SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA —September 30, 2022 — Hundreds of trained American Red Cross disaster workers are helping 24-7 across several states to support people facing the massive destruction left behind by Hurricane Ian. Sixteen volunteers from the Red Cross Southern California Region have deployed to Florida, and many others are preparing to deploy more volunteers as the response continues.
“People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Sean Mahoney, Regional CEO, American Red Cross Southern California Region. “They need your help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters, giving blood or becoming a Red Cross volunteer today.”
The Red Cross and our partners are responding in areas impacted by Ian, providing food, shelter and comfort. Communities are under water, homes have been swept from their foundations and many have lost everything. Shelters are open in Florida, South Carolina and Georgia for those who need a safe place to stay. Thursday night, at least 10,000 people sought refuge in as many as 100 Red Cross and partner shelters across the three states.
Hurricane Ian’s projected path through Georgia and the Carolinas is threatening to cancel more than 130 Red Cross blood drives this weekend, possibly causing more than 2,700 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected. Additional blood drive cancellations are expected in the Southeast over the coming week and fewer donors are likely to come out to donate at drives in and around affected areas due to poor weather conditions.
Individuals in unaffected areas—especially those with type O blood types-- are urged to give blood now to help ensure patients in impacted areas continue to have access to lifesaving blood.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
MAKE A DONATION: We will be working side-by-side with our partners to help people in need for weeks and months to come. To help people affected by Hurricane Ian, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift is a commitment to helping people in need, and every single donation matters. Financial donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.
GIVE BLOOD: Please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
VOLUNTEER: If you have the time, you can make a significant impact as a Red Cross volunteer. Review our most urgently needed volunteer positions at redcross.org/volunteertoday and get involved today.
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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