To: {Contact_FullName} {MemberField_You_Are_A_Lifetime_Member} {ContactField_Membership_type} {Member_Level} Renewal Date {Member_Upcoming_Renewal_Date}
|
|
|
|
|
March is Red Cross Month and Women's History Month!!
Let’s join the Red Cross in saluting all
Red Cross volunteers and employees, and ARCAN members, who make a difference in their communities! The tradition of March being declared Red Cross Month began in 1943 with a proclamation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and for more than 75 years, all U.S. presidents have designated this month.
This March, the American Red Cross honors and recognizes all those who have answered the call to help others under the Red Cross emblem that continues to stand for help and hope during the most challenging of times, including the stories of three women whose unwavering dedication touched lives and made a deep impact over the past 140-plus years of the organization’s lifesaving mission. Shirley Hines-Atkins’ (above) career began in 1970 as a Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas staff member, affectionately known as a Donut Dollie in Korea and Vietnam. |
|
|
|
|
ISSUE AT-A-GLANCE - Articles of Incorporation vote results
- Media reports about ARC NHQ building
- Alumni Q&A with Kevin Kellenberger
- Measles & Rubella Partnership Update/Interview with James Noe
- Webinar with IFRC Alumni Assoc President Michael Stone
- Southern California Group lunch
- Women who made Red Cross history
|
|
|
13 New ARCAN Members!
Since the second week of January, 13 more Red Cross colleagues have joined the ARCAN community. If you’re new to ARCAN, we want to welcome you! We hope you’ll dive right in and explore all that the community has to offer, including ARCAN's exclusive benefits, from the Member Directory to Alumni Stories and Events. A full list of member benefits can be found on the ARCAN website: www.redcrossalumni.org.
Here’s the list of our newest members. Be sure to reach out and say hello! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You Can Inspire Colleagues and Friends to Join!
As word gets out that our Alumni Network is a place to reconnect with Red Cross colleagues and friends, ARCAN members can encourage those you know to also take that next step and join. Our LinkedIn and Facebook following grew by almost 100 people last month. Our friends are interested. They just need to hear from members about why they should be a part of ARCAN. Remember, as we grow our membership we’ll have more bandwidth for more and better opportunities and offerings.
Get started:
- Post the graphic above on your social media pages. Maybe include a note sharing why you joined or a story about how you have reconnected with Red Cross colleagues through ARCAN.
|
|
|
The Yeas Have It!
Thank you to all who took the time to vote and participate in the Special Meeting on the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation. Votes: 131 Yes, 2 No. A total of 100 responses were needed. A simple majority of votes (51%) approved these amendments.
The ARCAN Bylaws are linked on the ARCAN website via the About page --scroll to the bottom of the page and click the bar for the file. |
|
|
Clarification Regarding Media Reports of Possible Sale of National American Red Cross Building by Federal Government
ARCAN reached out to the American Red Cross regarding the recent media coverage stating the National American Red Cross building in Washington D.C. was included in the General Services Administration (GSA) list of federal buildings it would consider selling as part of cost-reduction efforts. Senior leadership stated they were aware that the initial list included the Red Cross building and confirmed that a subsequent update to the GSA website removed the location from the list. NHQ is working to learn more and will provide any updates as appropriate. |
|
|
|
|
“I have worked on quite a few rides, including Bluto’s Barges at Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Jurassic Park and Journey to Madagascar in Singapore, Transformers at Universal Studios Florida, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and the Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal Studios Hollywood, Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood. I am currently working on finishing up rides at Universal Epic Universe, our newest park in Orlando.”
Where Are They Now? – A Q&A with Kevin Kellenberger
Kevin Kellenberger began his career at NASA and later started with Red Cross as a disaster volunteer with the Bay Area Chapter (ARCBA) in San Francisco. He was next hired to be the manager of disaster response for San Francisco, then promoted to director of disaster services for ARCBA. After that he moved to Red Cross National Headquarters (NHQ) as the director of Partner Services. Kevin now builds rollercoasters!
What was your favorite job or project that you worked on at Red Cross, and why?
Responding to the influx of evacuees from Hurricane Katrina was a real test for me. Fortunately, I had some very experienced volunteers and staff to help make it happen. While I had done some volunteer work prior to the Red Cross, this was my first opportunity to work with and manage a volunteer workforce. It was so rewarding being able to help them serve their community.
Moving to NHQ gave me insight into how things work at a national level. Under the leadership of Juliet Choi, we were able to build on our partnering foundation and truly expand our ability to serve those most in need.
What is one of your most memorable Red Cross experiences, and what made it memorable? I had so many good experiences that it is difficult to single out one, so I’ll list a few. Working with people, both paid staff and volunteer, that were so dedicated and passionate about helping people in need…
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
"In 2023, more than 107,000 children, mostly under the age of 5, died from complications of measles. As part of the measles outbreak in West Texas, the first measles death in the U.S. was recorded since 2015, this was even more tragically a school age child who could have easily been protected through vaccination."
The Measles & Malaria Partnership: Nearly 25 Years Saving Lives of Vulnerable Children Overseas
Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico, and new cases identified in additional states, has healthcare officials, parents and others on edge. We thought this would be a good time to update ARCAN members on the effective work American Red Cross and partners have done since 2001 to address the Measles Epidemic in Africa and other countries, which saves lives and helps contain the spread of the disease. Many ARCAN members worked on, were touched by or have donated funds to the Measles Initiative while working at the American Red Cross. Following is a Q&A with James Noe, senior program manager of the Measles & Rubella Partnership at American Red Cross National Headquarters.
Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March Webinar Michael Stone, President of IFRC Alumni Association
Tuesday, March 25, 1:00 p.m. ET
“Our work is with the most vulnerable on earth, it is beyond important that we get it right.”
