American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania

It's the friends you make along the way... ☺️ Kat, from Red Lion, York County, is pictured here with Marlon, a Red Crosser from California. They're working together to provide support and comfort to families affected by recent flooding in Iowa. Thank you for volunteering! ❤️

As you spend time outdoors this summer, we want you to be prepared for an unexpected insect sting. Remember these first aid steps:

📌 Remove the stinger with clean hands or tweezers.
📌 Wash the area with soap and warm water.
📌 Apply antibiotic cream or gel if there are no known allergies.
📌 Use a cold pack to reduce swelling.

We encourage everyone to learn first aid. Visit redcross.org to register for a course today.

Many don’t realize we have just two minutes to escape a home fire — the most frequent disaster here in Pennsylvania. It's important to prepare now before there's an emergency.

🗒️ Make a home fire escape plan with your family and practice it at least twice a year.
🔥 Make sure you have working smoke alarms on each level of your home and test them once per month. Remember to teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like.

The Red Cross and community partners are meeting one-on-one with families to share home fire safety information and install free smoke alarms. Visit https://rdcrss.org/3sFBo4I if you need assistance.

Help ensure that lifesaving blood is available when patients need it. Join us as we partner with Lehigh Valley Public Media for a community blood drive on August 22!

Help save lives this summer by joining Lehigh Valley Public Media and our community partners on Thursday, August 22 from noon - 5 pm for a Community Blood Drive with the American Red Cross at the studios in Southside Bethlehem.
Schedule an appointment now: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Public%20Media

More than two weeks after Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas, the Red Cross is still on the ground helping people work to get back on their feet.

On Sunday night, more than 200 people stayed in Red Cross and partner emergency shelters across southeast Texas, seeking relief from the heat and hurricane damage.

Cathy, a Red Cross volunteer from Altoona, is providing care and comfort at a shelter in the Houston area. Red Cross disaster workers will help people plan their next steps while continuing to provide shelter and delivering emergency supplies such as food, water and other critical support to people in need.

You can help people affected by Hurricane Beryl in the United States. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text BERYL to 90999 to donate.

The need for blood doesn't take a summer break. Join the race to help save lives by making an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code POCONO.

The American Red Cross continues to help families as they begin to recover from Hurricane Beryl and will be there in the challenging weeks and months to come.

Please click, text or call to help people affected by Hurricane Beryl in the United States. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or text BERYL to 90999 to donate.

'The only background I have is that I care': 2 Lehigh Valley retired granddads to head to different parts of US for Hurricane Beryl disaster relief Two retired granddads, Rogers, in his early 70s, and Roy Preuninger of Easton, in his late 60s, are always ready for action.

We're hoping you will fetch your friends and help meet the critical need for blood and platelet donors. Together we can make a pawsitive impact on patient care. Book your appointment now at rcblood.org/appt.

Can you complete the five steps of water competency in order without stopping? These five basic skills could help save your life in a water emergency.

For more tips on how to be water smart, visit redcross.org/watersafety.

Experiencing a natural disaster or other emergency can be intensely stressful. Even when the immediate danger has passed, the impact can still be felt. People may feel grief or anger over the damage or loss, fear or hopelessness when thinking about rebuilding their lives, or they may simply feel overwhelmed and not know how to begin. Taking those first steps toward recovery can be easier with a little support.

That's where compassionate volunteers like Cathy, Marcy and Doug come in. They're all licensed professionals who volunteer their time and talent with the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health team. Right now, they are deployed to Texas to help families affected by Hurricane Beryl, by fostering a positive culture in disaster shelters and patiently listening to those who need to talk about what they’ve gone through.

This trio from Altoona, Warren and Erie are part of the group of 13 Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania volunteers who are helping families impacted by Hurricane Beryl in Texas. Thank you for helping this community rebuild!

Our Disaster Action Team helped five people after severe storms damaged a home Tuesday in the 100 block of Conodoguinet Mobile Estates in Newville (Cumberland County). Anyone in need of Red Cross assistance should call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Looking for a volunteer opportunity in your community? Consider becoming a blood donor ambassador! In this position, you'll play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process.

For more information and to sign up, go to https://rdcrss.org/2NUDKdM.

We are so honored to recognize eight heroes in Lancaster County with American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards. They took action to help save a man's life after he went into cardiac arrest while driving during the morning rush. We are so thankful that they were there to provide lifesaving care!

First responders receive award for saving Lancaster County man during heart attack MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) – June 1, 2023 was a life-changing day for Stephen Funk of Paradise. “It was kind of in the middle of the night. My wife said I was up pacing, walking aroun…

Thanks to all the blood donors, volunteers and blood services team members who joined us yesterday at the annual Bleed4Need Blood Drive in Greensburg! 🩸

Shoutout to Linda, a Red Cross volunteer from Central PA! She is headed to Philadelphia to support a shelter for residents impacted by an apartment building fire last week. Thank you for providing care and comfort with our neighboring region, American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania!

