Earlier this month, members of the Nilges Draher staff donated blood as part of our Community Outreach Initiative. In addition, Nilges Draher will be donating $1 for every new like on our Facebook page during the month of August. The American Red Cross does more than blood donations, however. They also help with disaster relief and military families, provide international services and various trainings and certifications.
Disaster Relief
The American Red Cross provides many services during natural and other disasters. They provide overnight shelters, emergency supplies, health and mental health contacts, meals and snacks, volunteers and employees to help where necessary, and emergency response vehicles. The American Red Cross launched a campaign in 2014 aimed at the prevention of house fires. Since its inception, they have installed over 1.4 million smoke alarms in over 590,000 households.
Blood Donations
“Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.” One blood donation can save up to 3 lives. You can find out more about blood donations through the Red Cross by clicking here.
International Services
Red Cross has over 17 million volunteers in nearly 200 countries. They deliver aid during emergencies such as earthquakes and droughts, but did you know they provide vaccines and help prepare neighborhoods for future disasters? The Red Cross has provided over 2 billion measles and rubella vaccines since 2001.
Military Families
The Red Cross offers support services to active military and veteran families. Volunteers provide home comforts and critical services on bases and in military hospitals around the world. The Red Cross offers courses including coping with deployment, pre-deployment preparedness and reconnection workshops.
Training and Certifications
In addition to all of the services they provide, the American Red Cross also offers training and certification classes in the following areas: first aid, CPR, AED, babysitting and caregiving, swimming, CNA (certified nursing assistant), and BLS (basic life support).
It is clear that the Red Cross is a good source of information and services. They also have a blog with a wide range of topics from tailgating and back-to-school safety tips to blood donation and disaster relief. For more information about the Red Cross, check out their website here.