m27940108 Bay Area Newsletter Winter 2014
Content
Bay Area Chapter
Around the Bay
A publication of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter
Red Cross to Honor
CEO Paula Downey at
2014 Red Cross Gala
The American Red Cross Bay Area
Chapter has selected Paula Downey, the
President and Chief Executive Officer
of CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA
insurer, as the 2014 Humanitarian CEO
of the Year. Paula is being recognized
for embodying the visionary qualities
of a humanitarian by being a leader,
Paula Downey
an advocate, and a philanthropist,
who has made a significant contribution to the Bay Area
community. She is the first woman to receive this honor.
“No one is more deserving of this award than Paula,” beamed
Mark Cloutier, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Bay
Area Chapter. “Through Paula’s leadership, CSAA Insurance
Group’s partnership with the Red Cross is empowering
everyday people to make their communities safer and more
resilient and able to rebuild their lives after tragedy strikes.”
As the CEO of one of the nation’s largest providers of personal
insurance, Paula has a unique understanding of the impact
of disasters and strongly believes in disaster preparedness,
aligning her company’s values with those of the Red Cross.
As part of the company’s response team, she traveled to
Oklahoma following the series of devastating tornadoes this
past spring where she personally witnessed AAA and Red Cross
teams working tirelessly side by side to help the residents.
Paula shared that she was “honored and humbled” to be
Winter 2014
selected for the prestigious award. “I am inspired by our
generous and caring AAA employees, by all who provide
financial support for lifesaving Red Cross programs and
by the selflessness of Red Cross employees and volunteers,
who accomplish so much with every dollar raised.”
Over the past 14 years, the company has hosted 170 blood
drives and delivered 6,800 pints of blood. Since 2008, 337
employees have participated in Red Cross “Ready When the
Time Comes” Preparedness courses and Red Cross Disaster
Drills. The company also offered CPR training to all employees.
CSAA Insurance Group also funds the Community
Safety Foundation, a major contributor in the area
of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery
through a $2 million grant to the Red Cross.
Paula will formally accept the award at the 2014 Red Cross
Gala, the year’s premiere fundraising event held on April
5, 2014, for 750 attendees at the Great Lawn on Treasure
Island. Last year’s Red Cross Gala raised more than $1.3
million for local disaster preparedness, response, and
recovery in addition to raising awareness of the vital role
the Red Cross plays in local and global communities.
2014 Red Cross Gala
•
April 5, 2014 from 6 p.m. to midnight
•
Great Lawn on Treasure Island
•
Cocktails, Dinner, Dancing, Auction
•
Presenting Sponsors: AAA, Deloitte, and Saama Technologies
•
Gala Co-Chairs: Gwyneth Borden & Lillian Phan
•
Honorary Co-Chairs: Mary Cranston & Alexander R. Mehran
•
Tickets: $425 until February 2014, $495 thereafter.
Purchase tickets at redcrossbayareagala.org or
by calling Donna Souza at (415) 427-8170.
Inside
P2 Superstorm Sandy
Update Available
P4 Blood Donors Support
Boy for Six Years
P6 Red Cross Apps: 1 Year,
3 Million Downloads
Visit redcross.org/BayArea for the
latest news, events, and volunteer
opportunities and follow us on:
Facebook.com/RedCrossBayArea
@RedCrossBayArea
flickr.com/photos/RedCross_BayArea
youtube.com/RedCrossBayArea
Page 2
Letter from the CEO
As the New Year begins, I challenge you to resolve to be Red Cross
Ready. Individuals that achieve this level of preparedness will be
the ones leading the way when an emergency or disaster occurs.
Below are some ways to become Red Cross Ready:
1. Take Time to Prepare – Check out our Local Programs
& Services page at redcross.org/bayarea to increase your
community preparedness level. Printable materials including
tips and a wallet card are available in 14 languages.
2. Take a Class – The Bay Area Chapter trains
thousands of individuals every year in skills like CPR,
water safety, and how to be Red Cross Ready. Go to
redcross.org to find classes close to your home or work.
Business owners, schools, and organizations can join
the Ready Rating Program at readyrating.org.
3. Become a Red Cross Volunteer – Everyone
should experience the reward of helping others in
need. Adult, corporation, and youth volunteers are
always needed. E-mail [email protected] or call
1-888-4-HELP-BAY to find out how to volunteer.
Superstorm Sandy Report Available
A one-year Superstorm Sandy report is now available. The
report details the extraordinary measures taken by more than
17,000-trained American Red Cross disaster workers, including
97 members of the Bay Area Chapter. Some local individuals
deployed four times.
The response included:
• Serving more than 17.5
million meals and snacks in a
huge feeding operation.
