By Neleen Leslie
American Red Cross Volunteer

When people think of giving blood these days, they often think of the iconic Red Cross bloodmobile and a brief eight to ten-minute stint with Red Cross staff and volunteers. When giving blood, a donor doesn’t usually know who the recipient might be, but what if the person in need of blood was someone who they knew and loved? Perhaps a family member? What if the situation was so grave that the blood had to be transferred directly from her body to his? That’s how Jean Myers first gave blood.

Photo of the New London High School in 1937. http://www.oldohioschools.com

Jean (nee Haynes) was 16-years old when her father, Harold Haynes, was badly injured. Harold had fallen into a gutter while moving a bull on their family farm in Clarksfield, OH. Jean, was a junior at New London High School. Her dad had been hospitalized for some time when she was asked to give blood. She doesn’t remember being scared of the prospect; after all, this was her dad. What Jean remembers is taking the bus into town with her mother and riding the old streetcar down Euclid Avenue to Huron Road Hospital. Jean lay on a hospital bed next to her father, as blood was transferred directly from her body to his. It was May of 1946 and a school day, so believe it or not, she went right back to school afterwards. It was Jean’s first time giving blood, but it wouldn’t be her last.

Today, Jean is 87-years-old and has donated almost 16 gallons of blood, not including her first blood donation all those years ago. (Her total gallons donated would have been even more if she had not been rejected a number of times due to low iron levels.) Jean remembers when blood drives first started in New London. They were held at New London High School, which was a collection point for New London and neighboring communities. Volunteers would travel from as far as Greenwich to the high school to give blood. In those days, blood collection drives were held annually so if you were ineligible to give blood during a blood drive, it would be a whole year before you would have another chance to do so. The temporary collection center consisted of four gurneys organized in a square. That meant that donors had to wait their turn. And if their iron levels were low? Well, according to Jean, they would eat more broccoli and get ready for the next blood drive.

The old high school Jean remembers has since been torn down and Red Cross blood drives are now held at the New London Eagles Aerie #2869. Facilities aside, a lot has changed since Jean started giving blood. Donors are now able to give blood once every 56 days instead of once a year, and the process is a far cry from the blood drives at the old high school.

Some things however, have not changed. Jean continues to be in very good health, and plans to continue giving blood. In addition to giving blood, Jean has volunteered with the Red Cross as a receptionist and as a blood drive coordinator.

She describes the Red Cross as “a good group that does wonderful work.” She also adds that, “through the years, the extra blood makes a difference for the small town.” Jean was awarded a 70 year pin at the Red Cross Volunteer Recognition event in the Lake Erie/Heartland Chapter.

American Red Cross Volunteer Jean Myers receives a 70-year pin from Lara Kiefer,                      Executive Director, Lake Erie/Heartland Chapter                                                                                                 Photo credit: Jim McIntyre/American Red Cross

If you would like to volunteer, please visit www.redcross.org/neo and click on Volunteer to get your profile started today!

Red Cross volunteers are on site at the First Aid station, Bloodmobile and in the Medical Building at the Canfield Fair.

Fair goers can stop in for first aid, or sign up to receive a free smoke alarm installation and fire safety education.

A bloodmobile will be on site from 12:30 until 8 p.m. today through September 5th.

Visit our Lake to River Chapter Facebook page to view more photos.

Photo Credit: Mary Williams/American Red Cross

It’s almost time for the school bells to ring again and the American Red Cross has steps everyone can follow to help make the trip back to the classroom a safe one.

“Safety should be the top priority for all students, especially younger children and those heading to school for the first time,” said Tim O’Toole, Regional Disaster Officer for the region. “Whether riding, biking or walking to school, we want everyone to arrive and then return home safely.” 

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY If children ride a bus to school, they should plan to get to their bus stop early and stand back from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive. Other safety steps include:

• Wait to board the bus until it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has signaled to get on.
• Tell children they should only board their bus – never an alternate one.
• Always stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
• Cross the street at the corner, obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.
• Never dart out into the street, or cross between parked cars.

GET TO SCHOOL SAFELY If children ride in a car to get to school, they should always wear a seat belt.

• Younger children should use car seats or booster seats until the lap-shoulder belt fits properly (typically for children ages 8-12 and over 4’9”) and ride in the back seat until they are at least 13 years old.
• If a teenager is driving to school, parents should mandate that he or she use seat belts. Drivers should not use their cell phone to text or make calls, and should avoid eating or drinking while driving.
• Some students ride their bike to school. They should always wear a helmet and ride on the right in the same direction as the traffic is going.
• When students are walking to school, they should only cross the street at an intersection. If possible, use a route with crossing guards.
• Parents should walk young children to school, along with children taking new routes or attending new schools, at least for the first week to ensure they know how to get there safely. Arrange for the kids to walk to school with a friend or classmate.

WHAT DRIVERS SHOULD KNOW Drivers should know what the yellow and red bus signals mean and be aware that children are out walking or biking to school and slow down – especially in residential areas and school zones. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers in both directions must stop their vehicles and wait until the lights go off, the stop sign is back in place and the bus is moving before they can start driving again.

Parents should also make sure the child knows their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 9-1-1. They should also teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.

TAKE A FIRST AID CLASS Red Cross training can give someone the confidence and skills to help with everyday emergencies from paper cuts to school sports injuries. A variety of online and in-class courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass. People can download the free Red Cross First Aid App (redcross.org/apps) for instant access to expert advice whenever and wherever needed.

This week is heating up in Northeast Ohio and that means hot-hot-hot! vehicles.

Here’s two tips for keeping your child’s commute safer during these steaming days:

For more reading, check out Sarah’s post on Red Cross Chat.

(And a special “Thank you” to Lt. Rick Edwards of the Akron Police Department for stopping by to talk with us.)

Video created and produced by Ryan McDivitt, American Red Cross Volunteer

We love our volunteers!

Thank you so much to those who volunteer their time and heart to the Red Cross. Thank you to those who answer calls from people in our community in an effort to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of an emergency!

On Thursday, April 21 the Lake to River chapter held a luau for their local volunteers. We want to thank and congratulation Jay Rosenthal (53 years) and Tab Alden (48 years) of service.  Nearly 50 volunteers, their guests and staff members attended the celebration.

The Lake to River Chapter, which serves Ashtabula, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, and Trumbull Counties, has 225 volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross, visit www.redcross.com/neo and click on “Volunteer”.