Hablemos de Salud and American Red Cross to Feature Live CPR Demonstration

WASHINGTON, Friday, March 31, 2006 — Spanish-language medical television program "Hablemos de Salud" is set to air its next program in the series of health and safety programs collaborated with the American Red Cross. The show scheduled to air this Saturday, April 1, 2006, will discuss the importance of learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and feature a live demonstration by a Red Cross instructor.

CPR is a highly effective skill in responding to sudden cardiac arrest. Over 220,000 people from sudden cardiac arrest each year. Having CPR performed on a victim during the first few minutes of a sudden cardiac arrest dramatically increases the rate of survival and recovery. 

The demonstration will take place before a live studio audience with the show’s host – along with the Red Cross instructor – taking questions from the in-studio and viewing audiences.  Viewers can call in their questions on CPR at 703.770.7121.  Check your local listing for a viewing time in your area.

Hablemos de Salud is the nation’s longest-running Spanish-language television program devoted to changing lifestyles for the better, and helping Latinos understand how the healthcare system functions and how it can help to better their lives and those of their families.  "Hablemos de Salud" is broadcast on MHz NETWORKS in the District of Columbia metropolitan area, Chicago, Denver and Ca.  It can also be seen on the national program stream, MHz WORLDVIEW. 

The "Importance of CPR" segment is the second in a series of Red Cross collaborated programs. Coming up on April 29, 2006, "Hablemos de Salud" medical expert Dr. Elmer Huerta will tour a Red Cross blood donation center and discuss the critical need for Hispanics to donate blood.

Hablemos de Salud is an original production. MHz NETWORKS, which operates in Northern Virginia and serves the Washington, D.C. market through WNVC and WNVT, is owned by Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation (CPBC), headquartered in Richmond, VA.  CPBC is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation which also operates WCVE-TV/FM and WCVW in Richmond, VA and WHTJ-TV in Charlottesville, VA.  The WORLDVIEW program stream is sponsored in part by the GlobeCast WorldTV service and is available on Intelsat America 5.   MHz produces its original programs through its two production studios, one in Northern Virginia at its technical operations center, the other at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Visit www.mhznetworks.org for more information.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.