• Handing out more than 7
million relief items such as
cold weather items and cleanup supplies.
• Providing nearly 113,000
health services and emotional
support contacts for people
who have been living in very
tough conditions.
American Red Cross
volunteer Maireid Steina
provides a blanket to Gaby
Rautenstrauch at the Red
Cross Distribution Center in
Staten Island, New York, on
November 4, 2012. Photo
by Talia Frenkel/American
Red Cross
• Providing 74,000 shelter
stays.
The report and other information on the Red Cross Sandy relief
and recovery efforts can be found at redcross.org/sandy-response.
4. Give Blood – This involves lying down in a relaxed
state for around 45 minutes. Anyone feeling capable
of that? If so, go to redcrossblood.org to find a
blood drive or donation location near you.
5. Download Red Cross Mobile Apps – Keep
preparedness information readily available by
downloading our free apps to your smartphone. See
page six for more information about the apps.
Happy New Year and I wish you a happy, healthy, and safe 2014!
Best Regards,
Mark Cloutier, CEO
American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter
Chapter Sends
Holiday Mail
to Heroes
The American Red Cross
2013 Holiday Mail for
Heroes program, which
Bay Area Youth volunteers
ran from September 30
created hundreds of cards at
the Holiday Mail for Heroes
to December 6, enabled
card signing event.
Americans to provide a
“touch of home” by sending
a holiday card to a service
member. The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter sent a
message of thanks and holiday cheer, and signed more than
12,000 cards to service members, veterans, and their families
at more than 20 events.
One successful card-signing event was held at VISA where 100
Bay Area employees signed more than 3,500 cards in one half
day event.
Since the program began in 2006, the Red Cross has received
and distributed more than 6.5 million cards. Though the
holiday season is over, we continue to provide service to those
who serve our country. Visit redcross.org to learn more about
the services we provide and how you can help.
Page 3
Why I Help: Jon Hammond
Jon Hammond has helped countless
people locally and across the nation
through his work with the American Red
Cross, providing support to those affected
by an emergency or a disaster in those
sudden, worried moments when they
need it most.
“It’s one thing to earn a paycheck,” said
Jon, who lives in Contra Costa County,
“but it’s a whole other thing to reach out
and make a difference in someone’s life.”
Jon Hammond
Jon has been volunteering with the Red Cross Bay Area Chapter
for the past five years. He began attending local emergency
response training courses in order to help support his neighbors
and community. Shortly after completing the training, Jon joined
the Red Cross where he became a local emergency responder,
providing aid and services to those affected by house and
apartment fires.
“A lot of these people have no place else to turn,” explained Jon,
referring to those he and numerous other Red Cross workers help
support after a local fire. “We put some clothes on their backs,
some food in their bellies, and a roof over their heads.”
In communities across the nation, Red Cross local responders
come to the aid of families and individuals who have been
displaced by fire. There are currently approximately 65 Red
Cross local responders in Contra Costa County. These generous
men and women respond, on average, to nine or 10 emergency
calls each month. Jon consistently takes the highest number of
response shifts in the county. He is also working with fellow Red
Cross volunteer Karen Newton to survey and evaluate potential
locations for shelters in Contra Costa County.
In addition to all the wonderful work Jon does locally, he has
also gone to aid in the relief efforts of several national disasters,
including Hurricane Sandy and the Prescott wildfire in Arizona,
which claimed the lives of 19 firefighters and left hundreds
without homes.
As taxing as all these duties with the Red Cross may be, Jon said
he never questions the value and rewards the work he is doing
provides.
“It’s a good feeling you can’t get any other way, and when it’s for
your community, it’s even better,” he said.
Emergency Plan Helped Woman Escape Fire
When Barbara Gruener woke up to the
sound of a smoke alarm in her Redwood
City apartment, she did not know her
building was minutes away from turning
into a six-alarm fire.
Barbara Gruener
used her
emergency plan
to escape from
her burning
apartment
building.
“At first I thought the smoke detector
battery was failing. It wasn’t that loud,
many of the neighbors didn’t even wake
up,” Barbara said.
Peering out into the hallway, Barbara could
not see any signs of fire but decided to get
outside to be safe. Within five minutes, she
dressed and grabbed a bag containing her
valuables.
But in that time, the door had jammed shut.
“When I tried to open the door and couldn’t, I became really
scared,” Barbara said.
Just three days before the fire, Barbara had noticed her gas heater
had a small pilot light. She started thinking about how each of the
building’s 75 units had a similar appliance, and then about how
she would react if there was a fire. Then, Barbara took the first
step in becoming Red Cross Ready—she developed an emergency
plan.
