County, now serving Union and Anson Counties, allowing them to continue bringing life saving services to the community. Services such as CPR and First Aid training; food, clothing, and shelter to people who lost their homes in a fire; getting urgent messages to military personnel from their families back home; and life saving blood drives.

For more information on the American Red Cross of Union County, or Go For Blood!, please contact the chapter at 704-283-7402 for Union County or 704-694-3514 for Anson County, or log-on to www.unioncountyredcross.org.