American Red Cross

Alexa Massad is both a fighter and a hero. She put her own health at risk to save someone's life. While out driving with her fiancé, Alexa saw two men standing by a car on the side of the road. One of them was having a heart attack. Alexa had a compromised immune system from undergoing chemotherapy to treat lymphoma and needed to keep her distance from others. But she put her desire to help first. Alexa pulled over and called 911. The dispatcher talked her through how to do CPR until emergency responders arrived. Thanks to her fast actions, the man survived. To honor her selflessness and bravery, Alexa was awarded the Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action by the American Red Cross of Connecticut. Everyone can benefit from knowing lifesaving skills. You may be the one to give a person the best chance of survival during an emergency. Take a class to learn CPR in honor of World Restart A Heart Day. ??????

Leticia Leon is using her bilingual skills to bring lifesaving resources to Hispanic and Latino communities. Six years ago, Red Cross volunteers came to Leticia's apartment complex to talk to neighbors about how to prepare for emergencies. As a first generation Mexican-American who speaks Spanish and English, she could immediately see herself fitting into the mission and making meaningful connections within her community. "My Mexican heritage is embedded in me — it’s in my DNA,” Leticia said. “I take it wherever I go." Now, Leticia is taking her heritage with her as a preparedness outreach and presentations coordinator with the American Red Cross Central California Region. She is paying forward the vital information she learned from the Red Cross six years ago at local community events. “I feel so enriched inside of my soul and I’m so fortunate to be making a positive impact in my community," she said. Leticia's goal this year has been to foster partnerships with local organizations. Within just six months, she helped forge a relationship between the Red Cross and the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard, California. “We’re a unique culture that has so much to offer, Leticia said. "By more individuals being proactive and self confident, we are able to achieve so much in the community." Our mission shines brighter and makes a greater impact, thanks for committed volunteers like Leticia. ?

From Florida to North Carolina, those who endured Hurricanes Milton and Helene are doing all they can to move forward amid tragedy and destruction. Our teams remain on the ground across the Southeast, providing support, comfort and relief to those recovering from unimaginable losses. With the help of partners and over 2,100 disaster responders, we’ve been able to: ? Provide thousands of people with safe shelter daily. ? Set up mobile kitchens in Florida and produce tens of thousands of hot meals a day. ? Distribute 790,000+ meals and snacks and 60,000+ relief supplies. ? Deliver essential items like generators and laundry and shower trailers to affected areas. ? Support hundreds of families in reconnecting with their missing loved ones. These back-to-back storms are prime examples of how the climate crisis is worsening and why communities continue to rely on us for help. We can’t do this work alone, and that’s why your support is desperately needed now more than ever. Give today to help people affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene by visiting https://rdcrss.org/4eGyUZ5 or texting the word HURRICANES to 90999 to donate. Your support will help people recover for the days, weeks and months to come.

One of the incredible things about working for the Red Cross is the fortune to witness humanity at its best. In the wake of devastating hurricanes, communities have come together to support their neighbors in many different ways – one of which has been rolling up a sleeve to give blood. I am so grateful for the outpouring of support for patients -- especially in some of the hardest hit states where we have seen phenomenal turnout these past couple of weeks. Because of these donations, our national inventory has stayed strong despite thousands of donations going uncollected earlier this month when more than 100?blood?drives were canceled across the Southeast. The need for blood is constant and we couldn’t save lives without our generous volunteer donors, as well as our dedicated Red Cross staff. Please extend my thanks far and wide – we’re all in this together.

