Red Cross honors community heroes during annual Red Cross Month celebration in March

Celebrate by donating on Red Cross Giving Day, March 23; giving blood; or volunteering

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 28, 2022) - In March, the American Red Cross Tennessee Region is honoring the people who make its mission possible every day during its annual Red Cross Month celebration — a national tradition started nearly 80 years ago when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first national Red Cross Month proclamation recognizing those who give back through the American Red Cross. Each U.S. president has issued a proclamation ever since. 

“When emergencies strike, our community rallies together to help families and individuals when it matters most,” said Joel Sullivan, Regional Executive Director for the Red Cross. “We honor this dedication during our Red Cross Month celebration, and we invite everyone to turn their compassion into action by donating, volunteering, giving blood or taking a lifesaving skills course.” 

Join Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org to make a financial donation, give blood, become a volunteer or take a class in lifesaving skills, such as first aid and CPR. On March 23, you can also join our annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign by donating at redcross.org/givingday to help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters big and small. 

HELP CAN’T WAIT DURING EMERGENCIES

During the past year, your Red Cross has responded to several tornadoes in the Tennessee Region, answered the call when flooding struck several counties in Tennessee in August, and were there to provide comfort and assistance to thousands of citizens following home fires throughout the state. The help did not end there. Our volunteers deployed to help in states across the country when called upon. Even during a global pandemic, the American Red Cross shows up when called. 

The Red Cross blood supply remains incredibly vulnerable — especially as doctors begin to resume elective surgeries previously delayed by omicron. It’s critical that individuals schedule a blood or platelet donation immediately to help ensure patients get the care they need as soon as possible. To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

As a thank-you, all those who come to give March 1-31 will receive a $10 e-gift card, thanks to Fanatics. Plus, those who come to donate in March will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2022 MLB® All-Star Game® in Los Angeles, California.* 

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.

 

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 *Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/team for details.

Respite Centers

Feb. 5, 2022

City of Memphis, Office of Emergency Management, Shelby County Emergency Management and Homeland Security are joining with the American Red Cross and faith-based partners to open Respite Centers due to the extreme cold and extended power outages. 

Respite Centers are open in areas affected by power outages in mid-west and mid-south Tennessee to provide hospitality, a place to get warm, charge your phone or other devices, information and snacks.   

Centers will be open Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm.   

Dave Wells Community 

915 Chelsea Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38107 

 

Orange Mound Community Center 

2572 Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38114 

 

Bellevue Baptist Church 

2000 Appling Rd, Cordova, TN 38016 

 

Brown Baptist Church

980 Stateline Road East, Southaven MS

 

Warming Center 24 hours
3910 Ridgeway Rd, Memphis, TN 38115

 Dresden Shelter - Weakley County
Weakley County Adult Learning Center
8250 Highway 22. Dresden, TN 38225

American Red Cross and MEDIC Team Up for Blood Donation Drives

 

Organizations partner in first competition to celebrate the Lady Vols versus the Vanderbilt Commodores to encourage donation during blood shortage

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 4, 2022 – The American Red Cross will compete with MEDIC to host a friendly competition on Feb. 7 to Feb. 10 in the first “Dunk for Donations” blood drive event to celebrate the Lady Vols and Vanderbilt Commodores basketball game. The organization that collects the most amount of red blood donations will be declared the winner of the competition following the drives.

 

“For the past seven months we have seen the blood crisis grow across the United States and here in Tennessee,” said Clif Redish, Interim Regional Donor Services Executive for American Red Cross. “We encourage all who can donate to join forces with both organizations and help us combat this great need for blood. People’s lives depend on donors who take the time to give such a great gift of life. We are looking forward to this competition and to the Vanderbilt University and University of Tennessee women’s basketball game on Feb. 13 in Knoxville.”

 

Historically low blood supply levels not seen in more than a decade persist for the American Red Cross, which supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood. The ongoing decline comes at a time of year when donations typically fall.

