The American Red Cross continues to provide aid, support, and care to those reeling from Helene, as well as assistance through the many challenges survivors face on the path to recovery.
Sarah Armstrong, an Asheville resident, and her family found themselves without power, cell service, or water after the storm. These difficulties were compounded by the family's efforts to care for both her mother-in-law, who lives with diabetes, and an aunt who has multiple sclerosis and relies on a motorized wheelchair. Even more alarmingly, the family's handicap-accessible van had been destroyed by a fallen tree, along with another problem:
"My mother-in-law realized that she didn't have any insulin," said Sarah. "All I could think of is, ‘if we don’t find insulin, we’re going to end up in the ER.’ I didn’t sleep or stop thinking about it for 24 hours.”
Sarah said she had been calling pharmacies but, like so many others, continued to struggle with lack of connectivity, along with the fact that many local pharmacies were closed due to their own Helene impacts. The calls weren't getting through.
"Panic," said Sarah, "I felt panicked."
That weekend, Sarah took her aunt to the local Asheville Police and Fire station to recharge her wheelchair. The station had previously received StarLink – a satellite internet network – through which community members could connect with concerned loved ones and seek help and information.
"I saw a gentleman in a Red Cross vest," said Sarah. "I just stopped him; I was just asking for resources. But he immediately said, 'Come with me; we'll take care of it.'"
Sarah said Dave Gutierrez, the Job Director for the Red Cross Hurricane Helene disaster relief operation, personally called the local disaster team and connected Sarah with Leah Thorndyke. Leah is a Disaster Health Services Volunteer from South Carolina who began working with Sarah and her family to get her resources as fast as possible.
For the next 24 hours, Leah made calls, searching for a pharmacy that was both open and had insulin in stock.
"She was so amazing," said Sarah. "She called me back all day long – she would call me phone saying, 'What progress do we have? 'Where are we?'"
"Persistence pays off!" said Leah, laughing. "There's so much going on; I just wanted to find a way to help."
Leah finally found a pharmacy in Charlotte, NC, and worked with Sarah to get the prescription submitted. Leah then coordinated with a Red Cross volunteer who was headed from Charlotte to Asheville to bring the insulin to Sarah.
In an emotional moment, Sarah showed up at the Red Cross Asheville Chapter office, where she embraced an equally emotional Leah.
"I could barely say anything, I don't think there was much to say," said Leah. "I was just happy I could help and that it was a good outcome."
Both Sarah's mother-in-law and aunt have been relocated, as the continued lack of water in many Asheville and surrounding communities makes specialized care difficult. Sarah and her family are still without water, but they are doing okay, despite some minor basement flooding.
“I cannot believe [Leah] did all of this just for one person," said Sarah." We already felt so isolated without communication, without power. So, this – having that stress relieved by you guys and all of the effort that took to make that happen — was a total life-changer for us during this."
YOU CAN HELP: Your contribution helps the Red Cross prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disaster. Visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation or to schedule a blood donation appointment. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.
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