What's Jessica Gutierrez's attitude when it comes to supporting her local Spanish-speaking community? “I’ll do what it takes." ???? Jessica is a powerhouse at the American Red Cross Serving Nebraska and works as a community engagement and partnership manager in the region. Within a year of being at the Red Cross, Jessica has already made strides in strengthening our relationship with Hispanic and Latino communities. She has made meaningful connections by: - Serving as a translator during disasters. - Sharing lifesaving information on Spanish radio. - Expanding our outreach at community events. - Meeting with representatives from the Guatemalan embassy. "I love to help and advocate, not only for my community, but also for underserved communities," Jessica said. "Being Hispanic/Latina and born and raised in Mexico gives me the opportunity to be their advocate, their voice." Jessica is also actively advocating for growing diversity within the region's volunteer teams. “There’s a huge need for Spanish-speaking volunteers,” Jessica said. “Everyone is welcome at the Red Cross, and there are opportunities to help and grow.” We have deep gratitude for Red Crossers like Jessica who help us strive for a more inclusive mission every day. #HispanicHeritageMonth

Cardiac arrest often happens close to home. Knowing lifesaving CPR could give a loved one the best chance of survival. Join American Red Cross Training Services for a LinkedIn Live on Wednesday, Oct. 16, for World Restart a Heart Day. You'll hear from a cardiac arrest survivor and learn how his life was saved, thanks to those around him knowing CPR.

“We were so fortunate. That’s what I keep telling myself even though we lost everything.” Shanicca and her family recently moved to Asheville, North Carolina, in September. They were staying with a friend when Hurricane Helene devastated their community. “My friend told me the day before the storm, it was going to get real bad, so I stayed at a hotel,” Shanicca said. “The first floor flooded. I was praying so hard when the storm hit. Even though we were safe, I got scared when the power went out and then the water started flowing in.” Shanicca’s family lost all of their belongings because of Helene. Her tragic story is a similar one experienced by thousands of people across the Southeast. Now, they are staying at a Red Cross shelter where they can safely plan their next steps, have daily meals, connect with spiritual care and mental health volunteers, and receive other community resources. One resource in particular is through a partnership with Children's Disaster Services (CDS) where safe play areas are set up for children in shelters. Through art, play and focused attention, Shanicca’s sons, Nathan and Izayah, are learning how to cope and emotionally recover from this devastating disaster, too. In western North Carolina, the heartbreaking damage and lack of connectivity have made it difficult to reach some communities. With the help of partners, we're caring for people in shelters who have no other place to go and gaining access to more neighborhoods to distribute meals and supplies each day. “People lost their cars, their homes, and all of their belongings,” Shanicca said. “I arrived here five days after the storm, and I'm just grateful that you guys are helping and doing everything for everybody. I have just been blessed so much by y’all.”

Taking care of your mental health after a disaster is critical. It’s just as important when you’re responding to one as a Red Cross disaster responder. Thanks to these therapy dogs with HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response organization, our Red Crossers took a moment to reset before tackling another challenging day helping people recover from Hurricane Helene. During these hard times, special visits from these four-legged friends help refuel the mental strength needed to provide hope and relief to people going through unimaginable loss. “Taking a few minutes to unwind and play with a loving dog allows our workforce to take care of themselves, which also helps us better care for communities in need,” said Virginia Mewborn, director for the Red Cross disaster response operation in North and Central Florida. Just like Red Crossers, these HOPE dogs have a mission — to provide comfort, hope and lots of joy to people in need. We’re grateful to work alongside organizations that help communities recover both physically and emotionally. ?? #Helene

These are just some of the many people who will be there for those affected by Hurricane Milton. Hundreds of disaster responders have deployed and are dedicating their time to provide safe refuge, comfort and support as Floridians grapple with the aftermath of the storm. As recovery begins, they will be crucial in helping people who have been impacted. Their commitment reminds us that even in the most challenging times, there are always those willing to make a difference. ??

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, our hearts go out to all those who have lost so much. Milton is the third hurricane to hit Florida this year, following closely after Helene. It has left more than 3 million people without power, dropping over a foot of rain and spawning numerous tornadoes. Red Cross disaster teams remain on the ground in Florida, working closely with local officials and partners to understand exactly what people require and where Red Cross assistance is needed most. This is an immensely difficult time for communities across the Southeast, especially for Floridians. If you would like to help people affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, here are three things you can do right now. ?? #Milton #Helene