Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
National Nurses Week is May 6-12
LAS VEGAS (May 6, 2022) — Today marks the start of the 32nd annual National Nurses Week, a celebration designed to recognize the essential role nurses play in all aspects of health care. During this time, the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada is honoring the dedicated volunteer and staff nurses who help the organization fulfill its mission every day.
Red Cross nurses bring relief to disaster victims, work in military hospitals, and collect lifesaving blood, according to Dr. Hank Hanna, Red Cross Medical Director for Nevada. “Our staff and volunteer nurses are critical to most everything we do, such as helping communities prepare, respond, and recover from disasters,” he said. “They provide lifesaving blood therapies to patients in Nevada suffering from sickle cell disease, cancer, and many other diseases. Our nurses also develop and teach courses ranging from CPR/first aid to disaster preparedness.”
From hospital operating rooms to emergency disaster shelters, nurses are important members of health care teams, Dr. Hanna emphasized. “Nurses are a comforting and critical presence, whether delivering simple reassurance or lifesaving treatment.”
The American Red Cross was founded by a battlefield nurse, Clara Barton. Today, nurses continue to support the Red Cross mission of providing care and comfort to those in need. There are also nurses in a variety of Red Cross leadership positions, including board members, program directors, and chapter CEOs.
“I have profound respect for these dedicated medical professionals who always put others before themselves,” Dr. Hanna said. “That’s why it’s important to appreciate and recognize the critical work nurses do by honoring them not just this week, but every day."
Support nurses by volunteering to help those in need
Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to learn more. Or to help ensure all patients have access to the blood products they count on, make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
“It’s critically important to maintain a readily available blood supply, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood, platelets, and plasma for those in need,” Dr. Hanna said.
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