Hurricane Season Coming Soon; Get Ready Now, Become a Red Cross Volunteer

Experts predict yet another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, making it critical for everyone who lives in hurricane prone areas to make their preparations now.

Also, with the growing number of large and dangerous disasters, the American Red Cross needs more volunteers to respond to these emergencies.

The country has seen record-breaking hurricane seasons over the last several years and this year’s outlook continues this trend of more frequent and intense climate-driven disasters. In the last three years alone, there has been a six-fold increase in the annual number of disasters causing $1 billion dollars or more in damage, compared to 40 years ago.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED This relentless pace of severe disasters has created more ongoing emergency needs, especially for families who have been displaced year after year by extreme weather events. As the growing number of climate disasters threatens lives on a near-constant basis, the Red Cross is growing our volunteer capacity to respond to these emergencies.

The need to help during disasters has never been greater. Join us to provide relief and hope when it matters most. Visit redcross.org to sign up now. These are our most-needed disaster volunteer positions:

• SHELTER SUPPORT: Help at a shelter during a large disaster by welcoming and registering residents, serving meals, setting up cots, distributing blankets and personal hygiene kits, and providing information and other assistance to people in need.
• HEALTH SERVICES: Use your professional skills as a licensed health care provider to deliver hands-on support, including care and education to people staying at a shelter during a large disaster. Qualified licenses include RN, LPN, LVN, EMT, Paramedic, MD, DO, PA, NP and APRN.
• DISASTER ACTION TEAM: While big hurricanes get the most news coverage, smaller disasters such as home fires are no less devastating to those affected. Join your local Disaster Action Team to help families in need by providing food, lodging, comfort, recovery assistance and other support.
   

HOW TO GET READY Preparing for hurricane season doesn’t have to be hard, just follow these steps to help make sure your family is ready to either evacuate or hunker down if a storm threatens your community.

• First, create an evacuation plan. Plan what to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and if you have to evacuate.
• Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.
• Be informed. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.
• Download the free Red Cross Emergency app to have severe weather safety information right at your fingertips.The Emergency app provides real-time weather alerts and tips on how to stay safe during severe weather and countless other emergencies. Search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps.
   

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. However, 2021 was the seventh consecutive year that a storm formed before the designated start of the season, so it’s critical for people who live in hurricane prone areas to make their preparedness plans now. You can find more hurricane safety information here.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

International Humanitarian Law Workshop

On the Front Lines

Monday, April 11th 6-7:15 pm

Virtual on Zoom

As war dominates the headlines, join the American Red Cross for an exploration of ongoing International Humanitarian Law (IHL) issues and the critical function the rules of war play in reducing suffering & protecting the innocent. Presented by Rose Gould has extensive international experience living, working and traveling in over forty-five countries. Rose has served in United States Air Force for over 20 years, engaged in civilian humanitarian work abroad, and is has taught War and Peace, Law, and Society, and Sociology courses as a faculty member at Emmanuel College. After the presentation, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Register here:

https://on-the-front-lines-ihl.eventbrite.com

When you Spring Forward Sunday, don’t forget the smoke alarms

Daylight saving time is on Sunday, March 13. Make sure you turn your clocks forward one hour and test your smoke alarms.

Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half, which is why it is crucial to “turn and test” and take the following lifesaving steps to keep everyone safe from home fires – the nation’s most frequent disaster.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace the batteries at least once a year if your model requires it.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. That’s because the sensor becomes less sensitive over time. Check the date of your smoke alarms and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Practice your two-minute escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to get out of a burning home before it’s too late. Include at least two ways to get out from every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone knows where to meet.
• Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.

Learn more home fire safety tips and help us spread the word by sharing our national news story (English and Spanish).

American Rare Donor Program – Saving lives, every day

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, in fact it’s a critical, irreplaceable part of our nation’s healthcare infrastructure. Whether it’s a mother giving birth, a child fighting cancer, a neighbor suffering after a tragic accident or a friend with a rare blood disease, the availability of the right type of blood — when and where it’s needed — can mean the difference between life and death.

