The American Red Cross is facing new challenges--today's America is more diverse, better educated and more technologically equipped than ever before. The people whose lives we touch speak a variety of languages, come from different cultural backgrounds, and have a wide range of health and safety needs.

Our instructors on the frontline serving and training the public are often the first contact that some communities have with the Red Cross. Our instructors understand how to train varying audiences and serve as resources to diverse communities.

This past year, the Fresno-Madera Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross trained 21,999 people in CPR, First Aid, and Water Safety programs.

Since the passage of the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act in October 2001, the Red Cross continues to be a driving force in the campaign for greater public Automated External Defibrillator (AED) access and training. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) strikes 250,000 Americans annually, and it is estimated that as many as 50,000 lives a year could be saved through the broad deployment of AEDs.