March was first proclaimed as Red Cross Month in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a way to raise awareness of the organization and its humanitarian mission in the midst of war. Since then, every president, including President Obama and now President Donald Trump has designated March as Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross is synonymous with helping people, and has been doing so for more than 130 years.

The American Red Cross presence in American Samoa dates as far back as February 16, 1923 with a document of Certification that sits in our office- prescribed by the Central Committee at Washington — Chairman: Judge John Barton Payne; Secretary: Mabel T. Boardman; President: Calvin Coolidge.

This year the American Red Cross in American Samoa celebrates 94 years of service and to kick off the festivities a team of Red Crossers lead by Youth Club Coordinator/ Water Safety Instructor Zero I’aulualo, assisted by Volunteer Outreach Coordinator- Bella Asiata, Volunteer Youth/Safety- Madjid Al-Shehri and Operations Manager- Val V. Tuilefano conducted what the American Red Cross calls the Citizen CPR only course.

This free CPR only training usually takes about 30 minutes. However, since the request and invitation came from the Tafuna High School Teachers Vocational-Education Department an hour was given for the team to allow clinical practice of 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths as well as time for crucial questions.

Mrs. Fiatele Aiono, Voc-Ed, DH reports that one of the main reasons she reached out to the American Red Cross American Samoa for a CPR presentation was due to the concern triggered by the tragic incident that occurred late last month. She explained that this tragedy hit home to many of their teachers, as some of the victims or bystanders involved were former students. It was this reason she felt it was time for her fellow teachers to learn, refresh and or continue to practice the life-saving-skills offered for free by the local American Red Cross called, Citizen CPR.

According to Manager Val V. Tuilefano, Tafuna High School has consistently over the years referred many of their students, who needed community service hours, to the local Red Cross. At the same time, she said, it is a great way for the students to learn some basic CPR through the condensed made simple Citizen CPR course.

The students understand that the Citizen CPR is only a portion of the needed CPR course that does not cover First Aid/Infant/AED. It is recommended to sign up and attend a CPR/First Aid certification course once made available in the community.

Your local Red Cross asks that you stay posted for upcoming Citizen CPR trainings offered during Red Cross Month of March as well as CPR/First Aid Certification courses that will be made available to the general public real soon.

“I request that during that month (March) our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.”

— President Franklin D. Roosevelt, first Presidential Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month, 1943