Not everyone has a common blood type. In the U.S., about 1,000 people have rare blood types that require blood from a donor with the exact same rare type to avoid sometimes deadly transfusion complications. Blood types are inherited, so in addition to those who have inherited their rare blood type from their parents, people who have been exposed to blood through transfusions or pregnancies can form antibodies, resulting in less commonly compatible blood.

The Red Cross is dedicated to ensuring everyone — especially vulnerable people with the rarest blood types — receives lifesaving blood. To help meet these very specific demands, the Red Cross manages the American Rare Donor Program on behalf of blood banks nationwide.

The American Red Cross helps meet the constant demand for blood by providing about 40% of the nation’s blood supply — more than any other blood bank in the U.S. — serving as an essential partner to thousands of hospitals and cancer treatment centers across the country. From blood donor to recipient, we shepherd each unit on its careful journey:

• Collecting blood at our more than 500 daily blood drives,
• Conducting at least 10 tests on each unit to ensure the safest blood possible,
• Delivering 6.4 million blood products on demand to patients annually.

July 1, 2021 Donor and Client Support Center, Charlotte, North Carolina Sickle cell fighter and Umoja member Pam Brandon donates blood to support sickle cell warriors. The Umoja African-American Resource Group is one of seven resource groups used to connect American Red Cross employees and volunteers. Photo by American Red Cross Please note: This photo was taken prior to the re-instatement of our mask mandate.

The Red Cross provides in-depth testing, typing and matching of blood products for people with sickle cell disease. To better serve people with sickle cell disease—a disease that disproportionately affects Black Americans—we’re proud to announce a new campaign to cultivate a larger pool of Black donors, as these donors are more likely than other demographic groups to have blood best suited to alleviate the painful symptoms of sickle cell disease in most patients. Having a larger pool of Black donors will result in better blood matches and increase the number of people with sickle cell disease we can serve. We’ll support this campaign by leveraging Black partnerships and by sharing targeted messages in authentic and relevant ways.

The Red Cross is dedicated to ensuring everyone — especially vulnerable people with the rarest blood types — receives lifesaving blood. To help meet these very specific demands, the Red Cross manages the American Rare Donor Program on behalf of blood banks nationwide.

Through this vital program, the American Red Cross tracks those with rare blood types to enable lifesaving matches with people in need. The program’s trained staff works around the clock, vigilantly:

• Managing a database of more than 75,000 active blood donors with rare blood types,
• Tracking and maintaining regular communication with rare donor registrants,
• Performing specialized testing and matching for rare blood types and
• Fulfilling lifesaving requests for rare blood.

The American Rare Donor Program fulfills requests from hospitals and blood banks, ultimately providing about 3,000 units of rare blood to recipients across the country and, in some cases, around the globe each year.

The American Rare Donor Program is also part of the International Society of Blood Transfusion’s International Rare Donor Panel, which lists the availability of extremely rare blood types — for which some, only a few donors are known in the world. With FDA approval, the program has imported and exported blood internationally to help patients in need.

Today, this program has successfully met 95% of rare blood requests. We must continue this essential work on behalf of blood banks, hospitals and patients nationwide, as even one person — someone’s parent, child, sibling or friend — without the blood they need is too much.

Giving Back is the Greatest Gift

by Sharon E. Curry, American Red Cross of Massachusetts

Sharon Curry speaks with CBS Boston reporter Kate Merrill in April of 2021. View CBS Boston’s story here.

At a past time in my life, I needed help to provide for my three sons. I was told about the American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry, and how they helped families in need of assistance. With tears in my eyes, I visited the Food Pantry, telling them my story of how I didn’t have any food for my family during the holidays. I was so overwhelmed with all the support that they gave to me. I cried all the way home (happy tears!) knowing that someone cared to help put food on my table for the holidays.

I said to myself ‘I have to help the American Red Cross because they made a way for me and my family.’ I joined the Food Pantry as a volunteer for many years nonstop until I was hired to work and help service the families in need of food assistance.

What keeps me going?

I have many purposes in life that I found over the years of working at the American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry. As I help families with their needs, I still see myself in every last one of them – mothers, grandmothers, fathers, aunts, sister, brothers, and children. If I can help one person, like American Red Cross helps millions, my purpose is fulfilled.

