Volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team responded to three home fires in Granville, Normal and Savoy from July 13 through today.

In this past week, volunteers helped 12 individuals including four adults and eight children with health services, financial assistance and information about recovery planning.

A fire can take a home in as little as two minutes. Therefore, escaping in less than two minutes can be the difference between survival and tragedy. The American Red Cross encourages everyone to talk to their children about fire safety to help families stay safe and prepared. 

HELP KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE Below are some key ways to prepare your family:

• Practice your escape plan: Take time to discuss fire safety with your family. Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm and teach them what to do when they hear it when you practice your escape plan.
• Be friends with firefighters: Teach your children not to be afraid of firefighters. Take them to your local fire department to meet them, see the gear they wear and learn about fire safety and prevention.
• Avoid matches: Teach your children to tell you or a responsible adult when they find matches or lighters at home or school. Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of reach of children.
• Test smoke alarms: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. Test them monthly and replace alarm batteries as needed.

For free home fire safety resources, including an escape plan, visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in app stores or go to redcross.org/apps). Children can also learn what to do during a home fire and other emergencies with free resources at redcross.org/YouthPrep.

If you need assistance after a home fire or disaster, please call our dispatch line: 1-844-319-6560.

Blood Shortage

While summer is traditionally a time when blood donations decline, this year is particularly challenging as many Americans resume summer activities after more than a year of limited interactions and travel, leading to lower donor turnout.

Across the United States there continues to be a severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability for patients at hospitals. Donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to make an appointment to give now. Blood transfusions are one of the most common hospital procedures in the U.S. – used to help treat kids battling cancer, accident victims being rushed to emergency rooms, individuals experiencing extreme sickle cell disease pain, and people with complicated childbirths.

In thanks for helping meet patient needs at a challenging time of year, all who come to give July 7-31 will receive automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value) and a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Additional information and details are available at rcblood.org/fuel. Those who come to give throughout the month of July will also be automatically entered to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm. More details are available at rcblood.org/CedarFair. 

Beach Bash Summer Blood Drive

Friday, July 30 from 8am- 6pm at the Lodgic Everyday Community, 1807 S. Neil Street Champaign, Illinois 61820

Thank you to our partners and media sponsors: The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and Fox Illinois/News Channel 20. To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App enter code BEACH BASH or go to RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Pontiac Township Senior Community Blood Drive

Wednesday, July 28th 11:00 a.m. - 5 p.m., 601 N. Ladd Street Pontiac, IL  61764 

About blood donation

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements. 

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

Health insights for donors – Sickle Cell Trait Testing

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.     

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.