Event provides CPR training for 69 people and collects 24 units of blood

St. Louis, Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - The City of Florissant and the American Red Cross recently partnered to host the second-annual Community Heroes Day on Saturday, May 12 at the James J. Eagan Community Center in Florissant. During the event, the public was invited to take two steps to become a hero - 1. donate blood and 2. learn CPR.  The event enabled the Red Cross to train 69 people in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and to collect 24 units of blood.

"We are glad to report that this year's event was a success, and we look forward to working with the American Red Cross for years to come," said Mayor Robert G. Lowery Sr. of the City of Florissant.

About American Red Cross CPR Training:
Training is an essential step toward preparing for the unexpected. In support of its lifesaving mission to help the community prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and emergencies, the American Red Cross offers a variety of training courses to the public. Each year, the St. Louis Area Chapter trains over 85,000 people in lifesaving CPR and first aid, including more than 15,600 people in the proper use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). 

"The American Red Cross is once again proud to partner with the City of Florissant for this important event," said Joseph C. White, CEO of the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. "It is our hope that other municipalities will follow Florissant's outstanding example by joining the effort to encourage citizens to personally prepare for the unexpected. Seeking training in lifesaving CPR and First Aid and giving the gift of life through blood donation are two great ways to make the entire community a safer place for everyone."

About American Red Cross Blood Donation:
Blood is needed in times of emergency, but the ongoing need is also great. The American Red Cross and patients throughout the region are especially in need of blood donors during the summer season. While school is on break, ball games are in season, and vacations are planned, a dip in available blood levels typically occurs. Every two seconds, someone in America needs a blood transfusion - cancer patients, accident victims, premature infants, and people with chronic diseases. During times of crisis and every single day, each blood donation has the power to help save as many as three lives.

"Community Heroes Day is a great opportunity to inform the general public about being ready when an emergency hits close to home," said David A. Chumley, CEO of the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. "The partnership with the City of Florissant reinforces what we teach everyday - the best way to handle an emergency situation is to be ready before the situation happens - this applies to both CPR and blood needs. Those in attendance learned the vital role they play in helping save lives."

About the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region:
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian, non-profit organization founded in 1881. The Red Cross collects almost half of the nation's blood supply. The Missouri-Illinois Region annually distributes over 500,000 blood products to patients in need. The Region's headquarters and National Testing Lab are located in St. Louis and currently stands ready to serve over 120 hospitals in 122 counties and operates four distribution centers. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply all year long. To find out more about the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region, please call 1-800 GIVE LIFE (448.3543), or log onto www.americanredcrossblood.org.

About the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter:
Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter celebrates 90 years of dedicated service, providing emergency relief and preparedness training more than 410,000 times each year. The Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on the efforts of thousands of volunteers and donors to provide a wide range of community support services, including disaster relief, first aid and CPR training, water safety, services to military personnel and support for blood services. The Chapter, a United Way agency, provides programs and services to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and Jefferson County in Missouri, as well as Monroe, St. Clair (including Scott Air Force Base) and part of Madison County in Illinois. All disaster relief services are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of the American people. To learn more about Red Cross programs, volunteer opportunities, and how you can help, contact the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or www.redcrossstl.org.

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