“My plan was to get dressed and get important things–visa,
passport, cell phone, car keys, and purse,” said Barbara, who
had been living in the Terrace Apartments since March after
moving from Germany for her work in cancer research. With the
front door no longer an option and smoke filling her apartment,
Barbara went to the balcony. Waking her downstairs neighbors,
the group climbed down to safety.
“It was dark, and I lost my grip at one point and thought I was
going to fall three floors.”
Barbara and her neighbors made it to the second floor and exited
through another apartment. By now, firefighters had arrived.
Fortunately, all 75 residents escaped.
The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter volunteers arrived in
the middle of the night to help those affected by this fire—just like
they do more than 400 times a year in the Bay Area.
“I’m really grateful to the Red Cross, they did a really great job,”
said Barbara.
Page 4
Red Cross Blood
Donors Support
San Ramon Boy
for Six Years
In 2006, San Ramon residents Alex and Carol Low
were preparing to welcome a healthy baby boy into
the world. But when baby Dillon was born, it was
immediately apparent that there was a problem.
“We knew something was wrong when I asked, ‘where’s
my baby?’” Carol said. “The doctors were silent at
the time, but came over and showed him to me for
about five seconds and then rushed him off.”
Tests revealed that Dillon was born with an exceedingly
low level of hemoglobin. He was diagnosed with Diamond
Blackfan Anemia–a rare genetic disorder that prevented his
bone marrow from producing red blood cells. A bone marrow
transplant could potentially cure him, but Dillon would require
monthly blood transfusions until a suitable donor could be found.
“We have a child who
is still here–who is
still alive–because
of blood donations
and the sacrifices
the donors made for
him.”
— Carol Low
The American Red Cross in
Northern California worked to
identify and recruit a small group
of blood donors to meet Dillon’s
ongoing transfusion needs.
These donors were encouraged
to maintain their eligibility and
be prepared to donate whenever
needed–often with very little
notice. And for the next six years,
that is exactly what they did.
“It was very difficult as a parent to watch your child go to
the hospital every three to four weeks,” said Carol, who
accompanied Dillon on the daylong trips to receive the blood
that would keep him well and vibrant. “But we were extremely
grateful the blood was always available when he needed it.”
San Ramon residents Alex, Dillon, and Carol Low show a
drawing Dillon made thanking Red Cross blood donors.
Finally, in May 2012, Dillon received the bone marrow
transplant that cured him of the life-threatening blood
disorder. Now, according to his doctor, Dillon is expected to
live a normal life and “should be able to climb any mountain,
swim in the Olympics, and run any marathon if he wants.”
“Since the transplant, [Dillon] has been doing
very well,” Carol said. “Overall, he’s just a happy
child–living life like any other 6-year-old.”
Over the course of his treatment, Dillon received approximately
80 transfusions–roughly six gallons of blood. The selfless
dedication that the anonymous blood donors showed for
Dillon has left a lasting impression on his parents.
“That blood was his lifeline,” said Alex, who has since become
a blood donor with the hope of helping someone else’s family.
“We have a child who is still here–who is still
alive–because of blood donations and the sacrifices
the donors made for him,” Carol said.
Blood Donations
In order to meet the needs of local patients, the American Red Cross must collect approximately 1,800 pints of blood and platelets
each week. The Red Cross provides blood to nearly 30 hospitals in the greater-Bay Area–including Alameda County Medical Center
in Oakland; Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward; Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez; and John Muir
Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
The need for blood is constant; and the Red Cross relies on the generous support of volunteer donors and blood drive sponsors in
order to carry out its lifesaving mission. For more information about donating blood or becoming a blood drive sponsor, please call
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
Page 5
Local Red Cross
Reconnecting
Filipino Families
The Philippines, a nation of more than 7,000 islands, faces
enormous devastation in the aftermath of Super Typhoon
Haiyan that produced record strength winds along with high
storm surges this past November. Approximately 10 million
people across 40 provinces were affected, with as many
as 4 million people displaced. Aside from displacement, the
internet and power are down, making it difficult, and sometimes
impossible, for family members to communicate.
The Restoring Family Links service of the American Red Cross
helps people in the United States reconnect with their loved
ones in other countries after they lose touch because of war,
migration, or disasters. This free service, made possible by
voluntary services and financial support of the American public,
is actively helping members of our own community to get back
in touch with their family members in the Philippines.
Red Cross workers in the Gateway to the Golden State Region
have opened 33 cases to help re-establish communications for
residents with their loved ones in the Philippines. About 80
percent of the families who contacted the Bay Area, Monterey
This photo was taken
one week after Super
Typhoon Haiyan
struck Tanuan, one
of the oldest towns
in the Province of
Leyte, Philippines.
