The Red Cross Has Cold Weather Safety Reminders.
Portland, OR (11/30/2023) – A winter storm warning is in place in many parts of Oregon and SW Washington Friday morning through Sunday. That means the mountains are expected to see heavy snow and the valleys will see heavy rainfall. Wind gusts could be as high as 55mph. The Red Cross has some tips to weather the storm, whether you are staying home or if you have plans to travel over the passes.
Outside Your Home
- Allow enough time to get where you are going.
- Keep a snow shovel, ice scraper, blanket, warm clothes, and other emergency supplies in your car.
- Minimize travel because traffic lights may be out, and the roads may be icy and dangerous. Don’t drive through large puddles or flooded areas.
- Watch for fallen trees and powerlines and stay clear of them until help can arrive.
- Make sure everyone has their seat belts on and give your full attention to the road.
- Do not follow other vehicles too closely. Sudden stops are difficult on snowy roadways.
- Do not use cruise control when driving in winter weather.
- Do not pass snowplows.
- Ramps, bridges, and overpasses freeze before roadways.
- Always stay connected with loved ones and neighbors to make sure they know where you are and that you are safe.
Inside Your Home:
- Plan to stay warm. Make sure you can safely heat your home. Dress in layers. Check insulation, caulking and weather stripping. Learn how to keep your pipes from freezing.
- Learn emergency skills. First aid and CPR skills are important to learn. Have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to keep your home safe. Keep generators outside, keep 3 feet of clearing around space heaters, and make sure your gas fireplace or other heating sources are working properly. Recognize the warnings of carbon monoxide poisoning. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, go outside and call 9-1-1.
- Stay connected through local media channels. Have a battery-operated radio. Download the Red Cross Emergency App to stay informed.
Redcross.org/apps - Gather emergency supplies. Have fresh water (one gallon per day per person), non-perishable foods, and medications on hand. Ideally, you should have a 2-week supply.
- If you lose power, have a working flashlight available. Unplug appliances and turn off lights so you do not get a surge when the power returns. Keep the doors to the refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to keep the cold inside and your food supply safe.
Why It's Important to Prepare
Extreme weather disasters are becoming more frequent in the United States. In 2023 alone, we have seen 25 billion-dollar disasters, forcing people to flee their homes because of storms, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires. These back-to-back disasters have also forced the cancellation of blood drives, straining our nation’s blood supply.
“Preparing for disasters before they happen can help us recover more quickly from them and more importantly, it can save lives,” says Red Cross Cascades CEO Priscilla Fuentes.
DOWNLOAD APPS
People can download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to weather alerts for their area and where loved ones live. Expert medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the First Aid App in case travelers encounter any mishaps. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit @redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Donate on Giving Tuesday or give blood during the holidays to help for future crises
Portland, OR (NOVEMBER 21, 2023) — In 2023, extreme disasters took a devastating toll on people in the U.S. who turned to the American Red Cross for help coping with a record number of billion-dollar disasters.
So far this year, an all-time high of 25 billion-dollar disasters ravaged communities across the country and in the Cascades Region, wildfires resulted in nearly 400 overnight shelter stays in 2023. Back-to-back disasters led to a series of blood drive cancellations, which further strained the national Red Cross blood supply that was already dwindling from summer travel and back-to-school activities.
“Growing extreme disasters are causing more humanitarian needs for families in the Pacific Northwest and across the country,” explained Priscilla Fuentes, CEO, Red Cross Cascades. “This holiday season, please remember those who need support in the face of emergencies — and join us to provide care and comfort by making a financial donation or by giving blood or platelets.”
Help on Giving Tuesday and during the holidays by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. Individuals can also register for volunteer opportunities in their area.
INCREASING SUPPORT AMID EXTREME DISASTERS With the growing frequency and intensity of climate-driven disasters, the Red Cross is racing to adapt its services and grow its disaster response capacity across the country. As part of this national work in 2023, the Red Cross distributed $108 million in financial assistance directly to people after disasters of all sizes, including for wildfire recovery in the Cascades Region.
Across the country, the Red Cross is delivering this vital financial assistance on top of its immediate relief efforts — including safe shelter, nutritious meals and emotional support — which have been provided on a near-constant basis for this year’s relentless extreme disasters. In fact, this year’s onslaught of large disasters drove an increase in emergency lodging provided by the Red Cross with partners — with overnight stays up more than 50% compared to the annual average for the previous five years.
