Tennessee River American Red Cross Chapter Names Executive Director

Lori Ann Tinajero

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 30, 2022 - The Tennessee Region of the American Red Cross is pleased to announce that Lori Ann Tinajero has been named as the Tennessee River Chapter Executive Director. The chapter serves Dickson, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, Maury, Montgomery, Perry, Stewart and Wayne counties in Tennessee. In addition to these counties, the Tennessee River chapter also includes Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Tinajero’s career has been based on service to others. “Red Cross serves so many individuals in our society who find themselves in the middle of a disaster, preventing a disaster, or helping others during a disaster,” she said. “The Red Cross makes a huge difference in the lives of individuals and communities. It’s an honor to be a part of this mission.”

“Lori Ann brings a wealth of diverse knowledge to her new position,” said Joel Sullivan, regional executive director for the American Red Cross Tennessee Region. “She has experience in teaching, leadership, sales and has authored a book. I am impressed with her enthusiasm, as she has already off to a fast start working with community leaders to build relationships in the chapter footprint.” 

Prior to coming to the Red Cross, Tinajero worked for the United States Air Force Auxiliary as a Squadron Commander. “I am proud of the work I have done that has prepared me to reach out to the community, create alliances among our volunteers, and keep service at the forefront in implementing our goal in the Tennessee River Chapter,” she added.

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/Tennessee  or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossTN. The American Red Cross Tennessee Region serves all 95 counties in Tennessee, Crittenden County in Arkansas and Desoto and Tunica counties in Mississippi. The Tennessee Region – part of a nationwide network of locally supported chapters - is comprised of the following eight Red Cross chapters: East Tennessee, Heart of Tennessee, Mid-South, Mid-West Tennessee, Nashville Area, Southeast Tennessee, Northeast Tennessee and Tennessee River.

Red Cross Urges Tennessee Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather

Red Cross Volunteers are Ready to Respond to Help Affected Communities

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 28, 2022 — With the possibility of severe weather, including the enhanced risk of tornadoes from Tuesday into Wednesday across southern and middle Tennessee, the American Red Cross urges all Tennesseans in the path of this line of storms to prepare now. Stay weather aware and listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for emergency updates.

Red Cross disaster workers are on standby to help neighbors in need affected by the storms.

Review the tips below for ways to keep you and your loved ones safe.

THUNDERSTORM SAFETY

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be in danger from lightning. If thunder roars, go indoors! The National Weather Service recommends staying inside for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.

• If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, take shelter in a substantial building or in a vehicle with the windows closed. Get out of mobile homes that can blow over in high winds.

• Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are likely to occur. Many people struck by lightning are not in the area where rain is occurring.

• Avoid electrical equipment and telephones. Use battery-powered TVs and radios instead.

• Shutter windows and close outside doors securely. Keep away from windows.

• Do not take a bath, shower or use plumbing.

• If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.

• If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, avoid high ground; water; tall, isolated trees; and metal objects such as fences or bleachers. Picnic shelters, dugouts and sheds are NOT safe.

• Never drive through a flooded roadway. You cannot predict how deep the water may be.

• Stay away from storm-damaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of severe thunderstorms.

• Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or to local radio and television stations for updated information or instructions, as access to roads or some parts of the community may be blocked.

• Help people who may need special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled.

• Stay away from downed power lines and report them immediately.

TORNADO SAFETY

• Find a safe place in your home where household members and pets will gather during a tornado: a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.

• In a high-rise building, pick a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor.

• In a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place. No mobile home is safe in a tornado.

• If you are under a tornado warning, find safe shelter right away.

• Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.

• Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.

• Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.

• Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

RED CROSS EMERGENCY APP

Download the free bilingual Red Cross Emergency App to access expert advice on how to prepare and respond to severe weather and features real-time local alerts for severe weather and hazards and includes a map with local Red Cross shelters. Text GETEMERGENCY to 90999 or search “Red Cross Emergency” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

For more information about how to prepare for, respond to and recover from severe weather, visit redcross.org/storms.

American Red Cross Donation Center Opens in Brentwood to Welcome Platelet and Blood Donors

Red Cross donation center to open on Dec. 1, 2022

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., Nov. 17, 2022 — Red Cross platelet donors now have opportunities to give blood and platelets at a new donation center in Brentwood on Dec. 1, 2022. The new location at 91 Seaboard Lane, Suite 104, is scheduled to open for eligible platelet and whole blood donors before the holiday season.

Platelets are tiny blood cells that help your body form clots to stop bleeding. Cancer patients, those receiving organ or bone marrow transplants, victims of traumatic injuries, and patients undergoing open heart surgery require platelet transfusions to survive. Whole blood and Power Red donations will also be received at the site. Opportunities to donate whole blood are also available at local blood drives and at two Red Cross sites in Nashville and Murfreesboro. To make an appointment, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org. 

