Red Cross Talks (Page 25)

After nearly losing her life in a fire and helplessly looking on as a man died of a heart attack, Chantale Bilodeau began volunteering with the Red Cross. Chantale has spent the last 12 years working for the organization she cares so deeply about and is now sharing her remarkable story.

Getting outside during the COVID-19 pandemic can be a boon for both body and mind, but not everyone is lucky enough to live near nature or have the means to get there. That’s why Altrusa International of Nanaimo decided to distribute bus tickets and maps to people in need - along with masks and hand sanitizer - to help them connect with the outdoors.

Can you think about the last time you started a new job? How everything was new for you, processes were confusing. Now, imagine that this new job is responding to the resurgence of Ebola in a neighbouring country during a pandemic. This is the tough job Jimmy Zaka Mansongele had to face when he was sent to the Republic of Congo as an Operations Manager for the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).

The sun is getting stronger, winter gear is slowly diminishing, blossoms are beginning to show, hope is starting to grow – it’s springtime! In Canada, there are a few things to keep in mind to be ready for specific emergencies the new season can bring, such as increased risk of flooding as snow melts away.

This past week, Canadian Red Cross lost one of our long-time and beloved volunteers, Ted Itani. Throughout his life, Ted’s contributions to humanitarian work were truly extraordinary.

“The primary goal of our work is to increase social connectedness,” explains Frank Cohn, director of DUDES Club, a British Columbia-based non-profit organization that promotes men’s health and wellness, particularly among Indigenous communities.
 

The First Nations Health and Wellness Colouring Book is bursting with life and love. It is a gathering of Manitoba First Nation artists invited to react to and create with the themes of health and wellness. In partnership with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the Canadian Red Cross produced the colouring book as part of a continuing conversation with First Nation communities to support health and wellness.

Ololade (Lola) Ogunsuyi has discovered her niche working with the Canadian Red Cross as a site manager, supporting residents and staff at long-term care homes in Ontario. With her penchant for sharing knowledge and solving problems, Lola has instilled confidence in teams as they work to turn the tide against COVID-19.