Every house in the
town of 50,000 was
badly damaged or
destroyed. Photo:
Patrick Fuller, IFRC
Bay Area, Silicon Valley, or Santa Cruz County Chapters have
successfully been able to re-establish contact with loved ones,
either on their own, or through help from the Red Cross or
other agencies.
The global Red Cross network has also responded to emergency
needs in the Philippines with food, water, and relief supplies and
the American Red Cross provided highly skilled individuals and
equipment to the massive relief effort. Generous donors in our
Region have raised more than $11 million to assist with the relief
and recovery efforts.
Learn more about the
Restoring Family Links
Program:
Learn more about the
Super Typhoon Haiyan
Response:
redcross.org/bayarea
redcross.org
Create a Legacy of Compassion
Become a Volunteer
Make this year the year you make or revise your will or living
trust. Don’t delay this any longer! Whether it’s completing or
updating your estate plan, it is a key part of preparedness for
life’s eventualities, ensuring that your loved ones and those
causes important to you are provided for after you are gone.
The American Red Cross
Bay Area Chapter is
always looking for talented
individuals to join our
team of volunteers. Below
are two ways you can get
involved:
Many loyal Red Cross donors feel that the Red Cross is an
important part of their extended “family”—that special group
of people and programs that have enriched and given meaning
to their lives, while providing vital services to our community.
If you are one of these people, please consider making a
bequest to the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter in your
will or living trust, to ensure the future vitality of America’s
foremost humanitarian charity. All bequests, large or small,
have a very real positive impact on our future.
If you need information about bequests and other types
of possible legacy gifts please contact Bill Ruettinger, Gift
Planning Director, at [email protected] or call
(415) 427-8989, for assistance in including the Red Cross in
your estate plan. You can find more information on legacy
giving at redcrosslegacy.org.
• Health and Safety
Course Volunteer
Instructors: Become
certified as an instructor and conduct courses in emergency
preparedness, CPR, First Aid, AED, and/or California
Childcare Certification.
• Communications Public Affairs Volunteer: Members are
responsible for media relations and communications during
disasters within the Chapter.
For more information on how to become a volunteer,
please email [email protected].
Page 6
Local Heroes Honored at Five
Chapter Events
Red Cross Apps: 1 Year,
3 Million Downloads
The Bay Area Chapter honored local individuals and
organizations that make a difference in their community
through acts of courage and kindness. Below are some of the
heroes recognized this past fall.
The Red Cross has developed a suite of seven mobile apps that
allow users to access critical information on what to do before,
during, and after disasters and emergencies.
To read about all of the heroes recognized:
go to redcross.org/ARCBAHeroes.
The free Red Cross apps, listed below, are available at the Apple
App Store and the Google Play Store for Android. Search for
American Red Cross or go to redcross.org/mobileapps.
Alameda County
First Aid
Animal Rescue Hero: Sara O’Brien
View step-by-step first aid instruction, and learn
safety and preparedness tips for severe weather and
other emergencies or disasters.
Sara fought against the odds to rehabilitate
a two-month-old abused dog, Gilhooley.
Shelter Finder
Contra Costa County
Lifesaving Hero: Ryan Sealey
Ryan performed CPR on a four-year-old
girl who had been underwater for several
minutes at a fitness center in Antioch.
Marin County
Act of Kindness Hero: Reverend Betty
Pagett
Reverend Pagett came up with the idea
to transition homeless families from
emergency shelters to permanent housing
at Oma Village.
San Francisco County
Community Service Hero, Organization:
Project Open Hand
Project Open Hand provides more than
2,500 meals and 400 bags of groceries
daily to seniors and the critically ill.
Solano County
Find Red Cross shelters on an easy-to-use map
interface.
Earthquake
Learn what to do before, during, and after an
earthquake. Receive alerts and notifications when
an earthquake occurs, find help, and let others know
you are safe—even if the power is out.
Wildfire
Access information on what to do before, during, and
after wildfires—even without mobile connectivity.
Get the latest news from local, state, and federal fire
agencies in the “Wildfire News” section.
Hurricane
Get real-time hurricane safety information, weather
alerts, and information about Red Cross shelters.
Tornado
Receive real-time tornado warning alerts such as a
high-pitched siren that signals when the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
issues a tornado warning.
Act of Courage Hero: Perry Hookey
Team Red Cross
Perry rescued a 43-year-old unconscious
man from a burning big-rig truck moments
before it exploded.
Sign up to volunteer with the Red Cross, get an
overview on basic tasks, and receive notifications
about local Red Cross disaster volunteer
opportunities.
