American Red Cross in Greater NY Podcast - Alec Cecil

The American Red Cross in Greater New York Podcast is a collection of short, intimate conversations with everyday heroes who give back and help others suffering from trauma and tragedy. In these episodes, they share personal stories of altruism and compassion. The theme of this first season is "Humanitarians of New York".

Episode 1 - Keep Calm and Be There for Others 

"When you see some of the real tragedies that people go through and how resilient they can be and how they find their way back, and you know there were a little part of helping them do that, it is very rewarding”, Alec Cecil, Pelham, N.Y.

Alec Cecil is a psychologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, working primarily with underserved adolescents and young adults and their families.

He joined the American Red Cross in 2001 after the crash of AA Flight 587 in Queens. As part of his work with the Red Cross, Alec volunteers with the organization's Service to the Armed Forces Program (running Reconnection Workshops), he teaches Psychological First Aid and Disaster Mental Health Fundamentals, and he deploys nationally to provide Disaster Mental Health support following major emergencies like Hurricane Harvey and the Parkland shooting.

Producer: Chi Kong Lui, American Red Cross in Greater NY
Editor: Sue Tran, American Red Cross in Greater NY
Hosts: Michael de Vulpillieres and Abigail Adams, American Red Cross in Greater NY

American Red Cross in Greater NY Launches Podcast Series

The American Red Cross in Greater New York Region launched today its inaugural podcast series, a collection of short, intimate conversations with everyday heroes who give back and help others suffering from trauma and tragedy.



Through these unique New York stories, the podcast will feature individuals directly affiliated with the Red Cross and others with no direct connection to the organization. What these people have in common are their personal stories of altruism and compassion. The theme of this first season of the Greater NY Red Cross podcast is "Humanitarians of New York".

“In these divisive and uncertain times in which we live, it is heartening to hear stories that uplift us and bring us together,” said Susan Rounds, Interim CEO, American Red Cross in Greater NY. “Behind the scenes at every emergency are selfless heroes who do whatever necessary to help ease the pain of those suffering.”

The podcast launched today, October 2, 2019. New episodes will be available every two weeks after that. As they are released, episodes be available on iTunes and on the official Greater NY Red Cross blog.

Some of the individuals featured:

• A psychologist, father of three and volunteer who offers his time and expertise to individuals coping with tragedy. Click here to listen.
• A dog owner who started a pet therapy group in her community to help bring comfort to adults and children alike.
• A young emergency management professional who was first introduced with humanitarian work at the age of 13.
• A Rabbi who carries his family tradition of service forward by providing a safe space for those suffering during a disaster
• A mother of two from Long Island whose volunteerism began with the PTA and has led her on adventure across Long Island, the USA, and around the world
• A former financial services executive who volunteers his time regularly to deliver emergency relief to victims of local fires and other local disasters.
• Residents of Paradise, California who, in the face of the deadliest wildfires in CA history, took action and saved lives. Though not form NY they will be honored by the American Red Cross in Greater NY in October.
• An IT professional who travels the world to help build telecommunications networks in disaster zones.