My perspective on the work I do comes from my mother, as I grew up in a family of nine. She has always told me her stories of her life and how she had to provide for her family. She explained that times were very hard for her, but she never gave up. The will is to make a difference in the world.

(Boston, MA 11/21/20) Mayor Martin Walsh takes a quick picture with Sharon Curry as they hand out turkey and the fixings at the American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry. (Mayor’s Office Photo by John Wilcox)

I would like people of all colors to know that it does not matter who you are – it’s what you are that matters.  Who is really there to help make life’s journeys a little bit easier? The American Red Cross has done just that for me and others, and they continue to do that for families around the world.

My message is this to volunteers, employees, and donors:

Frist: Find your purpose in life. Second: Give what you have with an open heart. Third: Don’t ever give up believing in yourself. It will give you a chance in life as the American Red Cross did for me.

Thanks – Sharon E. Curry

Sharon Curry speaks to a group of volunteers during a Thanksgiving distribution in November of 2018.

Black History Month: Honoring Gwen T. Jackson

by American Red Cross

This Black History Month, we’re honoring Black men and women who played a pivotal role in helping the American Red Cross become the organization that it is today. Meet Gwen T. Jackson.

Gwen Jackson portrait 1988. National Chairman of Volunteers.

 Gwen T. Jackson began her career with the Red Cross in 1961 as a volunteer in the Service to Military Families Department of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter. Jackson also held a number of other positions within the Red Cross, including Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter, until she was appointed National Chairman of Volunteers in 1989. She was the first African American to be appointed to this position, which was established in 1953. During her tenure, she implemented the results of the Volunteer 2000 Study, completed in 1988 to study the downturn in volunteerism and provide a blueprint for future growth.

While serving with the Red Cross, Jackson provided assistance during major disasters such as Hurricane Hugo and support during the Persian Gulf War. She later became a member of the American National Red Cross Board of Governors in 1992 and was re-elected for a second term in 1995. Jackson was presented with the Cynthia Wedel Award, an award given to outstanding Red Cross volunteers, for her 50 years of dedication and volunteer leadership in 2003. She currently holds an appointment as Chair Emeritus of the American Red Cross Milwaukee Chapter.

Be Positive: Like B+ blood donor Briana

by Briana Andella

I am positive that I am petrified and hate needles.

Over the years and still to this day at 26 years old I: cry, scream, become nauseous, almost pass out, try escaping, skip routine bloodwork, only receive required vaccines and in the past even lied about an appointment’s location when a family member took me for bloodwork.  Needles and I do NOT get along. I suffer from myofascial pain syndrome/fibromyalgia as well as other health issues; all of this causes widespread pain thus making needles even more difficult for me. I can vividly feel the whole process, from the needle going into my body and staying in to either the vaccine going into my body or with bloodwork the removable of my blood.  It is extremely painful and I try to avoid them at all costs, until now.

In May 2020 my older sister, Brittany, was 7 months along with her 3rd pregnancy.  Her bloodwork came back with elevated titer levels so her doctor referred her to a specialist for a level two ultrasound.  Off she went alone to the appointment due to COVID-19, there she discovered her baby had a rare condition: fetal anemia. Fetal anemia is when the fetus doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells and when the amount of red blood cells falls below normal levels, it can adversely affect the fetus and the pregnancy.

My sister, her husband Greg and their team of doctors had a plan to ensure the baby’s health and safety. Over the next month my sister underwent 2 separate procedures to give her baby 2 in utero blood transfusions that were desperately needed. In June 2020 my sister, her husband, their two daughters and the rest of our family welcomed a beautiful baby boy named Mason. Due to his condition he was delivered a month early to increase his survival chances. Within minutes of being born he was rushed to the NICU where he remained under close supervision being poked and prodded by countless doctors running tests to ensure he was improving over the next month. In the 3 months following his birth Mason underwent 5 more blood transfusions before he was given the all clear that he was no longer anemic.

