Red Cross Celebrates Successful Lifesaver Breakfast

 Record Setting Fundraising Event Honors Niki Taylor

 
The Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is pleased to announce that a record setting dollar amount of $475,000 and counting, was raised at this year’s Lifesaver Breakfast, through the leadership of event co-chairs, Jan and Harry Jacobson, to support their vital mission as they help the community prepare, respond to and recover from disasters.

“We were truly honored that over 600 of our generous friends and supporters throughout the community joined us at our 12^th Annual Lifesaver Breakfast,” said Regional CEO, Joel Sullivan.   “This year, we celebrated our ‘Everyday Heroes’ who help their neighbors in need and make our mission possible each day.”

 Governor Tom Ridge served as this year’s keynote speaker for the Lifesaver Breakfast, which was held at Lipscomb University in Allen Arena.  Tom Ridge is the president and CEO of Ridge Global.  He is a Vietnam combat veteran, and served as Congressman and Governor of Pennsylvania.  Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Ridge became the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.  Often noted for his instrumental role within Homeland Security, Ridge leads a team of international experts that help businesses and governments address a range of needs throughout their organizations, including security and infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness and response, energy, strategic growth, maritime management and other issues that encompass a diverse portfolio. 

The Nashville Area Chapter was also thrilled to honor local Brentwood resident, supermodel, Niki Taylor, with the Crystal Cross Award.  The Crystal Cross award honors celebrities who have shown exemplary support of and service to the Red Cross mission.  Niki was critically injured in a 2001 car accident. She needed more than 100 transfusions during her treatment, and it took more than 300 blood donors to provide the blood and blood products she needed to survive. A car accident nearly took her life, but Niki took it back. Her experience turned her into a longtime supporter of the Red Cross and she is a member of the organization’s National Celebrity Cabinet. Niki is committed to raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood donation. She hopes that sharing her personal story will inspire others around the country to roll up a sleeve and donate blood or platelets.

Each year, the Lifesaver Breakfast hosts Nashville’s most influential business and community leaders, sharing the mission of the American Red Cross and raising the financial funding resources necessary to provide their core humanitarian services.  For those that were unable to attend the Lifesaver Breakfast, but would still like to support the Red Cross, they may make a donation online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. 

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.