Canada’s Wildfire Relief Efforts Supported by Hometown Gal

The Canadian and the American Red Cross joined forces to support 10,000 Saskatchewan wildfire evacuees, this is Brenda’s story.

Diane O’Neill and Brenda Haney

Fire ravaged home

Inside the shelter

Famous Canadian musician and Brenda Haney

Ceremonial Tee-Pee which was built by Native residents

The shelter team

By Brenda Haney, American Red Cross Volunteer

On July 7, 2015 the Red Cross asked if I would represent the U.S. on an International Deployment to Canada. I agreed to go although I had only been home for a week from a deployment in Louisiana.

Diana O’Neill and I left Madison and flew to Edmonton, Alberta on July 8^th. We made it through Customs and travelled five hours by bus to Cold Lake, Alberta. Once there we assisted with a shelter with approximately 600 people of several different native Canadian Bands.

Due to the large number of evacuations they were loaded on buses with only the clothes on their backs and bused six hours from Saskatchewan to Cold Lake, Alberta.  The City of Cold Lake opened up one of their buildings to accommodate the people coming in. There were many challenges dealing with this many people and the different cultures.

After two days Diana and I were promoted to shelter managers. We worked 12 hour shifts, both day and night. We were warmly welcomed by our counterparts with the Canadian Red Cross. We worked closely with the government officials to ensure a safe shelter operation.

There were several health issues that required the use of hotels and campgrounds as alternate shelters.

On the 11^th day of our deployment we were given the “all clear” to start sending people home. In just two days we had everyone accounted for and on their way back home to Saskatchewan.

The tear down began and the massive task of tearing down cots began. We loaded all the cots in semis and hired a cleaning company to clean and sterilize everything.

It is time to take a break as this was my 5^th deployment of 2015. Deployment number three was a driving trip to Texas. Diana and I drove over 4,000 miles roundtrip in the Emergency Relief Vehicle going from Madison to San Marcos, TX to assist with flooding.

I am thankful for the wonderful people I have met on these Red Cross deployments. I am happy that I have been able to help people in their time of need.

A collection of our 1^st International Deployment memorabilia will be displayed at the Madison Red Cross Office.

To begin your American Red Cross adventure, please visit redcross.org/volunteer

We Need a Hero!

We’re holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night!

The American Red Cross of Wisconsin is now accepting nominations for 2016 Hero Award recipients.  Each year, the American Red Cross recognizes everyday heroes in our community at three events in Wisconsin: the Evening of Heroes in Wisconsin Dells, the Heroes Breakfast in Altoona and Brave Hearts: Heroes Among Us in Milwaukee.   Nominations for recognition for the spring 2016 events are open until December.

Whether they’re stepping up during a medical emergency to provide assistance or helping others through a lifetime of volunteerism, heroes reflect what is best about our community. They also inspire others to follow their example.

Heroes abound everywhere we look at the Red Cross. Our heroes are there to help a family who just lost their home in a fire—any time of the day or night. Our heroes teach the community lifesaving CPR and first aid skills to respond in an emergency. Our heroes spend a lifetime donating blood and recruiting others to donate in order to save patient lives.

Do you know an everyday hero who deserves recognition?  Then submit them for recognition at one of our three hero events across the state! Details and categories vary by event.  For more information:

• Southwest Wisconsin Heroes- www.redcross.org/badgerheroes – Nominations due 12/1
• Northwest Wisconsin Heroes- www.redcross.org/northwestwiheroes – Nominations due 12/31
• Southeast Wisconsin Brave Hearts- www.redcross.org/milwaukeebravehearts – Nominations due 12/31

Or contact: Megan Bessett at megan.bessett@redcross.org or (608) 232-5832.

A Work of Heart

*Permission to republish by StateFarm.com. (Originanly published on http://goodneighbors.com/post/126421892122/heart)

We all know that nursing isn’t easy. But, seeing patients recover and thrive makes it all worth it. Most people may not remember or connect with their doctors or other staff like they do a nurse or Certified Nursing Assistant. Because let’s face it, they are the heart of healthcare. The empathy and care they provide to patients helps encourage strength and recovery. It takes special people to see people at their worst, most difficult time and support them on their course to getting healthy and enjoying a great quality of life.