With some great news finally my sister and her family were able to breathe a sigh of relief. My sister then set out a goal for 2021: to donate blood 7 times to replenish the stock her baby boy needed and to pay it forward to more people, since 1 donation can save up to 3 lives.  Unfortunately, after 2 donations she received a call from the American Red Cross saying that she was ineligible to donate anymore due to the number of antibodies that she now carries.  When my sister shared this news with me she was heartbroken because she wanted to give back to a cause that helped give her family a precious little boy.  Without hesitation I told her I would take one for the team and finish her goal. Just over a week later I had my first ever blood donation appointment with my sister by my side. Each appointment has been a little rocky for me: I either almost pass out, but thank goodness for the amazing phlebotomists that the American Red Cross employs who help with preventing it; or my hemoglobin levels are just below eligibility.  Yet, even with every setback and painful moment I push through to reach my sister’s, and now my, combined goal of 7 blood donations in 2021.

I donate to pay it forward to other families and to say THANK YOU to those who have donated and the entire American Red Cross Organization that helped bring my nephew to our family.  Mason is now the happiest, healthiest and sweetest little boy I have ever met and I know our family could not picture life without him.

Prior to the diagnosis and struggles that my nephew and our family went through I would have never in a million years considered donating blood.  Since then, I am beyond thankful not everyone has that mindset, because without others selflessness of donating my family may not have a healthy Mason in our lives. Although my family and I had to go through life altering circumstances for some of us to find the value of blood donation I truly hope our story will help others get over their fear, even just for an hour, and donate to help others. You never know when life will throw a curveball that may require you or someone you love to need a blood transfusion. Use our story as your sign to donate today to save another family from potential heartache, because if I can do it ANYONE can!

I am positive that I am petrified and hate needles, but I am positive I love my family and others more…I tell myself that the pain is temporary but the impact lasts a lifetime.

International Day of Persons With Disabilities

By Loni Koller, American Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer

Established by the United Nations in 1992, the goal of the International Day of Persons With Disabilities is to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society. 

In 2021, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed on December 3.

Did you know that people with disabilities represent the nation’s largest minority group with nearly one in five identifying with some type of disability or about 56.7 million Americans?

Since 2017, the American Red Cross Disability Integration (DI) program, although young when compared to 140 years of Red Cross history, ensures that the ADA guidelines are followed. The DI program is made up of Red Cross volunteers who are committed to a fully inclusive, equitable and integrated environment where the whole community is empowered and engaged throughout the disaster cycle of Prepare, Respond, Recover.  

“As DI subject matter experts, we view each disability need as a puzzle piece,” says John Mathews, a 35-year Red Cross volunteer and Southwest and Rocky Mountain (SWaRM) division DI Zone Lead. “DI volunteers find ways to take that puzzle piece and ensure that all parties have equal access to all our programs and services,” he concludes. 

Examples of a disability puzzle piece:

•  A person who uses a wheelchair needs access to our shelter, but the entrance door is too narrow (ADA guideline states a minimum of 32 inches) to accommodate a wheelchair.
• A person whose primary language is not English is having difficulty communicating.
• During a hurricane, a person who uses a CPAP machine (treats people with sleep apnea) needs consistent power and will rely on a power generator if the shelter loses electricity.
• A family with an autistic child finds the shelter environment overly chaotic and extremely stressful.

Where does DI fit within RED CROSS? “We touch every line of service and are an integral part of the Red Cross,” Gail Schmeidler. SWaRM’s DI Advisor, says. Gail further explains, “In Preparedness, how to communicate smoke alarms to a deaf community. With External Relations, finding a partner to support accessible housing. Sheltering, are we using the universal icon signage that assists people with access and functional needs? And in Feeding, providing food that fits the cultural and health needs of the community or workforce.”

As ADA guidelines matured, other changes came to light, like People’s-First Language which emphasizes the individuality, equality and dignity of people with disabilities. Rather than defining people primarily by their disability (wheelchair bound), instead it’s a “person who uses a wheelchair”. A person is not “retarded or mentally defective” they are instead a “person with an intellectual, cognitive or developmental disability.”

Meeting the needs of people after the storm

Large scale disaster responses require logistic coordination on the level of a package delivery service like UPS, but with the caring touch of a close friend. That is what is required whenever the American Red Cross responds to storms like Hurricane Ida, which struck coastal Louisiana August 29.

