Displaying items by tag: red cross

The American Red Cross is facing a nationwide blood shortage as blood drives and donations in general typically dwindle during the winter months, specifically the holiday season. 

The most urgent need is type O, which is the universal donor. According to a recent press release (below), the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of type O.

In an effort to encourage people to donate blood, the Red Cross and the NFL are teaming up to "tackle the critical need," offering a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl 54 in Miami this year. Find out more information below, or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.

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The American Red Cross currently has a critical need for blood donors of all blood types – especially type O – and platelet donors to make an appointment now to give and help replenish the blood supply after the holiday weeks. Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of type O blood. To help tackle the critical need, the Red Cross and NFL are working together to offer one lucky winner a trip to Super Bowl LIV in Miami.

During the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s, about 500 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs. Many groups postpone blood drives during the winter holidays when travel and holiday activities may make it challenging for many donors to give. In fact, AAA estimated that a record 115.6 million Americans traveled during the holiday period of Dec. 21 through Jan. 1.

“Lifesaving medical treatments and emergencies never take a holiday,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Declines in donations can affect patient care. That’s why the Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to make an appointment to give now and help those sidelined by illness and trauma.”

Donors are urged to make an appointment to give now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a special thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets Jan. 1-19, 2020, will automatically be entered for a chance to experience the Super Bowl live. The Red Cross and NFL have teamed up to offer one winner two tickets to Super Bowl LIV, entry to the official NFL Tailgate, tickets to Super Bowl Experience at the Miami Beach Convention Center, roundtrip airfare to Miami, three-night hotel accommodations at The Alexander® - All Suite Oceanfront Resort (Jan. 31 to Feb. 3), and a $500 gift card for expenses.* Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

The deadline to nominate your local hero for the annual Acts of Courage Awards hosted by the American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio is rapidly approaching!

What constitutes a hero? Well, an ordinary person who has done, or continues to do, extraordinary things. 

(Photo Credit: American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio Facebook Page) 

Take for example Eric Peterson of Atwater who was driving to work on the morning of March 27, 2018, just like any other day... until it wasn't. He noticed smoke coming from a house in his neighborhood, just a few houses from his. When Peterson didn't see anyone standing outside, he knew there had to be people inside and that they probably needed help. 

That's when he jumped into action and saved the lives of a family he'd never met prior to that day. 

Hear the interview with Eric Peterson, 2019 recipient of the Acts of Courage Award.  

If there is someone in your life who you feel deserves the title of NEO Hero, then click here to submit their name in the running for the 2020 Acts of Courage Awards on March 5th on March 5th. The deadline to submit is December 31st, so act fast! 

Two women, 2 dogs, 10 cats, and 1 snake all managed to get out safely when the home they were living in on Kennebex Avenue in Akron caught fire Sunday afternoon. According to the report from Akron Fire, the fire was under control around 4 p.m. Sunday. No one was injured. 

Akron Fire investigators haven't determined the cause yet. 

The American Red Cross is assisting the residents. 

There's been no owrd on the extent of the damage at the home. 

More than a dozen people are looking for a place to stay after a fire broke out at a Highland Square apartment building early Wednesday morning.

Akron firefighters found smoke pouring out of the windows at the apartment complex on South Highland Avenue, and saw people climbing out the windows.

Lt. Sirjie Lash with Akron Fire says that a later search found a man inside unresponsive, and firefighters went to work to save him

"And our firefighters actually performed CPR on that patient," Lt. Lash tells WAKR.net, "and at this point in time (late Wednesday afternoon) that patient is still alive."

Two people were taken to hospitals, and two people were treated for minor injuries on the scene.

The Red Cross is working to help the residents find shelter.

The Red Cross is helping an Akron family after a fire broke out in their Copley Road's house.

Akron Fire managed to containt the fire to the basement of the home and had the fire out in about 30 minutes time.

No one was injured in the fire but there are estimates of about $15,000 in damages to the house.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Two adults and five children live at the house.

It's been nearly two weeks since the deadly plane crash into an Akron apartment building, but reality is just now setting in for some of the families affected by the damage left behind.

"When they went to walk into the building to try and get what they can, they're being hit by the image again of what happened," said Pam Williams, a disaster volunteer with the Red Cross.

Nearly a dozen families were affected by the plane crash after a four-unit apartment building was heavily damaged when a small plane crashed, killing all nine people on board. 

While some families lost everything they had, others were able to retrieve some of their belongings.

"So as they drive down the street, as they go back and get things out, it's all raw again," said Williams. "So they're starting to want to talk about that."

Williams said several families have already reached out for help. The Red Cross will continue to offer services for the families, including mental health services for those who are still working to cope with the image of the crash. 

Previous Coverage: 

Medical Examiner IDs All Akron Plane Crash Victims

NTSB: Engines Removed In Akron Plane Crash

Red Cross Assisting Families Affected By Plane Crash

UPDATE No Survivors In Akron Plane Crash

While the investigation continues into the deadly Akron plane crash that took the lives of all nine people on board, the American Red Cross is actively offering their support to the 11 families who were affected by the damage left behind.

"We provided initial assistance to those families. Right now, we're waiting to see what kind of services they need, if any, as follow-up," said Spokesman Jim McIntyre with the American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region.

The local chapter of the Red Cross will also be assisting the families with a recovery plan.

"We'll refer them to whatever appropriate agencies they need. We are also going to assist them with a recovery plan if they need that and we also have mental health services available if those are needed."

At the crash site on Mogadore Road, the Red Cross is also on scene to provide food, water and coffee to first responders and investigators.