In the Cascades Region we opened four times as many evacuation shelters in June than previous years because of a wildfire season that burned more than 250,000 acres across Oregon and SW Washington. Altogether, nearly 200 of our local volunteers responded to disasters in 2023, including more than 770 in the Cascades Region.
RESPONDING TO ADDITIONAL EMERGING NEEDS Beyond extreme disasters, people stepped up through the Red Cross to address other emerging needs for communities, including:
- BLOOD DONATIONS: As the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross is grateful for the millions of donors who rolled up a sleeve throughout the year and helped us meet the needs of patients in the Cascades Region in 2023. To further improve people’s health outcomes, the Red Cross has been working with community partners to introduce blood donation to a new and more diverse generation of blood donors — which is critical to ensuring that a reliable blood supply is available to the 1 in 7 hospital patients who need a lifesaving blood transfusion. The holidays can be a challenging time to collect enough blood for those in need. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS. As a thank-you, all who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Dec. 1-17 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Terms apply. See rcblood.org/Amazon.
- LIFESAVING TRAINING: This year, the Cascades Region has trained more than 57,000 people in lifesaving-skills while, nationally, the Red Cross expanded its training to empower people to act during current-day crises — which is vital considering that nearly half of U.S. adults report being unprepared to respond to a medical emergency. This included launching the new “Until Help Arrives” online training course last spring for opioid overdoses, severe bleeding, cardiac arrest and choking emergencies, and partnering with professional sports leagues through the Smart Heart Sports Coalition to help prevent tragedies among student athletes by offering CPR training and increasing access to AEDs.
- MILITARY FAMILIES: Red Cross workers helped service members on U.S. military installations and deployment sites worldwide — including in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. As part of our support this year, Red Cross volunteers delivered emergency communications messages connecting more than 87,000 service members with their loved ones during times of family need, while also engaging members in morale and wellness activities during deployments.
Visit www.redcross.org/CascadesGiving for more information about how the Red Cross Cascades Region helped people in 2023.
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 and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; 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.
# # #
Double Your Impact in November!
Salem, OR (November 17, 2023) In this season of giving, the American Red Cross in Salem is partnering with Marion Polk Food Share to launch the first of what we hope will be many joint food and blood drives. We’ll be working together to give back to the community in a truly life changing way.
What you can do from now until November 27:
- Donate nonperishable food items at our Red Cross office and blood donation center at 1860 Hawthorne Ave NE in Salem, just north of I-5 and Market Street.
- Make a blood donation appointment at the same location: https://rcblood.org/45VSjzR.
"Our humanitarian missions and dedicated volunteers are working together to provide for people in need in our communities," explained Stephen Grady with the Salem Red Cross. "We look forward to seeing the positive impact in our community now and in the future.”
Each blood donation we collect can help save more than one life. Every 2 seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and the need for blood does not slow down during the holidays.
Food donations stay right here in our community to help feed kids, families, and seniors who must choose between food and other life necessities. Just last year Marion Polk Food Share provided more than 8 million meals in the community and provided more than 800 meals each day for seniors and disabled adults.
Help make an impact and add saving lives to your list of great accomplishments. This is an opportunity to maximize your giving during this season. To learn more about this partnership and to make a blood donation appointment visit https://rcblood.org/45VSjzR.
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 and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; 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.
###
Exclusive “Elf” + Red Cross socks for donors Nov. 10-30
Portland, OR (Nov. 10, 2023) — For many, watching the classic holiday movie “Elf” has been a heartwarming tradition for 20 years. This November, the American Red Cross is encouraging people to add a new tradition as the holiday season begins: Spread cheer with a blood or platelet donation.
Donations are critical to the blood supply as the holiday season draws near – a time when blood donations often decline. Donors of all blood types are urged to give, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets.
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the film “Elf,” and create holiday cheer, all who come to give Nov. 10-30 will receive an exclusive pair of “Elf” + Red Cross socks, while supplies last. For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Elf.
