American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region
Bay Area Chapter
1663 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
redcross.org/bayarea
Media Contact:
Cari Dighton
(415) 583-2949
cari.dighton@redcross.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN FRANCISCO (January 19, 2022) — The American Red Cross of the Bay Area is pleased to announce its 2022 Red Cross San Francisco Gala Honorees: Brandy and Tracy Pico, and Rodan + Fields. The extraordinary contributions of these local heroes will be recognized and celebrated during the Gala on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at San Francisco City Hall.
Now in its 27th year, the Gala is a volunteer-led fundraiser dedicated to recognizing local heroes and supporting the Red Cross mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Celebrating the courage and compassion of the 2022 Red Cross Gala Honorees will be the highlight of the evening.
“At this year’s Gala, we ask you to join us in celebrating these outstanding honorees for dedicating so much of their hearts, time and treasure to lifting up their communities, even during some of life’s most difficult moments,” said Gala Co-Chair Gwyneth Borden.
THE HONOREES During the black-tie event, the Red Cross will present 15-year-old Martinez, Calif. resident Brandi Pico and her mother, Tracy Pico, with the 2021 Red Cross Humanitarian Act of Kindness Award. Brandi grew up very active and from the age of four participated in various sports in the community, 4-H and Girl Scouts.
In June 2020, Brandi was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma - a rare and aggressive bone cancer - in her tibia. She and her family faced an overwhelming prognosis and treatment plan that would permanently alter their lives. Her treatments started in July 2020, and removal of the tumor took place by the end of that September. On February 16, 2021, Brandi rang the bell to celebrate the end of treatment - she is now cancer free. During the course of her treatments, Brandi received nine blood transfusions.
“Those transfusions helped save Brandi’s life,” Tracy said. “We are forever grateful to the people who gave the gift of blood.”
As a result of her journey, the Pico family organized a Red Cross blood drive in honor of Brandi in Martinez, Calif. in July 2021, which resulted in 38 units of lifesaving blood collected for patients in need.
The Red Cross will also recognize Rodan + Fields as the 2021 Red Cross Disaster Response Partner Award Recipient. Since its founding, Rodan + Fields, a leading skincare brand powered by a direct selling business model and Independent Consultant Community, has delivered against its purpose to be a life-changing company by making a positive impact on people.
As a corporate donor since 2010 and a Disaster Responder Member since 2019, Rodan + Fields has supported the Red Cross in helping to fulfill its mission and ensure people suffering from emergencies large and small receive the care, comfort and resources they deserve. Together with their Independent Consultant and employee community, Rodan + Fields has contributed over $1.4M to global disasters, including wildfires across the Western U.S., Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, the Australian Bush Fires, the Canadian wildfires, and frontline support during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alongside financial support, Rodan + Fields has supported the Red Cross by collecting blood with the potential to save more than 1,113 lives through blood drives hosted at their San Francisco headquarters. Throughout this ongoing partnership, Rodan + Fields has engaged its passionate community of Independent Consultants and employees in volunteer opportunities as well as provided diversity, equity and inclusion training grants and donated skincare products to frontline workers.
“The American Red Cross does important and inspiring work, and we are proud to partner with them to provide support and relief to communities in need,” shared Dimitri Haloulos, Chief Executive Officer + President, Rodan + Fields. “Doing Good is in our DNA and is part of what makes our community so special. We are honored to be recognized as the Red Cross Disaster Response Partner Award Recipient and look forward to a continued partnership through our shared mission of being life-changing organizations.”
The Red Cross is grateful to Rodan + Fields and their steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others. As the Red Cross Disaster Response Partner Award Recipient, the Red Cross is proud to recognize Rodan + Fields and celebrate its mission to be a life-changing company.
SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS Hosted by Co-Chairs Gwyneth Borden and Kirsten Strobel, the 2022 Gala will feature a cocktail reception, three-course dinner, live auction and entertainment. Since its inception, this fundraiser’s purpose has remained steadfast: to celebrate and sustain the lifesaving programs and services of the Red Cross. Proceeds will support the programs and services of the Red Cross. The Gala is made possible by Gold Sponsors Kathryn W. Holmes and TMG, Silver Sponsor Delta Dental, and Bronze Sponsors Deloitte and Kaiser Permanente, as well as the evening’s wine partner Tyge William Cellars and liquor partner Bently Heritage Estate Distillery.
For additional event details, please visit redcross.org/redcrossgalasf.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/bayarea or find us on Facebook and Twitter.
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