Plane crash survivor advocates for Red Cross

On the third anniversary of the plane crash now known as “The Miracle on the Hudson,” survivor Dave Sanderson was again on a plane, this time touching down safely in Baton Rouge. Sanderson, who was the last of the 155 people off the plane that day, was in town to encourage women to join the new Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders of the American Red Cross for the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter.
 

Dave Sanderson was in Baton Rouge recently to share his experience from the Hudson plane crash with women leaders from the American Red Cross. Board member Donna Mayeux hosted the Tiffany Circle Society event in her home. Enjoying the evening were (seated) Tiffany Circle Chair Julie Baxter and Sanderson and (standing, from left) Donna Lee, Red Cross Development Director Laura St. Blanc, Anne Trappey, Ann Gerald, Red Cross CEO Bobbi Zaunbrecher and Mayeux.

Sanderson enjoyed his first visit to Baton Rouge for the Red Cross in September so much that he decided to add a day to a business trip to help foster the mission here, also visiting Christy Reeves and folks at Blue Cross Blue Shield to share his inspirational Red Cross story.

The Red Cross touched Sanderson’s life several times after the plane went down in New York. He recounted how that fateful day turned many miracles into a mission, his mission.

The two groups who touched everyone that day were first responders and the American Red Cross, Sanderson said. “This is why I speak so passionately about the Red Cross. When they get the call, they go.”

While most people never believe they’ll need the services of the Red Cross, in less than 14 hours, Sanderson had three such experiences: on the shore of the Hudson, later at the hospital and as he returned to his family in North Carolina.

Sanderson was so moved by their actions that he commits to helping the American Red Cross any way he can. Often, that’s speaking on its behalf across the country.  He has helped Tiffany Circle chapters across the country to raise awareness and raise money for the Red Cross.

The Tiffany Circle for the Louisiana Capital Area Chapter is in its inaugural year.  Attorney and former news reporter Julie Baxter is the Tiffany Circle chair for the region.  Local philanthropist Angelina Wilson, veteran nurse and 70-year Red Cross volunteer Genny Sheridan, and Deidra Jackson, communications and governmental affairs lead for BASF Corporation in Louisiana are the first members to join in the Baton Rouge area.

The purpose of the Society of Women Leaders, known as the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle, is to recognize the important legacy of women in philanthropy by offering the opportunity to help fund the Red Cross locally, and to be recognized on a larger scale through the organization’s national and global reach.  

Nationally this elite group has grown from its original eight members to nearly 700, and over the past five years has cumulatively given over $33 million to the American Red Cross to serve their neighbors in need. It has also grown to be an international movement, with Red Cross women’s societies in Great Britain, Canada and France. At least eight other Red Cross Societies are now examining the program to assess its potential for engaging women in the mission of the Red Cross. 

“Hope does not disappoint us,” Sanderson said referencing a Bible verse. “The Red Cross does that every day, taking people from suffering to hope.”