What does it take to save lives before an emergency ever happens?That question was at the heart of a recent presentation to the Apex Lions Club by Rebekah Cain and Cassandra Hett from the American Red Cross Biomedical Services team.
Most people recognize the American Red Cross for its disaster relief efforts following hurricanes, floods, fires, and other emergencies. But during their visit, we learned just how broad the organization’s impact really is.
Guided by its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors, the American Red Cross provides disaster response, supports military families, offers health and safety training, and operates one of the nation’s largest blood collection networks.
The presentation included statistics about the scale of those efforts, but what resonated most were the personal stories shared by Rebekah and Cassandra. They spoke about how they became involved with the organization and why they are passionate about serving others. Their experiences offered a reminder that behind every blood drive and disaster response effort are dedicated people working to help their communities.
One topic generated particular interest for Apex. The American Red Cross works with thousands of community partners across the country to host blood drives. However, they currently do not have a partner organization located in Apex and are interested in establishing a local relationship here.
That immediately caught our attention. The Apex Lions Club has access to the CC Jones facility that may be suitable for hosting blood drives, and we are beginning to evaluate whether a partnership could be a good fit for both organizations. While no decisions have been made, the opportunity aligns well with our mission of serving the community and addressing important health-related needs.
The discussion also highlighted an important question that many people have asked. Why doesn’t the American Red Cross pay people to donate blood like some other organizations do? The answer reflects the broader mission of the organization. While some organizations focus solely on collecting blood or plasma, the American Red Cross supports a wide range of humanitarian services, including disaster relief, emergency assistance, health and safety training, and support for military families. Those programs are made possible through the generosity of donors and volunteers who support the organization’s mission.
Readers interested in learning more can visit the American Red Cross page explaining how donations support their work here.
Another area of discussion was especially relevant to the Lions mission. At certain blood drives, the American Red Cross offers A1C testing, which can help participants better understand their average blood sugar levels and identify potential diabetes concerns. Since diabetes awareness is one of the global causes supported by Lions Clubs International and a focus area for the Apex Lions Club, this could create an exciting opportunity for collaboration.
Imagine a community event that not only helps maintain the nation’s blood supply but also increases awareness about diabetes and encourages people to take a proactive approach to their health. That is the kind of partnership opportunity that gets us excited.
Unfortunately, our meeting facility’s lack of internet access prevented us from viewing several videos the presenters had planned to share. Fortunately, they provided links that members can watch afterward to learn more about the lifesaving impact of blood donations and the many services provided by the American Red Cross.
As we continue evaluating this potential partnership, we are encouraged by the possibilities. Bringing American Red Cross blood drives to Apex could provide residents with a convenient way to support patients in need while strengthening connections between two organizations dedicated to serving others.
The Apex Lions Club is always looking for opportunities to make a positive impact in our community. This may be one more way we can help.
Interested in serving your community alongside a group of neighbors who enjoy finding practical ways to help others? We’d love to meet you. Learn more about the Apex Lions Club at ApexLions.org.
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