The job opportunities also provide a great quality of life for those who purse these careers. Christopher Strickland, a 52 year-old father, who was laid off as a cook at a local pub, realized this job path could create stability and help him earn a better income. He was experiencing difficulty finding steady employment and wanted to work in a field where there’s a need. It was happenstance that he came across an ad in the newspaper about the Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) program and the chance to receive a scholarship to complete the training. He decided to apply and was awarded a State Farm® scholarship to achieve his goals.

Christopher quickly realized through his training that nursing was the right fit for this next step in his career journey. His charisma and sense of humor went over famously with the residents at a nursing home where students perform their clinicals. Residents developed meaningful relationships with Christopher, and it helped them feel comfortable being in their most vulnerable state.

As Christopher shared excitement for his new opportunity, his son, Ali, took notice that nursing is a field that will always have a need for qualified individuals. Ali, a 23 year-old young man didn’t have a job at the time and wanted to find something that would provide a decent salary. He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, applied and was awarded a State Farm scholarship to complete his training.

NAT Coordinator Tanya Christensen shared, “Nursing has always been a field dominated by women, but more patients are wanting to have a choice as to whether a man or woman takes care of them. In addition, people who are further along in their careers are realizing nursing could be a great next career step since the healthcare sector continues to add jobs and that the unemployment rate is low. With all these reasons, why wouldn’t someone pursue this rewarding career path.”

Lucikly, there’s still time to apply for scholarships and participate in training sessions provided by the Red Cross. Day and evening classes are taking place in Green Bay, La Crosse and Waupaca. Check out the Red Cross NAT website for more details!

Are You AED Prepared?

DO YOU…

Know what AED stands for?

Know the purpose of having an AED?

AED stands for…

Automated External Defibrillator

It is a medical device that analyzes the heart’s rhythm.

If necessary, it delivers an electrical shock, known as defibrillation, which helps the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.

Timing is Crucial.

8-12 minutes: the average response time for first responders once 911 is called.

1 minute of delayed defibrillation = 10% decrease of survival rate

3 Easy Steps to Save a Life

1. Be Red Cross Ready- Get the training you need to use an AED and how to respond in emergency situations. With the proper training and knowledge, potentially 50,000 lives can be saved per year.
2. Contact Terry Roe if you would like to purchase an AED (email: Terry.Roe@redcross.org or phone# 715-590-4495 ). There are 4 different AED options to choose from.
3. Be Inspired- Watch this incredible and touching story about how 2 UW Health nurses were able to save a woman’s life by using the AED, brought to you by WKOW 27 in Madison, WI.

WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

(Click on picture to enlarge)

Restock the Shelves – Blood Donations Still in Need for this Summer

With the kiddos heading back to school in some areas and vacation tans starting to fade, it may feel like summer is beginning to wind down. For the American Red Cross, though, summer isn’t over yet, and it still needs blood and platelet donations to help ensure a sufficient blood supply throughout August.

Platelet donors and those with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially needed to help restock Red Cross shelves and prevent an emergency shortage. Donors are encouraged to download the free Blood Donor App to schedule a convenient appointment and keep abreast of current blood supply needs. The app even notifies donors when their donation is distributed to a hospital.

If you gave earlier this summer, you might be eligible to give again. For those who have been meaning to donate, but haven’t gotten around to it, please don’t put it off until some other time.

How important is it to donate this month? From June through August, on average, about two fewer donors schedule an appointment at Red Cross blood drives than what is needed for patients. That can add up to more than 100,000 fewer donations during the summer. Your donation counts more than you might think.

If you are unable to give blood, you can still support the Red Cross by signing up to host a blood drive, volunteering your time, asking others to donate or creating a SleevesUp virtual blood drive.

Every day this summer is a chance to help save lives. Make an appointment to help #RestockTheShelves by downloading the Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.