When Eva Nesmith needed surgery while her husband Al, a Merchant Marine, was deployed on a U.S. Naval Ship, she contacted the Red Cross Hero Care Network for assistance. Click the image to watch their video story.
For more than 135 years, the American Red Cross has been there in times of emergency to serve as the connection between military members in the field and their families back home.
A Central Florida family turned to the Red Cross earlier this year when the unexpected happened. While Merchant Marine Al Nesmith was deployed on a naval ship overseas, his wife Eva received critical news -- she needed to have major surgery. At Al's urging, Eva contacted the Red Cross Hero Care Network for help getting him home.
While Eva prepared for surgery, the Red Cross verified the information needed to grant emergency leave. "It's amazing that we have the Red Cross to do something like that," Eva said.
Al was able to be by his wife's side in the hospital thanks to theHero Care Network. "It puts my mind at ease knowing that no matter what happens, all she has to do is pick up the phone andcontact the Red Cross," he said.
The American Red Cross Hero Care Network is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Families with military members currently serving on active duty can initiate a request for emergency assistance by using the online self-service tool redcross.org/HeroCareNetwork, by phone at 1-877-272-7337 or on the Hero Care App (download free from your smartphone app store or text "GETHEROCARE" to 90999.
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