By Ashley Henyan

If you follow the American Red Cross in the news or on social media, you are probably aware of the constant need for blood. This is especially the case right now - because it’s disaster season. With severe weather, dangerous wildfires and treacherous hurricanes comes road closures, power outages and ultimately, cancelled blood drives. That is why it is so important those eligible to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life do so—and do so often. Regular blood donation is the only way to help keep the blood supply, nationwide, at a safe level. But at the Red Cross, preparing for disaster season is more involve than encouraging healthy blood donors to give blood. A trained and available workforce – comprised of mostly volunteers – is also essential for Red Cross teams to provide shelter, food, and health and mental health support following a large-scale emergency. Vic Parker, of Wilmington DE, is one of those volunteers standing ready to help.

Vic’s work as a volunteer with the Red Cross of the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake Region spans more than ten years—and this year she was ‘unmasked’ as a Hidden Hero by the State of Delaware for her unwavering compassion. She’s responded to help with Red Cross relief efforts after Hurricane Barry, the Kentucky Floods and Hurricane Laura – just to name a few. But in 2017, Vic was the Shelter Manager for the George R. Brown Convention Center shelter—which provided safe shelter to more than 10,000 people after Hurricane Harvey. 

“I could never have done that work alone, but my Red Cross supervisors had my back,” Vic said. “That was a blessing!”

For Vic, she continues to deploy because of the people. “There was a man, completely covered in a blanket,” Vic recalled – about her experiences managing a mega-shelter after Hurricane Harvey. “All he wanted to do was call his sister. So, I got out my phone and put it on speaker and dialed the number. It was only after he hung up that I realized the gentleman suffered from paralysis in both of his hands. He truly needed my help to make that phone call!”

Now, Vic’s not only ready to answer the call and deploy again, but she is also encouraging others to train to respond with her. “When you hand a shelter resident a Red Cross blanket, a ray of sunshine just hits you,” Vic said. “There is no better feeling than that. That’s why I help and that’s why you should become a Red Cross volunteer, too!”

Anyone interested in joining the Red Cross as a disaster volunteer should visit RedCross.org/volunteer. Those eligible to donate blood should make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.