GREENVILLE, SC May 23, 2023 — The American Red Cross of South Carolina is excited to announce a free community event in Greenville: American Red Cross Wellness Day will take place on Saturday, June 3rd at Bon Secours Wellness Arena from 9 am - noon. During National CPR & AED Awareness Week (June 1 – 7), the Red Cross aims to train as many people as possible in Hands-Only CPR. Hands-Only CPR is a free and quick training that equips participants with the confidence and skills to act during an emergency until help arrives. 

“Studies show that when a person is experiencing cardiac arrest and CPR is performed, even using hands only, their chances of survival increase dramatically,” said Jamie Raichel, Executive Director, Red Cross of South Caroline Upstate Chapter. “Emergencies can happen at any time, and that’s why we’re excited to host this event and train as many people as possible in what to do when sudden cardiac arrest occurs.”

Event Details: American Red Cross Wellness Day

Saturday, June 3rd, from 9 am-noon

Bon Secours Wellness Arena, 650 N Academy Street, Greenville

FREE family-friendly activities include: 

• Hands-Only CPR training

• Wellness Fair featuring local health and safety-oriented organizations 

• Be Red Cross Ready – a free emergency preparedness program

• American Red Cross National Lifesaving Awards presentation honoring three local lifesavers

• Hear from Dr. Bijal Desai, with Bon Secours, how CPR saved her life

• Opportunity to donate at the Red Cross blood drive 

• Free t-shirt for the first 200 attendees!

Learn more at RedCross.org/WellnessDay

Sudden cardiac arrest and CPR Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating normally because of abnormal electrical activity. Every second counts, so it’s important for people to be trained on how to perform CPR and use an AED. Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and at any time without warning, but it usually occurs in adults. More than 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest annually in the United States, but sadly only 11 percent survive. For every minute without immediate CPR and use of an AED, survival chances drop 10 percent. Many people who survive a cardiac emergency are helped by a bystander.

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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCrossSC.

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