ABC’s ‘Oprah’s Big Give’

and WPDE TV-15

Help regional Red Cross promote CPR training and to help Americans to ‘Be Red Cross Ready’
(Support the Red Cross and Change a Life, Starting With Your Own)

Sunday, March 2, at 9 p.m., Oprah Winfrey began a challenge of 10 contestants to make dreams come true for total strangers. In the spirit of this inspiring new television show, ABC and “Oprah’s Big Give” will be handing over $1 million and  tasking ABC’s affiliates to give big and give back to their communities. Local affiliates were able to apply for a $10,000 grant that they can use to “pay it forward” in their own unique way.

ABC affiliate WPDE NewsChannel 15 serving the Grand Strand and Florence markets has received a $10,000 grant through this program to use in a way the station feels will change people’s lives in the local community, with a special emphasis placed on reaching into rural South Carolina. The station has chosen to partner with the regional American Red Cross chapters in their coverage area (the Pee Dee Chapter in Florence and the Coastal South Carolina Chapter in Myrtle Beach) to promote a new Red Cross program called “First Aid and CPR for Everyone".

As the nation’s leading provider of CPR training, the Red Cross developed unique in-home training kits, “First Aid and CPR for Everyone", to provide a quick and easy way to learn correct cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills that can save lives and to address the public’s concern about rescue breathing. The kits are especially useful for individuals who do not need CPR certification and who might not otherwise take a CPR course.

The compression-only practice kits are portable tools that can be used at home, in the classroom, in the office or anywhere it is convenient to practice skills. Included is an educational DVD and instructional booklet that makes it easy for anyone of almost any age to follow. The “First Aid and CPR for Everyone” project was introduced in December by National Red Cross to encourage Americans to “Be Red Cross Ready.”

Between March 2 and April 20, the station will generate a lot of buzz about this new Red Cross program and will help to educate the public about CPR and how it can save lives. The promotion will include the use of on-air public service announcements, including an interview of a Pawleys Island man whose life was saved when a friend performed CPR after he had a heart attack at his home. The station will use an online banner to connect the public with information on the project and link to both Red Cross chapter websites.

As a part of the grant requirements, WPDE NewsChannel 15 is challenging its viewers to help that $10,000 donation grow. The in-home kits will be available for a $10 minimum suggested donation to the Red Cross chapter in your community. Continue to watch NewsChannel 15 for March and April Red Cross events or visit www.wpde.com for more details on the project. Learn how you can get an in-home CPR kit in exchange for your donation.

WPDE NewsChannel 15 will culminate this project with live coverage though out the day at several Pee Dee and Grand Strand locations where the kits will be demonstrated and available to the public.

The Red Cross is there for you in times of emergency; this effort could bring your family lifesaving assistance one day. Support the Red Cross and change a life, starting with your own.

What the kit includes:

Illustrated Guide to demonstrate proper hand placement on chest and how to administer proper pressure during compression-only CPR Compression tool Red Cross Emergency First Aid Guide DVD featuring Super Bowl XLI MVP Peyton Manning with information on: Basic First Aid; Building a First Aid Kit; warning signs of a stoke; what to do in a cardiac emergency Emergency Action Steps wallet card

For information on purchasing kits from the chapter in your area call:

Coastal South Carolina Chapter 843-477-0020 Pee Dee Chapter 843-662-8121