Back-to-Back Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused Floridians extreme heartache and stress. Many people affected are looking to the American Red Cross to provide help with health-related needs after the disaster.

Thirty-year Red Cross Disaster Health Service Manager Diane St. Denis stresses that there is a need for health services after destructive storms. “No one else does what health services does,” says St. Denis. “Residents may not have the resources to pay for medical equipment like eyeglasses, dentures or hearing aids and this is what we do, we fill that gap.”

Many affected by the disaster in Florida are struggling to comprehend their new reality. Some have lost everything — their homes, their jobs, their vehicles and their belongings. Retired nurse and Red Cross volunteer Nancy Gerwe understands the situation. “When we get a call about someone affected or with special needs, that’s our priority,” she said. After several deployments over the past three years, she has discovered that the Red Cross is the perfect place to lend her three decades of experience as a registered nurse.

Barbara Freimuth from Bethany Beach, Delaware credits her “nurse gene” for the urge to deploy to the Tampa Bay area with the Red Cross. “We continue to care, we continue to want to help and we continue to know that we can be a valuable asset,” she said. She finds joy in the lives she's touched over multiple deployments, thinking deeply about humanitarian work in times of crisis.

If you would like to make a difference in the lives of others like Red Cross volunteers Diane, Nancy or Barbara, consider putting on a red vest and joining us. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find out how you can support your community.