It feels good to give a gift to someone else that truly means something. Those wishing to help patients receive lifesaving transfusions can book a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 14-30:
November 14
The Grotto, 8840 NE Skidmore St., Portland, OR, 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
St Charles Medical Center, 2500 NE Neff Rd., Bend, OR, 10:00AM-4:00PM
November 15
Cabela's, 2800 Gateway St., Springfield, OR, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
November 16
Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Ave., Portland, OR, 9:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Blood Donation Center, 5109 NE 82nd Ave., Vancouver, WA, 7:00 AM - 03:00 PM
November 17
Pleasant Hill High School, 84455 N Enterprise Rd., Pleasant Hill, OR, 8:15 AM - 01:15 PM
November 18
Kingpins PDX, 3550 SE 92nd Ave., Portland, OR, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
November 20
Elks Lodge 1189, 610 McLoughlin Blvd., Oregon City, OR, 12:00 PM - 5:30 PM
November 21
Vancouver Apostolic Lutheran Church, 2103 NE 68th St.,Vancouver, WA, 12:00 PM -5:00 PM
Springfield Elks, 1701 Centennial Blvd., Springfield, OR, 9:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Bend Blood Donation Center, 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110, Bend, OR, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
November 22
East Side Athletic Club Milwaukie, 4606 SE Boardman Ave., Milwaukie, OR, 1:00 PM - 06:00 PM
November 24
Smile Station, 8210 SE 13th Ave., Portland, OR, 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Ave., Portland, OR, 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
November 27
Baja Fresh, 17805 SW 65th Ave., Lake Oswego, OR, 11:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N Vancouver Ave., Portland, OR, 1:30 PM - 7:30 PM
November 28
Fred Meyer, Inc, 3500 SE 22nd Ave., Portland, OR, 8:00 AM - 01:30 PM
Moreland Presbyterian Church, 1814 SE Bybee Blvd., Portland, OR, 1:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Medford Blood Donation Ctr., 1174 Progress Drive Suite 102, Medford, OR, 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
November 30
Pearl West, 1455 NW Irving St., Portland, OR, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Bend Blood Donation Ctr., 815 SW Bond Street Suite 110, Bend, OR, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Rogue Credit Union, 1370 Center Dr., Medford, OR, 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
How to donate blood
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger must also meet certain height and weight requirements.
Amplify your impact − volunteer!
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.
Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, contact or visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.
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 and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; 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.
“Elf” and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc.
# # #
Veterans continue to answer the call to serve by volunteering in their local communities.
Portland, OR (October 6, 2023) — This Veterans Day, November 11, 2023, the American Red Cross is recognizing veterans who continue their service in local communities across the country.
For more than 140 years, the American Red Cross has served military members, veterans and their families. Throughout the many decades, veterans have stepped up to support their communities after their active-duty service ends by volunteering with the Red Cross. From the front lines of disaster recovery to service in the Veterans Administration (VA) and military hospitals across the nation and around the world, their impact is integral to the Red Cross mission.
"The Red Cross is a lot like serving in the military," says Tom Murotake, a veteran who served 10 years in the US Army and 25 years in the Army National Guard, and has been a dedicated Red Cross Cascades volunteer for 6 years. Tom says he likes deploying to disasters with the Red Cross, “It's almost like being in the military. I get a task, I do the task, and then we are done, except this time I am doing it for people who smile at me a lot.”
Much like Clara Barton, when Tom sees suffering, he’s moved to act. When recalling one of his most touching moments as a disaster response volunteer, he shares, "There is no greater feeling than to be at a home fire, and giving a small child a stuffed animal, that will be the first toy they have that doesn’t smell like smoke."
As disasters roil communities across the country, veterans like Tom are donning the Red Cross vest and lending a hand to those in need in their local communities. At military bases and in local neighborhoods, veterans are rolling up their sleeves to donate blood and help give the critical gift of life. Whether teaching lifesaving skills or giving back to their own by volunteering to assist fellow veterans, they are making an impact through the teamwork and dedication that served them well during military service.
THE HEART OF OUR WORKFORCE
Over 20,000 Red Cross volunteers are veterans, including 100+ here in the Cascades Region. Veterans hold many positions at the Red Cross, from nurses to logisticians, emergency management experts, project managers and preparedness experts, as well as a number of veterans in leadership roles at local Red Cross chapters across the country.
GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME
Join the Hero Care Network as a volunteer caseworker and help provide the critical link for military members, veterans and their families during emergency situations. To learn more about how you can give back to your community this Veterans Day, visit www.redcross.org/HeroCareVolunteer.
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 and is the primary blood supplier to 65 hospitals throughout Washington and Oregon; 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.
# # #