Massachusetts Regional Chief Executive Officer Holly Grant and Executive Director for Southeastern Massachusetts Barbara Cotton deployed to support relief operations in Louisiana, working as Elected Official Liaisons (EOL) to ensure support reached communities in need.

Holly Grant on a deployment in Puerto Rico.

An EOL’s job is to ensure needs are met in outlying communities, generally where there is no electricity or regular services for residents. Once areas are deemed safe for relief and recovery operations, Red Cross volunteers literally roll into affected communities with Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs), bringing with them ready-to-eat meals, cleaning supplies, and hot food as cooking and feeding sites are established. These ERV crews crisscrossed devastated towns in Southeast Louisiana, finding those in need.

“My role was to work with local and state officials to escalate the needs and coordinate resources for feeding, sheltering and clean up supplies in hard-hit communities,” said Cotton. “People couldn’t have been more grateful to the American Red Cross and the relief that we were able to provide. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this amazing effort.”

Barbara Cotton on deployment in New Orleans.

“The elected officials were so grateful for what we were doing in their communities. They were committed and passionate, making sure their residents got the support that was needed, helping them on the road to recovery,” said Grant. “Our work ebbed and flowed depending on what the needs were. As clean-up kit delivery was ending in some parts of Louisiana, it was just beginning in others.” Flood waters receded differently across the impact zone, and Red Cross volunteers moved into new areas as officials communicated their needs through local EOLs.

Partnerships stretched beyond local government. Working with community groups like the NAACP, local Hispanic groups and Native American groups allowed better and close coordination to make sure help arrived where it was needed.

“The United Houma Nation are a historic Native American people of approximately 17,000 across six parishes of southern Louisiana, with their headquarters located in Terrebonne Parrish, where I was assigned,” said Cotton. The members of the community helped Red Cross volunteers and staff better understand the effects of Hurricane Ida, according to Cotton.

Barbara Cotton with fellow volunteers visiting the United Houma Nation in Louisiana.

The Red Cross Latino Engagement team was also active in the response, serving people in need in Houma, according to Grant. “Cruz Roja from Mexico deployed to Louisiana, doing great work helping us set up service opportunities where it was needed,” said Grant.

Local residents are no strangers to strong storms, with more than 25 subtropical cyclones affecting Louisiana since the year 2000. With storms like Katrina (2005), Rita (2005), Gustav (2008), Laura (2020) and now Ida, coping and with severe weather and preparedness is part of daily life.

“They are unbelievably resilient, and creative, and always looking to find a way to move forward,” said Grant, who has deployed to Louisiana twice in the past two years. “When you live down here, you have to be really resilient to find a way to put one foot in front of the other. I’m proud to be able to help the people of Louisiana.”

Running the Boston Marathon to celebrate Native American Heritage

November is National Native American Heritage Month. Erin Tapahe, Diné (Navajo) ran the Boston Marathon as a member of Team Red Cross.

When Erin Tapahe, Diné (Navajo), completed the Boston Marathon Oct. 11, it was a personal triumph for herself, but it meant much more as the 125^th running of the marathon was on Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

“Being able to run on Indigenous Peoples’ Day was really important for me,” said Erin. “To be able to represent my people helped me make the decision to begin training for Boston.”

2021 had already been a busy running year for Erin. She had completed the 300-plus mile Running is Medicine relay race in May and the Utah Valley Marathon in June. Friends Erin had made training earlier in the year encouraged her to consider the 2021 Boston Marathon.

“I had to get back into training faster than most people would following a marathon,” said Erin.

However, the thought of being able to run Boston on a day set aside to celebrate and honor Native American peoples and commemorate their histories and cultures was what focused her to commit to her training.

Erin said he received overwhelming support in her training and fundraising with Team Red Cross.

“With the race being on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, people were very supportive and helped me reach my fundraising goal,” said Erin.

Erin’s first exposure to the Red Cross mission came during high school where local blood drives were held. At the time she was considering a career in health care and saw how maintaining a stable blood supply was important to local communities.

For more than 10 years, Team Red Cross has helped support the mission of the American Red Cross in Massachusetts by fielding a team of motivated individuals to run for a cause. This year’s team raised more than $260,000 to support our mission to relieve suffering in the wake of disasters across the United States.