“On behalf of the hospitals and patients we serve in the Tennessee Region and our wonderful volunteers, donors and staff of the American Red Cross, I want to welcome all blood donors to this wonderful new center,” said Joel Sullivan, regional executive officer for the Tennessee Region Red Cross. “Platelet donations provide opportunities for the community to engage in our lifesaving and humanitarian missions. This state-of-the-art facility is another chance for us to continue strengthening our commitment to provide the blood products needed to keep our communities healthy.”  

Red Cross serves many of the hospitals throughout Tennessee and is the only blood services provider that also offers health and safety training, serves as a vital communication link between military personnel and their families, teaches disaster preparedness, and provides relief to victims of disasters. To join our lifesaving mission by hosting a blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org to get started. 

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. 

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, visit https://www.redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

Tips To Travel Safely This Thanksgiving Holiday

Millions of people are expected to travel over the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, and the American Red Cross is offering tips travelers can follow as they visit loved ones over the long weekend.

More vehicles will be on the roads, making the travel risks greater. Bad weather and distracted drivers add to the danger. Plan ahead and expect delays.

DRIVING SAFETY

1. Make sure your car is in good condition for a road trip.

2. Pack an emergency preparedness kit and supplies in the trunk.

3. Share travel plans with a family member or friend.

4. Check the weather along your route and plan for travel around any storms that may be coming.

5. Be well rested and alert.

6. Buckle up, slow down, and don’t drive impaired.

7. Follow the rules of the road and use caution in work zones.

8. Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.

9. Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and get some rest.

10. If you have car trouble, pull of the road as far as possible.

Southeast Tennessee Red Cross: Disaster Action Team (DAT) Auxiliary Team Members Needed

Volunteer to Help Your Neighbors After a Disaster

Most of the 60,000 emergencies that the Red Cross responds to each year are local, personal
disasters like home fires. Trained and available, Disaster Action Team volunteers are ready to
respond to these emergencies, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. From offering a shoulder to cry
on, to meeting any immediate needs for shelter or supplies, to connecting people with long term
recovery services, our volunteers ensure that families don’t have to face tough times alone.

We are holding an expedited Disaster Action Team Auxiliary Team Member training session. As
an auxiliary volunteer, you can accompany a trained Disaster Action Team Member to the scene
of a disaster.

Join us for a training:

Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
American Red Cross of Southeast Tennessee
4115 S. Access Road, Chattanooga, TN 37406

For more information, contact Idaline Diaz at 423-240-8981 or Idaline.Diaz@redcross.org.

Miss America 2022 Encourages All Americans To Donate Blood During the Holiday Season

 Emma Broyles encourages blood donation by Americans during time of great need

NASHVILLE, TN., Oct. 31, 2022 — The American Red Cross Tennessee Region hosted a very special blood donor today in Nashville. Miss America 2022, Emma Broyles, rolled up her sleeve and donated blood as she encourages other Americans to donate blood at their local American Red Cross blood drives and donation centers nationwide. Broyles was crowned earlier this year during the 100th anniversary of Miss America and is the first Korean American and Alaskan to earn the job since 1921. 

“We are honored to have Ms. Broyles visit our donation center,” said Joel Sullivan, regional executive director for the American Red Cross. “We are seeing a significant decline in donations as we go into the holiday season in Tennessee, and we are asking all that can to please make your appointments now during this season to donate life-saving blood. It will take all of us, including our young donors, to donate blood to help patients nationwide.”

The effects of Hurricane Ian continue to be felt in the Southeast and along the East Coast, the American Red Cross urges donors of all blood types – especially type O donors − to give blood or platelets now to stop potential disruptions to patient care. Thousands of blood drives were canceled due to the storm, and patient needs have not declined.

“As a pre-med student, I know how important blood donation is for patients in this country,” Broyles added. “I am here to encourage other young women and all Americans to please give blood during this time of need. Every blood type is needed, and it takes just minutes of your time, and you will give the gift of life and potentially save several lives.”

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

About the Miss America Organization:

The Miss America Organization awards over five million in cash scholarships each year to young women across America. Emma earned $100,000 on Dec.16, 2021 when she was crowned at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Connecticut. The organization prides themselves on community service and scholarship, and Ms. Broyles is a reflection of that mission. Currently pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences and Voice Performance at Arizona State University, she is a National Ambassador for Special Olympics and an advocate for sports access for those with all abilities. Follow Emma at @emmabroyles_ and @MissAmerica.

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/Tennessee or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossTN. The American Red Cross Tennessee Region serves all 95 counties in Tennessee, Crittenden County in Arkansas and Desoto and Tunica counties in Mississippi. The Tennessee Region – part of a nationwide network of locally supported chapters - is comprised of the following eight Red Cross chapters: East Tennessee, Heart of Tennessee, Mid-South, Mid-West Tennessee, Nashville Area, Southeast Tennessee, Northeast Tennessee, and Tennessee River.