 

The American Red Cross continues to face its first-ever national blood crisis and winter weather across the country has further complicated efforts to rebuild the blood supply. Donors of all blood types are urged to make an appointment now to give during the competition and in the weeks ahead. All who come to give blood Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, thanks to Amazon, a free coffee coupon from Dunkin’ and a limited edition “Dunk for Donations” t-shirt (T-shirt is only for Feb. 7-11 donors). (Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/together.) 

 

Blood drive safety  

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.  

  

Save time during donation  

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 also must meet certain height and weight requirements. 

 

Health insights for donors  

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.     

 

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.   

Be Winter Ready with these Safety Tips from the American Red Cross Tennessee Region

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 2, 2022 - Winter Storm Landon could bring potentially dangerous ice to millions from Texas to New England, with an expected significant impact from Memphis, Tennessee to Paducah, Kentucky. As much as a quarter inch of ice is expected and this can cause serious safety issues. Freezing rain is particularly dangerous. The storm moves into Tennessee early Thursday morning until late on Friday night. 

The American Red Cross of the Tennessee Region offers several safety tips to help you prepare and deal with the latest winter blast.

 

Protecting your family while traveling:

• Talk with your family about what to do if a winter storm watch or warning is issued. Discussing winter storms ahead of time helps reduce fear, particularly for young children.
• Stay off the roads unless you must travel.
• Have your vehicle winterized before the winter storm season to decrease your chance of being stranded in cold weather.
• Have a mechanic check your battery, antifreeze, wipers and windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster, and oil.
• Install good winter tires with adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate but some jurisdictions require vehicles to be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
• Keep in your vehicle:
• - A windshield scraper and small broom
• - A small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels and a set of tire chains or traction mats
• - Matches in a waterproof container
• - A brightly colored (preferably red) cloth to tie to the antenna
• - An emergency supply kit, including warm clothing.
• - Keep your vehicle’s gas tank full so you can leave right away in an emergency and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Keep a supply of non-clumping kitty litter to make walkways and steps less slippery.
• Service snow removal equipment before the winter storm season and maintain it in good working order.
• Keep handy a warm coat, gloves or mittens, hat, water-resistant boots, and extra blankets and warm clothing for each member of the household.

Wind chill: Avoid staying outdoors for long and wear layers of clothing to stay war. This includes mittens or gloves as extremities can get frost bite easily. Make sure to wear waterproof insulated boots and keep feet dry. Get out of the cold if signs for hypothermia or frostbite appear.

 

Shoveling: Take caution when shoveling in temperatures that are in the teens. Take frequent breaks and be careful not to overexert yourself.

 

Stay hydrated: Be sure to keep hydrated, especially with warm drinks while avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

 

Check-Ins: Be sure to check on elderly, disabled or homebound neighbors and family.

 

Pets: Do not leave your furry friends outdoors! Family pets need to be brought in the home during these frigid temperatures. If that is not possible, be sure to provide them with warm shelter that keeps the cold air and wet conditions out.

 

Protect your pipes: Prevent frozen pipes in the home by opening cabinet doors and keeping a slow cold-water drip from faucets.

 

Power Outage and Medical Needs: If a person uses an electronic medically dependent device, make sure they have plans in place in the case of a power outage.

 

Generators: Never operate a generator indoors. This will cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Follow the manufactures directions for safe setup for your generator.

 

Heating: Do not use ovens or stoves to heat a home. Always keep fireplaces covered with screens and never leave them unattended.

 

Space heaters: Use these heaters only on level and non-flammable surfaces. Do not place them on carpet, or near bedding or drapes. Keep pets and children away from any heat source. Do not dry clothes on space heaters. Do not plug them into extension cords, only directly into outlets. Never leave the room or go to sleep with a space heater on.

 

For more winter weather safety steps, you can download the Red Cross Emergency App for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps.