Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
LAS VEGAS and RENO, Nev. (Nov. 23, 2022) — 2022 has been a year of crisis for families in Nevada and around the world from home fires in our neighborhoods to extreme climate disasters and global emergencies like the conflict in Ukraine 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 Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada 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 and during the holidays, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood for patients in the U.S. Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer. For more information and to apply for a volunteer position, in Southern Nevada, contact Bonnie Cook at bonnie.cook@redcross.org or 702-268-3207 and, in Northern Nevada, contact Ericka Smith at ericka.smith@redcross.org or 775-225-3392 or visit RedCross.org/volunteertoday.
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 in Nevada and across the country, Red Cross volunteers have worked 24/7 to provide shelter, food and care. In Nevada, Red Cross volunteers have also provided relief and comfort after home fires and other local disasters, to help ensure no one faces a crisis of any size alone.
HELPING FAMILIES AFFECTED BY GLOBAL EMERGENCIES
Internationally, the conflict in Ukraine has forced millions of people to flee for their lives. With such vast needs, the American Red Cross has provided financial donations and international crisis responders to support the global Red Cross network’s response on the ground, which spans more than a dozen neighboring countries to deliver food, shelter, medical care, emotional support, and other critical aid for displaced families.
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross has also provided financial support to the ongoing hunger crisis in Africa. Overall, this year, as part of the world’s largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross provided humanitarian aid in more than 108 countries.
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.
Beyond national headlines, the need for blood is constant, as one in seven patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion. Every day, Red Cross blood donors are the lifeline for car accident victims, parents with complicated childbirths, individuals battling cancer and people with sickle cell disease. Make an appointment to give blood this holiday season in Southern Nevada by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.
PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR PERSONAL EMERGENCIES
In Nevada, Red Cross workers have helped people through other personal emergencies too, whether it was connecting a loved one with a deployed service member during a family crisis or training people to provide CPR for those suffering from cardiac arrest. In 2022, Red Cross of Nevada team members responded to more than 350 home fires and helped more than 600 families, providing emotional support, access to financial assistance, and valuable information to help families begin to recover.
Visit Year in Review for more information about how the Red Cross of Nevada helped people in 2022.
About Our Regional Holiday Supporters
The Red Cross of Nevada is grateful for corporate partners who contribute to our Holiday Campaign. They include regional partners Rimini Street, Zappos.com and Caesars Entertainment. Thanks to the generosity of these and other supporters, the Red Cross is able to bring help and hope to people in need.
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.