A method and a steel reinforced concrete protector in an anode cavity which comprises a cored or 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 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 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. A prepackaged sacrificial anode assembly and a method of increasing a shelf life of the sacrificial anode is also covered.