Media Alert: RED CROSS PRESIDENT AND CEO ISSUES WAKE UP CALL

Americans need to take personal responsibility for their own safety

WASHINGTON, Friday, January 23, 2004 —

WHO:	Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO, American Red Cross As a new year begins, following a holiday season marked by Code Orange alerts, Ms. Evans will call on all Americans to wake up and take personal responsibility for their own safety. Since taking the helm of the Red Cross in August 2002, Evans has been instrumental in restoring and building people's trust in the Red Cross. She has made collaboration with our government partners, including the Department of Homeland Security, an imperative and advocates for strong partnerships with corporations and government officials at all levels.
WHAT:	In a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Evans will address the major policy issues surrounding all-hazard preparedness and how the Red Cross is working with families, communities and public and private sector partners to empower people to take personal responsibility for their safety and security.
WHEN:	January 28, 2004, 1 to 1:30 p.m. (EST)
WHERE:	National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. (http://npc.press.org)
WHY:	In 2003, this country experienced an extraordinary rash of disasters. No area of the country was left untouched. While massive efforts are underway to address government preparedness at all levels, preparedness of the general public has been a secondary focus. It needs to become a priority.
CONTACTS:	Devorah Goldburg (202) 303-4461 or goldburgd@usa.redcross.org Carrie Martin (202) 303-4459 or martinc@usa.redcross.org

Note to Editors: Ms. Evans is available for interviews on this topic.

The American Red Cross is dedicated to helping make families and communities safer at home and around the world. Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of more than 900 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 32,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. For more information, visit www.redcross.org.