Author: American Red Cross of North Florida

The North Florida Region covers 35 counties with a population of more than 3 million residents. We provide disaster relief to families affected by disaster, training courses in first aid and CPR, and provide services to the Armed Forces, including family communications for deployed service men and women.

Remembering Harrison

As many as 100,000 people in the United States are estimated to be suffering from sickle cell disease, affecting people of all ethnicities and walks of life, with the highest rate impacting the African American community. One family shared their story about how sickle cell tragically cut short the life of their loved one, Harrison Powell at the age of 42, survived by his loving family and two teenaged sons.

Harrison, affectionately called Harry, was diagnosed with the disease when he was under one year old. His older sister Georgette remembers as she was feeding him breakfast one morning suddenly, “his head dropped onto the highchair” and he wouldn’t wake. So began years of countless hospital stays and never-ending blood transfusions to help ease the immense pain sickle cell disease causes, but unfortunately there’s no cure for this disease at this time. Georgette says she and her family “thank God for the Red Cross and the blood that’s been made available to [Harry] as a sickle cell patient.” As he was admitted into the hospital every year of his life, at least twice and sometimes more often, transfusions were an integral part of his treatment plan.

“Even though we didn’t physically feel the pain he was going through, the emotional issues he dealt with, we did too.”

Harry had five siblings and thus always had company while in the hospital. His siblings remember with a smile on their faces, his only request during his stay was for someone to sneak him in a Burger King Whopper and a side of fries. His older brother, Gerald Sr., remembers the excruciating pain Harry would suffer while in sickle cell crisis, also called a “pain episode”. Harry fought hard with his family by his side and now they tell his story to honor his life and increase awareness and empathy for those suffering from sickle cell disease. Donating blood for transfusions is an extremely important part of treatment for those diagnosed with this disease and saves the lives of so many.

What is Sickle Cell Anemia?

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America defines sickle cell as “an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged…causing the complications of sickle cell disease.”

How Can You Help?

Donating blood is the best way to help those fighting sickle cell disease. Patients who are undergoing sickle cell crisis need blood transfusions, and the best match usually comes from donors of the same race or ethnicity. This means the more people who donate, the better chance patients have of receiving a transfusion to help them keep fighting.

Written by Kristin McLaughlin

Dinner with a Side of CPR

On June 13, 2020, Lizette Harvey, trained in American Red Cross Adult CPR/AED and Pediatric CPR, helped to sustain the life of a gentleman who became passive at a restaurant in Navarre, FL. Lizette, a regular at the restaurant, was dinning when she noticed a fellow patron in distress. The gentleman was leaning over in his chair and ultimately fell to the floor. Lizette, a restaurant employee, and other bystanders went to aid the gentleman. Lizette quickly performed an assessment. She started conducting chest compressions, while the employee, and other bystanders contacted 9-1-1. Emergency Medical Services arrived shortly afterwards and continued to provide care. Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Training Services course helped to sustain the life of this gentleman.

For this act, Lizette Harvey has been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. This is the highest award given by the American Red Cross to an individual or team of individuals who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course. The certificate bears the signature of the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross, and the signature of the chairman of the American Red Cross.This action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress.


Become a student of the American Red Cross, while obtaining life-saving knowledge and skills designed to keep you prepared in the event of an emergency, with all the latest health and safety training techniques and certification programs. Our comprehensive courses include Lifeguarding, First Aid, and Basic Life Support Instruction for Healthcare Providers, incorporating all of the most up-to-date emergency practices in the Unites States today. Conveniently access course information online, detailed reference pages and manuals designed to support your learning experience, as well as the latest in continuing education opportunities.

https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class

Written by Amber Bierfreund