86715
Around the Bay
A publication of the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter
Red Cross to Honor
CEO Paula Downey at
2014 Red Cross Gala
The American Red Cross Bay Area
Chapter has selected Paula Downey, the
President and Chief Executive Officer
of CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA
insurer, as the 2014 Humanitarian CEO
of the Year. Paula is being recognized
for embodying the visionary qualities
of a humanitarian by being a leader,
Paula Downey
an advocate, and a philanthropist,
who has made a significant contribution to the Bay Area
community. She is the first woman to receive this honor.
“No one is more deserving of this award than Paula,” beamed
Mark Cloutier, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Bay
Area Chapter. “Through Paula’s leadership, CSAA Insurance
Group’s partnership with the Red Cross is empowering
everyday people to make their communities safer and more
resilient and able to rebuild their lives after tragedy strikes.”
As the CEO of one of the nation’s largest providers of personal
insurance, Paula has a unique understanding of the impact
of disasters and strongly believes in disaster preparedness,
aligning her company’s values with those of the Red Cross.
As part of the company’s response team, she traveled to
Oklahoma following the series of devastating tornadoes this
past spring where she personally witnessed AAA and Red Cross
teams working tirelessly side by side to help the residents.
Paula shared that she was “honored and humbled” to be
Winter 2014
selected for the prestigious award. “I am inspired by our
generous and caring AAA employees, by all who provide
financial support for lifesaving Red Cross programs and
by the selflessness of Red Cross employees and volunteers,
who accomplish so much with every dollar raised.”
Over the past 14 years, the company has hosted 170 blood
drives and delivered 6,800 pints of blood. Since 2008, 337
employees have participated in Red Cross “Ready When the
Time Comes” Preparedness courses and Red Cross Disaster
Drills. The company also offered CPR training to all employees.
CSAA Insurance Group also funds the Community
Safety Foundation, a major contributor in the area
of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery
through a $2 million grant to the Red Cross.
Paula will formally accept the award at the 2014 Red Cross
Gala, the year’s premiere fundraising event held on April
5, 2014, for 750 attendees at the Great Lawn on Treasure
Island. Last year’s Red Cross Gala raised more than $1.3
million for local disaster preparedness, response, and
recovery in addition to raising awareness of the vital role
the Red Cross plays in local and global communities.
2014 Red Cross Gala
•
April 5, 2014 from 6 p.m. to midnight
•
Great Lawn on Treasure Island
•
Cocktails, Dinner, Dancing, Auction
•
Presenting Sponsors: AAA, Deloitte, and Saama Technologies
•
Gala Co-Chairs: Gwyneth Borden & Lillian Phan
•
Honorary Co-Chairs: Mary Cranston & Alexander R. Mehran
•
Tickets: $425 until February 2014, $495 thereafter.
Purchase tickets at redcrossbayareagala.org or
by calling Donna Souza at (415) 427-8170.
Inside
P2 Superstorm Sandy
Update Available
P4 Blood Donors Support
Boy for Six Years
P6 Red Cross Apps: 1 Year,
3 Million Downloads
Visit redcross.org/BayArea for the
latest news, events, and volunteer
opportunities and follow us on:
Facebook.com/RedCrossBayArea
@RedCrossBayArea
flickr.com/photos/RedCross_BayArea
youtube.com/RedCrossBayArea
Page 2
Letter from the CEO
As the New Year begins, I challenge you to resolve to be Red Cross
Ready. Individuals that achieve this level of preparedness will be
the ones leading the way when an emergency or disaster occurs.
Below are some ways to become Red Cross Ready:
1. Take Time to Prepare – Check out our Local Programs
& Services page at redcross.org/bayarea to increase your
community preparedness level. Printable materials including
tips and a wallet card are available in 14 languages.
2. Take a Class – The Bay Area Chapter trains
thousands of individuals every year in skills like CPR,
water safety, and how to be Red Cross Ready. Go to
redcross.org to find classes close to your home or work.
Business owners, schools, and organizations can join
the Ready Rating Program at readyrating.org.
3. Become a Red Cross Volunteer – Everyone
should experience the reward of helping others in
need. Adult, corporation, and youth volunteers are
always needed. E-mail [email protected] or call
1-888-4-HELP-BAY to find out how to volunteer.
Superstorm Sandy Report Available
A one-year Superstorm Sandy report is now available. The
report details the extraordinary measures taken by more than
17,000-trained American Red Cross disaster workers, including
97 members of the Bay Area Chapter. Some local individuals
deployed four times.
The response included:
• Serving more than 17.5
million meals and snacks in a
huge feeding operation.
