Cape Cod Chapter of the Red Cross Updates and Upcoming Events and Workshops

Red Cross announces Peter Meyer to be Master of Ceremonies of the 7th Annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast

Judge Joseph R. Reardon (ret.) to be Honorary Chair

HYANNIS - The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, announces that Peter Meyer, Publisher of the Cape Cod Times will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies of this event that drew 500 people in 2008.

Judge Joseph R. Reardon (ret.) will be the Honorary Chair of the Seventh Annual Red Cross Heroes breakfast. Joseph Reardon was recognized as a Community Service/Impact Hero in 2007 for his many activities with disadvantaged youth in Barnstable County. The Cape Cod Times was recognized in 2008 as Community Service/Organization for its support of nonprofits and the community at-large.

The Seventh Annual Heroes Breakfast will be recognized on March 6th, 2009 at the Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis, Massachusetts from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m.

The Red Cross touches lives in our community every day through programs and services such as disaster relief and health and safety training.  As an organization committed to helping the community, the Red Cross is honored to salute individuals who are making a difference through their actions.

Deadline for Heroes nominations is December 28th, 2008. All Heroes must live on Cape Cod, Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard and the heroic act must have been performed between December 15th, 2007 and December 25, 2008.

Nomination forms are available online at the Chapter's web site: capecodandislandsredcross.org or can be obtained by calling toll-free (508) 775-1540 or (866) 762-1928. You can also write to: American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, 286 South Street, Hyannis MA 02601.

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CPR/AED Training Classes Offered for Brazilians

Classes will take place December 6 in Falmouth and December 8-10 in Hyannis

HYANNIS - The Cape Cod and Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross will be offering free training courses for Brazilians living in the area this month.  This training is made possible in part by a grant, provided by Cape Cod Healthcare Community Benefits, towards the development of the Red Cross CPR/AED Training for Brazilians initiative.

Class will be held on December 6 in East Falmouth at St. Anthony's Church, 167 East Falmouth Highway.  Training will be provided in Adult CPR/AED, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  The Adult CPR/AED portion will last from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Additional classes will be held on December 8, 9 and 10 at the Zion Union Church, 805 Attucks Lane, Hyannis from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Because of the large number of Brazilians living on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter has focused recent efforts on creating course instruction material to train Portuguese-speaking Cape Cod residents in CPR, AED and First Aid.

The chapter received in-kind support from Cape Cod Healthcare Community Benefits to translate the CPR/AED and First Aid course and instruction materials.  Thanks to this support, the chapter is one of the first nationwide offering training in Portuguese.

Please note, because of the limited number of scholarships available, first come, first served. A full schedule is online at capecodandislandsredcross.org. Registration is only possible by calling toll-free (508) 775-1540 or by writing to American Red Cross, Cape Cod Islands Chapter, 286 South Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.

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Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, American Red Cross Organizes "ChokeSaver with Restaurant Emergencies" Class on December 15th, 2008

HYANNIS -  The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, will organize the next class called "ChokeSaver with Restaurant Emergencies" on Monday, December 15th from 9 to 11 a.m. 

This course covers a brief overview of knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide basic care for injuries (including choking) and sudden illness until more advanced medical help arrives. The class will be held at the Chapter House on 286 South Street, Hyannis at a cost of $30 per person. For groups of 8 or more, instructors can come to the restaurant site. Special rates apply. 

This class meets the Massachusetts Department of Health requirement 105 CMK590.009, which states that food service establishments with a seating capacity of 25 persons need to have on premises an employee trained in removing food lodged in a person's throat. Certification is valid for 1 year.

Restaurant staff will learn to:

• Identify Barriers to Action
• Identify Signals of Life Threatening Emergencies
• Identify Risk Factors for Heart Disease
• Understand Good Samaritan Laws
• Perform Check-Call-Care
• Clear an obstructed airway in conscious adults, children and infants
• Respond when a conscious adult, child or infant with an obstructed airway becomes unconscious
• Administer rescue breathing to children and infants
• Treat Burns and Control Bleeding
• Identify Signs and Symptoms of anaphylaxis (food allergies)
• Respond to someone showing signs and symptoms of a medical emergency 

Registration and prepayment are required for Chapter House classes. For more information and special on-site rates, contact Karen Whiting, Director of Preparedness for the Cape and Islands Chapter of the American Red Cross at (508) 775-1540 x 12 or kwhiting@cape.com. Sign up and more information for individuals interested in the class is also available on the web site: capecodandislandsredcross.org or by calling toll-free (508) 775-1540 or (866) 762-1928.

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Instructors Needed for American Red Cross CPR and First Aid classes to be Taught on Martha's Vineyard

HYANNIS - The American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter is looking to train CPR and First Aid Instructors to teach classes on Martha's Vineyard.  

Instructor training courses will be held at the Chapter House at 286 South Street in Hyannis on December 5th and 8th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.  The cost of the course is $145.

This course trains individuals to teach basic level American Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED courses for lay responders.  Courses needing instructors include Standard First Aid, Standard First Aid with AED, Adult CPR, Adult CPR/AED, Infant & Child CPR and First Aid. 

PREREQUISITES:  Must demonstrate current knowledge of and skills in American Red Cross Adult CPR/AED, Infant and Child CPR and First Aid at the first session.  If you do not pass the skills test, the instructor cannot continue the class and no refund is issued.  Fundamentals of Instructor Training (FIT) are included with the course.   The minimum age for instructors is 16.

For more information about the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, training classes or disaster preparedness, visit the Chapter's web site: capecodandislandsredcross.org or call toll-free (508) 775-1540. You can also write to: American Red Cross, Cape Cod and Islands Chapter, 286 South Street, Hyannis MA 02601.

All releases courtesy of the Cape Cod and Islands Chapter of the Red Cross.