The American Red Cross organization succeeds because of the hundreds of everyday heroes who are willing to donate their time, service or blood to help those in need. On March 12, champions in Utah were honored during the Red Cross Heroes event, a celebration during Red Cross Month, to demonstrate how small acts of kindness can create big benefits.

Murray City and the Murray Area Chamber of Commerce received the Community Hero Award for the work done to promote blood donations. Chamber members donated more than 500 units of blood last year, helping more than 1,500 patients. Businesses in the chamber organized 29 blood drives, with the chamber hosting a blood drive in the fall.

“This is a great partnership,” Murray Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Stephanie Wright said. “The Red Cross is very easy and friendly to work with. We just encourage people to come in and donate.”

Organizing a blood drive is as simple as making a phone call to the local Red Cross chapter. Once a suitable date and location are arranged, the organization recruits donors, publicizes the drive and schedules donor appointments. The Red Cross brings all the equipment, does the set up, screens donors and safely collects the blood donations.

Along with blood donation, the Red Cross provides disaster relief, supports military families, offers health and safety trainings, and is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network that involves more than 13 million volunteers from around the globe.

“It’s easy to get involved. The options are limitless,” Utah Red Cross Regional CEO Heidi Ruster said. “Becoming a Red Cross volunteer, working on a preparedness plan for a family, giving blood, making a financial contribution or taking a Red Cross class are just a few of the ways to get involved.”