Volunteer disaster responders with the American Red Cross of Chicago and Northern Illinois responded to 23 fires from May 25 to today, including incidents in Harvey, Park Forest, Rockford and a fire in a multi-unit apartment building in Sterling, Illinois that sadly resulted in the loss of three young lives.
In the past week, Red Cross volunteers also responded to fires in Chicago, including an incident in the Lawndale neighborhood that sadly resulted in the loss of life. In addition, volunteers helped 19 residents, including 13 children that were displaced by a fire in two-story building located in the 7200 block of S. Carpenter Street in Chicago.
Since this coronavirus pandemic, our volunteers have been responding virtually to fires whenever possible, providing assistance with temporary housing, health and mental health services and information about recovery services to the families affected by home fires. The American Red Cross helped a total of 55 individuals, including 35 adults and 20 children across the region.
In Chicago and Northern Illinois, the Red Cross responds to 3 to 4 home fires every day. If you need assistance, please call our dispatch Line: 1-877-597 0747. You can take two easy steps to protect your home and loved ones from a fire: get a smoke alarm and create a fire escape plan. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the risk of dying in a home fire in half.
Urgent Need for Blood Donations
The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospital resume non-urgent and elective procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many business and community organizations remain closed.
Blood Drive Safety Measures
It’s important to emphasize that each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
All those who give through June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.
Access blood donation B-Roll here.
National CPR and AED Awareness Week
Today marks the beginning of National CPR and AED Awareness Week and the Red Cross is bringing attention to the importance of initiating CPR and using an AED as a response to cardiac arrest.
More than 350,000 people suffer a cardiac arrest annually and every second counts. If you see someone suddenly collapse, call 9-1-1, send someone for the AED, and begin CPR. Even if you aren’t trained, doing chest compressions (pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest) is better than doing nothing. Register today to get trained in CPR and AED use by visiting RedCross.org/takeaclass.
About the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois:
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois serves 9.5 million people in 21 counties including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Lake, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Putnam, Stephenson, Whiteside, Will and Winnebago. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at redcross.org/IL/chicago or visit us on Twitter @ChicagoRedCross.