• Handing out more than 7
million relief items such as
cold weather items and cleanup supplies.
• Providing nearly 113,000
health services and emotional
support contacts for people
who have been living in very
tough conditions.
American Red Cross
volunteer Maireid Steina
provides a blanket to Gaby
Rautenstrauch at the Red
Cross Distribution Center in
Staten Island, New York, on
November 4, 2012. Photo
by Talia Frenkel/American
Red Cross
• Providing 74,000 shelter
stays.
The report and other information on the Red Cross Sandy relief
and recovery efforts can be found at redcross.org/sandy-response.
4. Give Blood – This involves lying down in a relaxed
state for around 45 minutes. Anyone feeling capable
of that? If so, go to redcrossblood.org to find a
blood drive or donation location near you.
5. Download Red Cross Mobile Apps – Keep
preparedness information readily available by
downloading our free apps to your smartphone. See
page six for more information about the apps.
Happy New Year and I wish you a happy, healthy, and safe 2014!
Best Regards,
Mark Cloutier, CEO
American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter
Chapter Sends
Holiday Mail
to Heroes
The American Red Cross
2013 Holiday Mail for
Heroes program, which
Bay Area Youth volunteers
ran from September 30
created hundreds of cards at
the Holiday Mail for Heroes
to December 6, enabled
card signing event.
Americans to provide a
“touch of home” by sending
a holiday card to a service
member. The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter sent a
message of thanks and holiday cheer, and signed more than
12,000 cards to service members, veterans, and their families
at more than 20 events.
One successful card-signing event was held at VISA where 100
Bay Area employees signed more than 3,500 cards in one half
day event.
Since the program began in 2006, the Red Cross has received
and distributed more than 6.5 million cards. Though the
holiday season is over, we continue to provide service to those
who serve our country. Visit redcross.org to learn more about
the services we provide and how you can help.
Page 3
Why I Help: Jon Hammond
Jon Hammond has helped countless
people locally and across the nation
through his work with the American Red
Cross, providing support to those affected
by an emergency or a disaster in those
sudden, worried moments when they
need it most.
“It’s one thing to earn a paycheck,” said
Jon, who lives in Contra Costa County,
“but it’s a whole other thing to reach out
and make a difference in someone’s life.”
Jon Hammond
Jon has been volunteering with the Red Cross Bay Area Chapter
for the past five years. He began attending local emergency
response training courses in order to help support his neighbors
and community. Shortly after completing the training, Jon joined
the Red Cross where he became a local emergency responder,
providing aid and services to those affected by house and
apartment fires.
“A lot of these people have no place else to turn,” explained Jon,
referring to those he and numerous other Red Cross workers help
support after a local fire. “We put some clothes on their backs,
some food in their bellies, and a roof over their heads.”
In communities across the nation, Red Cross local responders
come to the aid of families and individuals who have been
displaced by fire. There are currently approximately 65 Red
Cross local responders in Contra Costa County. These generous
men and women respond, on average, to nine or 10 emergency
calls each month. Jon consistently takes the highest number of
response shifts in the county. He is also working with fellow Red
Cross volunteer Karen Newton to survey and evaluate potential
locations for shelters in Contra Costa County.
In addition to all the wonderful work Jon does locally, he has
also gone to aid in the relief efforts of several national disasters,
including Hurricane Sandy and the Prescott wildfire in Arizona,
which claimed the lives of 19 firefighters and left hundreds
without homes.
As taxing as all these duties with the Red Cross may be, Jon said
he never questions the value and rewards the work he is doing
provides.
“It’s a good feeling you can’t get any other way, and when it’s for
your community, it’s even better,” he said.
Emergency Plan Helped Woman Escape Fire
When Barbara Gruener woke up to the
sound of a smoke alarm in her Redwood
City apartment, she did not know her
building was minutes away from turning
into a six-alarm fire.
Barbara Gruener
used her
emergency plan
to escape from
her burning
apartment
building.
“At first I thought the smoke detector
battery was failing. It wasn’t that loud,
many of the neighbors didn’t even wake
up,” Barbara said.
Peering out into the hallway, Barbara could
not see any signs of fire but decided to get
outside to be safe. Within five minutes, she
dressed and grabbed a bag containing her
valuables.
But in that time, the door had jammed shut.
“When I tried to open the door and couldn’t, I became really
scared,” Barbara said.
Just three days before the fire, Barbara had noticed her gas heater
had a small pilot light. She started thinking about how each of the
building’s 75 units had a similar appliance, and then about how
she would react if there was a fire. Then, Barbara took the first
step in becoming Red Cross Ready—she developed an emergency
plan.
