LONG-TIME AMERICAN RED CROSS VOLUNTEER TEACHES AND INSPIRES
By Karen Lambert

MADISON, NJ - May 18, 2007 Back in April 1977, a life-long desire to teach led Bruce Rex to the American Red Cross chapter on Amsterdam Avenue in New York City. It was there he became a certified CPR Instructor. Thirty years later, he's still teaching and still enjoying the career he started that day as a Red Cross volunteer.

Members of the Chatham First Aid Squad initially trained Rex in CPR and First Aid. Right away, he knew he wanted to help people with this new knowledge. However, an inherited neurolomuscular syndrome called CMT limited his physical abilities, preventing him from being an active member of his hometown's Squad. He was to discover that being a Red Cross Volunteer would prove to satisfy that desire to help.

Within a week of becoming certified, Rex was delivering training to the Summit Fire Department. He soon began teaching for Red Cross chapters located in Summit, Madison and Morristown. Rex not only provided on-site training at each of these locations, but through these chapters, he also administered employee courses at local corporations. Additionally, he taught CPR and Advanced First Aid for two semesters at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison.

"I'm most proud of the people I've taught who have confidently met with a crisis because of the skills I taught them. They tell me how good it felt to know what to do." shares Rex. In 1978, a 15-year-old boy who received CPR training from Rex saved his grandfather's life. The young man received a presidential citation for his actions.

An employee of then Summit-based CIBA-Geigy Pharmaceuticals, Rex offered his services to the company's Health & Safety Department, and eventually was providing employee training in CPR and First Aid. He also began training, as a member, CIBA's on-site First Aid Squad and Fire Department. In 1980, Rex became an Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.); he remained on the squad and continued to run employee courses until his retirement in 1995.

In the early '90's, Rex was asked by the Summit Area Red Cross chapter's health and safety director to become their Volunteer Chairman of CPR and First Aid, a position he still holds. In this capacity, he coordinates and schedules courses and also keeps track of all CPR and First Aid volunteers. Rex's home chapter is now called the Colonial Crossroads Chapter, after the merger last fall of the Summit Area and Southeast Morris chapters. Rex teaches classes at both chapter houses in Summit and Madison.

After his retirement, Rex was able to dedicate even more hours to the Red Cross by helping to staff local blood drives and blood pressure screenings. He also took the required steps to become an Instructor Trainer and teach other volunteers to administer Red Cross Health and Safety courses. Rex currently delivers Instructor training for First Aid, CPR, Babysitting, and Pet First Aid. He also teaches each of these courses along with the Cub Scout Readyman Badge class.

"I really enjoy working with the kids who take the Babysitting course. I try to create an atmosphere where they can have fun while they're learning." Rex says. A father of three and a grandfather of seven, Rex has had the pleasure of teaching his granddaughter, Kelsey, who took the babysitting course, and his daughter, Karen, whom he recently trained to be a Babysitting Instructor.

In addition to his work with the Red Cross, Rex has recently become a Hospice Volunteer for the CareOne Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Morristown. He is an officer and past president of the Summit chapter of the AARP and, in the past, has been honored for Outstanding Community Service by the Board of Recreation in Chatham.

Yet he wishes he could do more. Because of CMT, the neurolomuscular syndrome he's battled for years, Rex walks with double crutches when he's not using a walker or wheelchair. He can no longer get down on the floor to demonstrate a skill and is unable to teach any water-related courses. While these physical limitations are frustrating, they do not prevent him from doing the work he loves.

Those who know Rex admire his spirit and determination. Instead of giving up when things got harder, Rex just adapted to the necessary changes, as did his home chapter in Summit. Ten years ago, when the outside stairs at the Summit building were becoming a problem for Rex, a lift was installed to make access easier.

"It's all about going the extra mile for that one student who needs it," says Rex. "My job is to pass people, not fail them! I want everyone who comes to my classes to leave certified because the Red Cross always needs more volunteers like the ones I train."

The American Red Cross is built on volunteers who inspire by example. With his positive attitude and dedication to helping people, long-time volunteer Bruce Rex truly is an inspiration.