March is American Red Cross Month. There are many recognition months just like this when organizations typically reach out to encourage the donations. And, the American Red Cross is no different – they can always use more funds to help provide disaster relief and other life-saving and compassionate services. But, they don’t just ask for donations. They also spend quite a deal of time and effort offering various programs and serving as an important resource in communities across America.

It’s nice sometimes to talk about what charities do with the money they raise rather than always asking for money. That’s why I like this particular story. On Saturday, March 19, there will be 100 locations across the country that will host free CPR and first aid training on the Gabrielle Giffords Save-a-Life Saturday. At just two months since the deadly shooting in Arizona that injured Gabrielle Giffords and killed six, the American Red Cross is crediting those bystanders that were educated in CPR and first aid with helping to save many lives.

Of course, the most well-known of those bystanders is Daniel Hernandez, the intern who cared for Congresswoman Giffords until paramedics arrived. Hernandez was trained in the medical profession before his political stint, but that doesn’t mean you have to be formally trained to help save lives.

Here’s what the American Red Cross says about it: “The events that unfolded in Arizona reminded the nation of the importance of being prepared in the event of an emergency. Many of the bystanders knew CPR and first aid and were able to save the lives of several victims, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who received help from her intern Daniel Hernandez.”

So, if you’ve never been trained, now is the time. These classes are fast and easy and will instruct participants the basics of hands-only CPR, the treatment of shock and how to treat wounds. The classes are shortened versions of full-length Red Cross training courses and will last less than one hour. To find out if there is a course offered near you, visit The American Red Cross.

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