“My plan was to get dressed and get important things–visa,
passport, cell phone, car keys, and purse,” said Barbara, who
had been living in the Terrace Apartments since March after
moving from Germany for her work in cancer research. With the
front door no longer an option and smoke filling her apartment,
Barbara went to the balcony. Waking her downstairs neighbors,
the group climbed down to safety.
“It was dark, and I lost my grip at one point and thought I was
going to fall three floors.”
Barbara and her neighbors made it to the second floor and exited
through another apartment. By now, firefighters had arrived.
Fortunately, all 75 residents escaped.
The American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter volunteers arrived in
the middle of the night to help those affected by this fire—just like
they do more than 400 times a year in the Bay Area.
“I’m really grateful to the Red Cross, they did a really great job,”
said Barbara.
Page 4
Red Cross Blood
Donors Support
San Ramon Boy
for Six Years
In 2006, San Ramon residents Alex and Carol Low
were preparing to welcome a healthy baby boy into
the world. But when baby Dillon was born, it was
immediately apparent that there was a problem.
“We knew something was wrong when I asked, ‘where’s
my baby?’” Carol said. “The doctors were silent at
the time, but came over and showed him to me for
about five seconds and then rushed him off.”
Tests revealed that Dillon was born with an exceedingly
low level of hemoglobin. He was diagnosed with Diamond
Blackfan Anemia–a rare genetic disorder that prevented his
bone marrow from producing red blood cells. A bone marrow
transplant could potentially cure him, but Dillon would require
monthly blood transfusions until a suitable donor could be found.
“We have a child who
is still here–who is
still alive–because
of blood donations
and the sacrifices
the donors made for
him.”
— Carol Low
The American Red Cross in
Northern California worked to
identify and recruit a small group
of blood donors to meet Dillon’s
ongoing transfusion needs.
These donors were encouraged
to maintain their eligibility and
be prepared to donate whenever
needed–often with very little
notice. And for the next six years,
that is exactly what they did.
“It was very difficult as a parent to watch your child go to
the hospital every three to four weeks,” said Carol, who
accompanied Dillon on the daylong trips to receive the blood
that would keep him well and vibrant. “But we were extremely
grateful the blood was always available when he needed it.”
San Ramon residents Alex, Dillon, and Carol Low show a
drawing Dillon made thanking Red Cross blood donors.
Finally, in May 2012, Dillon received the bone marrow
transplant that cured him of the life-threatening blood
disorder. Now, according to his doctor, Dillon is expected to
live a normal life and “should be able to climb any mountain,
swim in the Olympics, and run any marathon if he wants.”
“Since the transplant, [Dillon] has been doing
very well,” Carol said. “Overall, he’s just a happy
child–living life like any other 6-year-old.”
Over the course of his treatment, Dillon received approximately
80 transfusions–roughly six gallons of blood. The selfless
dedication that the anonymous blood donors showed for
Dillon has left a lasting impression on his parents.
“That blood was his lifeline,” said Alex, who has since become
a blood donor with the hope of helping someone else’s family.
“We have a child who is still here–who is still
alive–because of blood donations and the sacrifices
the donors made for him,” Carol said.
Blood Donations
In order to meet the needs of local patients, the American Red Cross must collect approximately 1,800 pints of blood and platelets
each week. The Red Cross provides blood to nearly 30 hospitals in the greater-Bay Area–including Alameda County Medical Center
in Oakland; Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Hayward; Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez; and John Muir
Medical Center in Walnut Creek.
The need for blood is constant; and the Red Cross relies on the generous support of volunteer donors and blood drive sponsors in
order to carry out its lifesaving mission. For more information about donating blood or becoming a blood drive sponsor, please call
1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.
Page 5
Local Red Cross
Reconnecting
Filipino Families
The Philippines, a nation of more than 7,000 islands, faces
enormous devastation in the aftermath of Super Typhoon
Haiyan that produced record strength winds along with high
storm surges this past November. Approximately 10 million
people across 40 provinces were affected, with as many
as 4 million people displaced. Aside from displacement, the
internet and power are down, making it difficult, and sometimes
impossible, for family members to communicate.
The Restoring Family Links service of the American Red Cross
helps people in the United States reconnect with their loved
ones in other countries after they lose touch because of war,
migration, or disasters. This free service, made possible by
voluntary services and financial support of the American public,
is actively helping members of our own community to get back
in touch with their family members in the Philippines.
Red Cross workers in the Gateway to the Golden State Region
have opened 33 cases to help re-establish communications for
residents with their loved ones in the Philippines. About 80
percent of the families who contacted the Bay Area, Monterey
This photo was taken
one week after Super
Typhoon Haiyan
struck Tanuan, one
of the oldest towns
in the Province of
Leyte, Philippines.