Humanitarian organizations are facing one of the greatest challenges in their history. Michael will join us from the UK and talk about what it’s really like running an emergency response operation overseas. “The misunderstandings, the self-doubts, the mistakes, the stupidities, the fears.......All the realities you will not see in the Situation Reports to Head Office.” These realities and their solutions are linked to 12 Laws of Life, for example: The Law of Unintended Consequences, which he relates to his work with Princess Diana, or Bad Means are Not Justified by Good Ends, related to conflicts in which we in the Red Cross work. These Laws enable teams to engage in really effective emergency responses. The Laws also apply to all of Life, working or retired.
Details and registration |
|
|
|
|
The Second Best Ever Communicators Happy Hour - April 24 What an incredible time former Red Cross communicators had at our first-ever virtual ARCAN Communicators Happy Hour last month. The whole gang agreed we should do it again, so here we go!! Register here and invite Red Cross communications, marketing and public affairs colleagues you are still in touch with!
ARCAN members are welcome to form your own Affinity Groups based on geography, line of service, support services, etc. Let us know your plans at info@redcrossalumni.org and we’ll include them in the newsletter and website. |
|
|
|
|
May Webinar - Part II, Dr. Jeff McCullough and David Therkelsen
Jeff and Dave will illuminate more of the changes in blood banking from the 1940s to the 2020s. The American Red Cross was right in the middle of most of them. Part II, David Therkelsen and Dr. Jeffrey McCullough History of Blood Transfusion Webinar, will be Thursday, May 8, 2025 – World Red Cross Day – at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
About 75 ARCAN members registered for the January 28 webinar with long-time Red Cross leaders Dr. Jeff McCullough and David Therkelsen. Jeff and Dave told numerous stories from their book: How Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine Moved from the Margins to the Mainstream of Medicine, From World War II to the Pandemic. The hour passed all too quickly; many stories were left untold; and several attendees encouraged the two to host a second webinar. We hope you’ll join us for another engaging hour of conversation, about a fascinating segment of Red Cross and medical history.
Register here |
|
|
ARCAN Southern California Group Lunch
Tuesday, April 8
Noon, Pacific Time
From Marlene Zweig: Inviting all Red Crossers to the ARCAN Southern California Group Lunch!!! Come join us for lunch and a merry time. Board meeting at 11:00 a.m.
Details and registration |
|
|
|
|
International Humanitarian Law For details about and registration for the spring IHL classes and discussions, see the ARCAN Events webpage. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wendy Harman Webinar Recording Available
In February we had lively interaction from the group attending Wendy’s webinar. We talked about AI today and its potential for the future, including its pros and cons! Wendy shared about her fascinating career trajectory since introducing digital solutions including social media to the American Red Cross. The discussion included how she continues to support mission-driven work. "Launching Red Cross into Social Media to Helping Organizations Apply AI in Fulfilling their Missions" is viewable at: Recording. Use passcode: 7H.!?#Q9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ukraine: IFRC President Kate Forbes reflects on the scars of conflict and the long road to recovery
by Kate Forbes, IFRC President
Amid the suffering, Ukraine stands as an example of global solidarity and local leadership in humanitarian response. The road to recovery depends on the world’s continued, collective commitment.
The drive from Warsaw in Poland to Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, takes almost 15 hours. For some, this journey might feel like a trip to a distant land. But Ukraine is not far away—it is at the heart of Europe. What is happening here is not confined to this country or its people; its challenges resonate across the continent and beyond.
As we travel through Ukraine’s small towns and villages, the signs of conflict become unmistakable. Remembrance walls display the faces of fallen soldiers, each photo a testament to a life cut short. Yet the true pain of war is carried by those left behind—the mothers and fathers who have lost their sons, the wives who have lost their husbands, the sisters and brothers who have lost beloved siblings.
Now entering its fourth year, the protracted conflict has left deep scars—on its land and people. Read more |
|
|
|
|
March 26 is the 11th annual Red Cross Giving Day. Consider giving in support of disaster relief. Learn more and donate |
|
|
|
|
Daylight Saving Time = Test Smoke Alarms
As we adjust to the loss of a precious hour to daylight saving time the Red Coss reminds us to check our smoke alarms twice a year when we change our clocks. If you haven’t checked yours yet, see the article here for guidance. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install them the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your local Red Cross for help. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calling All Dog Lovers
This April, leash up and join the 30 Mile Dog Walk Challenge with your furry best friend to provide support to those impacted by disasters. Start a fundraiser on Facebook or Instagram and earn your exclusive Red Cross collapsible water bowl when you receive your first donation. Make a paw-sitive difference this spring and register today. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vietnam Veterans Day 50th Anniversary Commemoration
Veterans Breakfast Club has invited ARCAN members to register for and attend their Vietnam Veterans Day 50th Anniversary Commemoration, Saturday, March 29, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The event is online and in person. One featured speak will be Dr. Rose Ganter, Vietnam Red Cross Donut Dollie. For a full description of the event and to register, use this link.
Thank you to Todd DePastino, Executive Director of Veterans Breakfast Club, for the background on this special commemorative day: “The U.S. 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration began in 2015 and runs through this year, the final year. It commemorates the ongoing war, 1955-1975. This year will mark the 50th of the Fall of Saigon, the last milestone.” Find the commission set up for it here: https://www.vietnamwar50th.com |
|
|
|
|
Are you getting your weekly perk?
Sign up or sign in at PerkSpot to get discounts on travel, electronics, home goods, mortgages, and all of the other little – and big- things that will make life a bit easier.
|
|
|
|
|
American Red Cross Alumni Network PO BOX 21004 | Washington, DC 20009
E-mail: info@redcrossalumni.org | Tel: 202.303.8779 Website: RedCrossAlumni.org |
|
|
|
