The river Valley chapter has been recognized by the local blood region by inclusion in the Blood Region Newsletter aCross the Region.  Here is the story:

When you think of the River Valley Chapter, think big. Within the Greater Alleghenies Region, it’s second only to the Central West Virginia Chapter in the total number of counties served.  The Chapter holds the region’s largest one-day, one-site community blood drive, as well as its largest high-school sponsored blood drive, the Barnesville Blood Bash, held in May.

            The River Valley Chapter consists of 12 counties, ten in West Virginia and two in Ohio .

            Brooke, Hancock, Marshall , Monongalia , Ohio , Preston, Taylor , Tucker, Tyler and Wetzel counties comprise the chapter & #8217;s West Virginia service area, while its Ohio counties include Belmont and Monroe.

            Since May 2006, C. J. Gavin has served as executive director of the River Valley Chapter, which serves 540,000 people in nearly 150 communities. He came to the Red Cross with 20 years of experience with the Boy Scouts of America and also was a Red Cross volunteer following Hurricane Katrina.

            Last year, the Chapter responded to 86 single-family disaster cases and nearly the same amount involving multiple families. It gave more than $72,000 in financial assistance. Its Armed Forces Emergency Services assisted more than 200 military families.

            The Chapter’s Health and Safety Department certified more than 20,000 people in Red Cross first aid, CPR, water safety, swimming and other courses.

            Its Blood Services program holds approximately 500 blood drives a year. On January 29, it will host its 22nd annual Ohio Valley Media Donor Day, the single largest blood drive in the Greater Alleghenies Region. Since 1986, when it began at the studios of WTRF-TV, Media Day has grown dramatically, having brought it more than 18,000 donations over the years.

             Media Donor Day is now held at Wesbanco Arena in Wheeling and typically draws more than 1,000 presenting donors. More than 200 volunteers and 150 sponsors help make Media Donor Day happen.

            The theme for this year’s Media Donor Day is “If not now, when? Donate blood.” Presenting donors will receive a special edition Media Day t-shirt, sponsored by area businesses, and the fleece scarf offered as part of the Region’s current Someone’s Waiting winter campaign.

            As part of its partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Region will also contribute $1.00 per presenting donor toward the Society’s Light the Night Walk scheduled for Wheeling in March. Autumn Gossett, the blood recipient profiled on page 8 of this edition of ACROSS the Region, is featured in this year’s Media Donor Day recruitment materials. 

            This year’s Media Donor Day is also scheduled to feature the first appearance of double red cell collection at the annual event.

            For more information about the River Valley Chapter, visit www.rivervalleyarc.org.

New Background Checks 

The River Valley Chapter will be joining the rest of the Nation in guaranteeing the safety of our clients and volunteers by participating in the new background check program.  We will be asking all of our current volunteers and staff to complete a very simple background check form on-line.  The form is available at mybackgroundcheck.com.  A special Red Cross logo is found on that page and upon clicking on it and submitting your information you will have completed the required background check program.

Currently this program is being underwritten by the national office.  At a future date, the cost will have to be taken over by the Chapter.  That is why it is imperative that you complete your background check as soon as possible.  If you are unable to access the program or have questions, please contact one of our staff members at your nearest office for assistance.  

This program is a standard that we must reach to maintain the integrity of the Red Cross and protect our reputation.  It will be a simple step to allow us to say that we continue to have the best volunteer support in the country and are part of a group that is making every effort to protect each person involved with our program.  

C. J. Gavin 

Executive Director 

River Valley Chapter