DETROIT (Nov. 28, 2022) – 2022 has been a year of crisis for families in Michigan – from extreme climate disasters like the tornado in Gaylord to home fires and the first-ever national American Red Cross blood crisis.
“Whether a crisis is felt by an entire community or a single person, it turns lives upside down – especially for the most vulnerable,” said Mary Lynn Foster, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Michigan Region. “This holiday season, join us to provide help and hope for people in need during future emergencies by making a financial donation or by giving blood.”
On Giving Tuesday, Nov. 29, and during the holidays, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or make an appointment to give blood for patients in Michigan and across the United States. Individuals can also register for Red Cross volunteer opportunities in their area.
RESPONDING TO DISASTERS OF ALL SIZES
This year’s extreme disasters in the U.S. are clear examples of the increasing frequency and intensity of the climate crisis. So far in 2022, 15 billion-dollar disasters have upended lives across the country – more than twice the number of billion-dollar disasters that struck annually two decades ago.
For these and tens of thousands of other disasters across the country including the tornado in Gaylord in May, Red Cross volunteers have worked 24/7 to provide shelter, food and care. Nearly 170 Michigan Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to assist Red Cross relief and response efforts in California, Florida, Kentucky, Puerto Rico, South Carolina and Washington State.
This year alone, Michigan volunteer Robert Smith has been deployed to climate disasters in Kentucky, California and Florida. The first-year volunteer said he joined the Red Cross after seeing a commercial on TV. “It’s an eye-opening experience and a gratifying experience,” he said in September when he was assisting in the relief and response efforts with the wildfires in California. “If you are about helping people, you want to be here.”
Home fires account for a majority of disasters that the Red Cross responds to. Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 50 percent. Since July 1, at no cost, Michigan volunteers have installed more than 1,350 smoke alarms and provided home fire escape plans to homeowners and their families. When a fire occurs a Red Cross Disaster Action Team and trained casework specialists respond to provide assistance, comfort and care. They have responded to more than 669 home fires across the state since July 1. The Red Cross also provides people displaced by a home fire access to Red Cross financial, medical, and spiritual support.
“The Red Cross Michigan Region has been a leader in coordinating volunteer deployments where the need is most,” said Darwin K. Roche, regional disaster officer. “Throughout the year, our dedicated and resilient Michigan volunteers have stepped forward to help people not only in Michigan but throughout the country and Puerto Rico. Most of us don't realize we have just two minutes to escape a home fire, which is the nation's most frequent disaster.”
OVERCOMING THE FIRST-EVER RED CROSS BLOOD CRISIS
In January 2022, the Red Cross experienced its worst national blood shortage in over a decade, due to ongoing collection challenges and varied hospital demand during the pandemic. Patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions relied on an outpouring of support from hundreds of thousands of generous blood donors to overcome the crisis.
The Red Cross Michigan Region has eight blood and platelet blood donation centers across the state including four in the metro Detroit area. Since July 1, nearly 67,000 units of blood have been collected from generous donors in Michigan.
Bobby Lee, who gives blood platelets on a regular basis, knows the impact that donated blood can have on people who need it. His wife underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer during the pandemic. “No one can do everything – but everyone can do something,” he said in May. “I’m healthy and I can give so that is what I can do now. This is the best way that I can let someone with cancer or anything else know that I am walking with them.”
Visit the Red Cross Michigan Region Year-in-Review for more information about how volunteers and donors made a difference in 2022.
About Our Regional Holiday Supporters
The Red Cross Michigan Region is grateful for corporate partners like OnStar who contribute to our Holiday Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of OnStar and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people in need.
MEDIA CONTACT: David Olejarz
david.olejarz@redcross.org | 313-303-0606
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.