Every house in the
town of 50,000 was
badly damaged or
destroyed. Photo:
Patrick Fuller, IFRC
Bay Area, Silicon Valley, or Santa Cruz County Chapters have
successfully been able to re-establish contact with loved ones,
either on their own, or through help from the Red Cross or
other agencies.
The global Red Cross network has also responded to emergency
needs in the Philippines with food, water, and relief supplies and
the American Red Cross provided highly skilled individuals and
equipment to the massive relief effort. Generous donors in our
Region have raised more than $11 million to assist with the relief
and recovery efforts.
Learn more about the
Restoring Family Links
Program:
Learn more about the
Super Typhoon Haiyan
Response:
redcross.org/bayarea
redcross.org
Create a Legacy of Compassion
Become a Volunteer
Make this year the year you make or revise your will or living
trust. Don’t delay this any longer! Whether it’s completing or
updating your estate plan, it is a key part of preparedness for
life’s eventualities, ensuring that your loved ones and those
causes important to you are provided for after you are gone.
The American Red Cross
Bay Area Chapter is
always looking for talented
individuals to join our
team of volunteers. Below
are two ways you can get
involved:
Many loyal Red Cross donors feel that the Red Cross is an
important part of their extended “family”—that special group
of people and programs that have enriched and given meaning
to their lives, while providing vital services to our community.
If you are one of these people, please consider making a
bequest to the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter in your
will or living trust, to ensure the future vitality of America’s
foremost humanitarian charity. All bequests, large or small,
have a very real positive impact on our future.
If you need information about bequests and other types
of possible legacy gifts please contact Bill Ruettinger, Gift
Planning Director, at [email protected] or call
(415) 427-8989, for assistance in including the Red Cross in
your estate plan. You can find more information on legacy
giving at redcrosslegacy.org.
• Health and Safety
Course Volunteer
Instructors: Become
certified as an instructor and conduct courses in emergency
preparedness, CPR, First Aid, AED, and/or California
Childcare Certification.
• Communications Public Affairs Volunteer: Members are
responsible for media relations and communications during
disasters within the Chapter.
For more information on how to become a volunteer,
please email [email protected].
Page 6
Local Heroes Honored at Five
Chapter Events
Red Cross Apps: 1 Year,
3 Million Downloads
The Bay Area Chapter honored local individuals and
organizations that make a difference in their community
through acts of courage and kindness. Below are some of the
heroes recognized this past fall.
The Red Cross has developed a suite of seven mobile apps that
allow users to access critical information on what to do before,
during, and after disasters and emergencies.
To read about all of the heroes recognized:
go to redcross.org/ARCBAHeroes.
The free Red Cross apps, listed below, are available at the Apple
App Store and the Google Play Store for Android. Search for
American Red Cross or go to redcross.org/mobileapps.
Alameda County
First Aid
Animal Rescue Hero: Sara O’Brien
View step-by-step first aid instruction, and learn
safety and preparedness tips for severe weather and
other emergencies or disasters.
Sara fought against the odds to rehabilitate
a two-month-old abused dog, Gilhooley.
Shelter Finder
Contra Costa County
Lifesaving Hero: Ryan Sealey
Ryan performed CPR on a four-year-old
girl who had been underwater for several
minutes at a fitness center in Antioch.
Marin County
Act of Kindness Hero: Reverend Betty
Pagett
Reverend Pagett came up with the idea
to transition homeless families from
emergency shelters to permanent housing
at Oma Village.
San Francisco County
Community Service Hero, Organization:
Project Open Hand
Project Open Hand provides more than
2,500 meals and 400 bags of groceries
daily to seniors and the critically ill.
Solano County
Find Red Cross shelters on an easy-to-use map
interface.
Earthquake
Learn what to do before, during, and after an
earthquake. Receive alerts and notifications when
an earthquake occurs, find help, and let others know
you are safe—even if the power is out.
Wildfire
Access information on what to do before, during, and
after wildfires—even without mobile connectivity.
Get the latest news from local, state, and federal fire
agencies in the “Wildfire News” section.
Hurricane
Get real-time hurricane safety information, weather
alerts, and information about Red Cross shelters.
Tornado
Receive real-time tornado warning alerts such as a
high-pitched siren that signals when the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
issues a tornado warning.
Act of Courage Hero: Perry Hookey
Team Red Cross
Perry rescued a 43-year-old unconscious
man from a burning big-rig truck moments
before it exploded.
Sign up to volunteer with the Red Cross, get an
overview on basic tasks, and receive notifications
about local Red Cross disaster volunteer
opportunities.
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