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UPDATE: Gail McGovern Had More on her Mind Than Haiti During Dallas Visit

If you’ll recall, dearest ones, when the Haiti earthquake broke loose back on January 12, American Red Cross President/CEO Gail McGovern (pictured) was in town to visit the facilities and meet with the influentials of Dallas. By the end of the day, she was guest of honor at a private party at Myrna and Bob Schlegels‘ and afterwards at Margot and Jim Keyes for an even more private dinner, plus putting into place the Haitian relief efforts. All of this and it was her birthday, too!

As if that wasn’t an example of multi-tasking in overdrive, the next day she visited with former President George W. Bush, ExxonMobil’s Rex Tillerson, T. Boone, and the head of Kimberley-Clark.

No one would have suspected that during her day with W and the rest of the big boys that she had just received word that she had breast cancer.

Let’s see. Within 48 hours, she had met with the former president, started coordinating relief efforts for a major catastrophe, and learned she had cancer. Seems a little overwhelming, doesn’t it?

This news about her health and her undergoing surgery on February 11 was revealed over the past weekend. According to American Red Cross spokesperson Roger Lowe, the reason for the delay was Gail “wanted to wait until she knew what she was dealing with and what the effect would be on her work before she announced it.”

Luckily, the doctors report the prognosis is “excellent” and Gail has added the Chile earthquake situation to the Red Cross’s “must-do-list.”

Dallas’ Red Cross Dresses Up With Beads For Mardi Gras Masquerade 2010

Bourbon Street may be in trouble. There are no beads or masks left for Mardi Gras thanks to the Saturday night’s “Mardi Gras Masquerade 2010” at the House of Blues benefiting the Dallas Chapter of the Red Cross.

You know how most people dread costume parties? Those folks stayed at home. Just as well. They wouldn’t have stood a chance with the likes of Hank Keller and John Coffman (pictured right, with Hank and Marisa Allen). Sure to all the world, they appeared to be a couple of cute guys, but say “Where’s your costume?” and the masks came out. Seems the boys dropped by Pier One to pick up their “look.”

And looks were in abundance thanks to the welcome committee that draped everyone in beads, beads, and more beads. VIP’s reception guests were easy to spot. They sported the gumball-size pearl  beads with red crosses. One hesitant guest upon seeing the pearl necklace coming his way said, “It looks like something to ward off vampires.”

And speaking of “looks,” that’s exactly what Mary Lucille Coffman (pictured) got as she walked by on her oh-so high platform shoes and in an interesting dress with cut-out back. No one seemed to notice if she was wearing a mask or not.

Red Cross Executive Director Cheryl Sutterfield decided to take a different angle to the attire in her multi-colored flowing gown topped off with still more Mardi Gras beads. Even her earrings matched the beads.

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Red Cross’s McGovern Flawlessly Juggles Fundraising And Haiti Disaster — cont’d.

As the devastating news from Haiti continues, Gail McGovern has upped the American Red Cross commitment to $1 million in aid to the decimated country. The Red Cross has also created a blog regarding the disaster.

Want to help? Here are three ways that you can assist:

1. Contribute money. You can even send a $10 donation by texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999.
2. Volunteer time.
3. Donate blood.

Red Cross’s McGovern Flawlessly Juggles Fundraising And Haiti Disaster

American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern‘s (pictured) birthday was today. Before her husband could even wish her “Happy Birthday this morning, she hopped on a plane to Dallas just to visit with the North Texas supporters of the Red Cross. The former Harvard Business School prof’s schedule was nicely and neatly planned for her stay in Dallas. Schmoozing with AT&T, Shrub, and the usual suspects. While she was meeting, greeting, and gratefully chatting it up with Red Cross folks like mainstay Billie Leigh Rippey at Myrna and Bob Schelgel‘s incredible estate, reports of the disastrous 7.0 earthquake in Haiti were being reported. Without an eyelash out of place, Gail’s crew was already announcing $200,000 to help with the initial support of the island country.

Tomorrow she’s meeting with W, ExxonMobil’s Rex Tillerson, T. Boone, and the head of Kimberley-Clark.

This is definitely a woman who has a masters in multi-tasking. This is also an organization that needs support to help others on a moment’s notice.