2011 Year in Pictures from the American Red Cross

Last year was a record breaking year for natural disasters in the United States with at least 12 separate $billion+ disasters across the country. Needless to say, it was a busy year for the American Red Cross. But there's much more to the Red Cross story of 2011. From responding to record-breaking tornadoes, to rebuilding in Haiti, to teaching lifesaving skills to 11,000 people on Gabrielle Giffords Honorary Save-a-Life Saturday, the people of the American Red Cross had an amazing, incredibly fulfilling year, as seen in these photos.  

In Other News...  

Why Should Red Cross Emergency Gear Look So Sexy?

If the beauty was just skin deep, the American Red Cross wouldn't have put their brand on Eton's Turbodyne series.

During a blackout, earthquake, or other scary emergency, aesthetics are likely to be the last thing on your mind. But that doesn't mean they don't still serve an important purpose, as Eton's Turbodyne series of American Red Cross-branded emergency gear shows.

The industrial design of the Turbodyne emergency gear was meant to be more emotional and more appealing than the typical emergency tool, said the designer. Indeed, these look more like designer toys than dependable tools at first glance. But that emotional appeal has a serious purpose. It's suggested that pride of ownership will mean the gear will more likely be out and ready for use instead of being relegated to the basement or the emergency kit.

For additional information on these cool, functional products, and to make a purchase, go to the American Red Cross store.
  

Red Cross Hosts Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blood, Bone Marrow, and Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Registry Drives

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., community members can donate blood, learn more about bone marrow, organ, eye and tissue donation, and sign up for the donor registries at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blood, Bone Marrow, and Organ, Eye and Tissue Donor Registry Drives this weekend.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Locations and Hours:

Portland Donor Center
Saturday, January 21, 2012
3131 N. Vancouver Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
7:30am – 1:00pm

Central Oregon Donor Center
Monday, January 16, 2012
2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive
Bend, OR 97701
12:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Salem Donor Center
Monday, January 16, 2012
475 Cottage Street NE, Suite 110
Salem, OR 97301
8:00 am – 2:30 pm

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org
  

This Saturday! Watch and Support Miss Oregon in the 2012 Miss America Competition!

In our ongoing partnership with Miss Oregon Caroline McGowan, we' invite you to watch and support her this Saturday night as she promotes her Red Cross platform in the Miss America competition! The competition airs on ABC on January 14, 2012 at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET)

To support Caroline, if you haven't already done so, please view, vote for and share Caroline's Miss America video contest submission! She showcases local roots (and some impressive whistling talent) in her parody video of an award-winning Old Spice ad, featuring Portland actor Isaiah Mustafa and created by acclaimed Portland ad agency Weiden+Kennedy.