Officials with the Nebraska-Iowa Region of the American Red Cross report, as uncertain as the past year has been, one constant has been the need for lifesaving blood. Patients rushed to emergency rooms, those battling sickle cell disease and mothers with complicated childbirths rely on the generosity of volunteer donors to help receive the blood transfusions they rely on. And right now, the blood supply has fallen to critical levels. The Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet current demand as hospitals respond to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, organ transplants and elective surgeries.

Patients need the help of the American people, who can make a difference by making an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).   In thanks for helping meet patient needs, all who come to give between now and July 31 will receive automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value) and a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Additional information and details are available at rcblood.org/fuel.

Red Cross Disaster Team Completes Busy First Half of 2021

The first half of 2021 saw an increased number of disasters, keeping volunteer responders busy. Between January 1-June 30 in the Nebraska-Iowa Region, the Red Cross responded to more than 470 disasters, 95 percent of which were home fires. Through those responses, the Red Cross served more than 2,000 people.

Disaster Responses (January 1-June 30, 2021)

State            Events        Individuals Assisted

Nebraska          174                755

Iowa                 297                1,281

The Red Cross provides shelter, food, relief supplies, comfort, health service, recovery planning and other assistance in times of disaster through the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Nationally, the Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year, most of which are home fires. However, large disasters such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and wildfires are increasing with frequency and intensity.

To learn more about Red Cross Disaster Relief, visit redcross.org.