a method of using and a steel reinforced concrete protector in an anode cavity which comprises a cored hole , a drilled hole or a cut chase formed in concrete . the protector comprises a sacrificial anode assembly and a separate backfill . the sacrificial anode assembly comprises a sacrificial metal element that is a metal less noble than steel and an activator to maintain an activity of the sacrificial metal element . the at least one spacer prevents the sacrificial metal element and the activator from contacting the surface of the anode cavity . the spacer and the sacrificial metal element have a coupling mechanism which facilitates connection of the sacrificial metal element to the spacer . the backfill is a pliable and viscous material which contains an electrolyte , and the backfill facilitates embedding the anode assembly in the anode cavity . the invention also relates to a prepackaged sacrificial anode assembly and a method of increasing a shelf life of the sacrificial anode .