This summer, the Red Cross continues to see a critical need for blood donors. Full calendars and travel plans may prevent regular donors from making and keeping their appointments, but every donation counts in the mission to keep blood products stocked for patients who need them.

Help brighten our forecast and make an appointment to give blood at redcrossblood.org!

Paramedics across Pennsylvania can now have a new tool in their ambulances: lifesaving blood products.

“This year, the state of Pennsylvania approved the use and administration of blood products for the management of hemorrhagic shock in EMS services,” said Dr. Bill Jenkins, medical director of Mutual Aid EMS in Westmoreland County. Hemorrhagic shock is a medical emergency where the body begins to shut down due to heavy blood loss.

Mutual Aid is one of the first ambulance services in the state to carry blood products on board. This inspired Caitlin Parker, an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) at Mutual Aid, to host a blood drive with her colleagues.

“I thought it would be a nice way to give back to the community,” Parker said. “Being an EMT, you see it firsthand – these situations where it's so important that someone has the care they need.”

“Statistically, somebody in your family, somebody you know – a close friend, a relative – somebody is going to need blood someday,” Dr. Jenkins said, “and they’re only getting it because somebody showed up to donate it.”

The Mutual Aid blood drive helped the American Red Cross collect 34 units of blood for patients in need. Parker was one of 14 first-time blood donors at the drive.

“If these people could see the patients that we care for and talk to their families and see the impact that their blood donation has for such a small contribution of their time – it’s so worth it,” Dr. Jenkins said.

Be a force for good. We’ve teamed up with Universal Pictures to help those impacted by disaster. You can be the difference between someone’s storm and their sunshine. Visit redcross.org/TWISTERS to make a donation.

https://youtu.be/VkViaH_5sls

Join Universal Pictures in supporting Red Cross Disaster Relief We’ve teamed up with Universal Pictures for the theatrical release of Twisters to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, fires and countless other...

📣 Red Cross training can give you the skills and confidence to act in an emergency and save lives. Sign up for a first aid course at redcross.org/take-a-class and then download the free Red Cross First Aid app to have step-by-step instructions right at your fingertips.

Seven years ago, the Red Cross was there for Stephanie during Hurricane Harvey. Now, volunteers are in Houston to help her again after Hurricane Beryl. 🤍

Stephanie Thomas, a Victoria, TX resident, prepared to evacuate her home with her sister, daughter, and five grandkids before Beryl's landfall and knew exactly where she should go: the St. Joseph High School shelter in Victoria.

As she approached the shelter, she saw the familiar logo of the American Red Cross, which put her at ease. Thomas remembered when she was here seven years ago for Hurricane Harvey. When Harvey came through, she was nervous about staying in a shelter as she had not had the need before.

“The Red Cross was here to take care of us and transported us to a shelter in Austin to keep us safe after Harvey flooded our town. The Red Cross treated us so well the first time, and they are doing the same again. Everyone is so friendly and makes sure we have what we need. We're glad to be here.”

To find a safe place to stay in the community, go to redcross.org/shelter.

Emergencies are more common than you may think. In fact, the American Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes.

As the climate crisis worsens and disasters become more frequent and intense, the Red Cross is urging everyone to get ready now in case a disaster threatens your community.

Do you have your emergency kit prepared? Find a list of basic supplies here: https://rdcrss.org/3omicmC

You’ll also want to customize your kits to meet your households’ specific needs, including items needed for your pets, young children and any specific medical supplies.

The Red Cross is your partner in getting prepared for emergencies. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for real-time weather alerts, open shelter locations and expert advice in both English and Spanish.

Doug is one of four Red Cross volunteers from our Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter who is volunteering his time to help people affected by Hurricane Beryl. Doug's volunteer work is focused on providing emotional support to Texans as they recover from this disaster. Watch his interview with Erie News Now⬇️

Fourth Northwestern PA Volunteer Heading to Texas Doug Pontzer, is deploying as a Disaster Mental Health volunteer. He works as a behavioral health consultant in Erie.

Are you considering becoming a Red Cross volunteer? Let us know how you would like to help!
🔥 Respond to home fires and other local disasters?
🩸 Help at a blood drive?
🇺🇸 Support veterans, military members and their families?
👩‍🏫 Prepare children for emergencies?
💻 Support from home as a virtual volunteer?
🩺 Use your skills as a nurse or other health professional?
💭 Explore opportunities for teens or young adults?

Check out our new page to discover the volunteer roles available across Pennsylvania: https://www.redcross.org/local/pennsylvania/greater-pennsylvania/volunteer.html

Red Cross volunteers from Pennsylvania help in Hurricane Beryl relief efforts The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania sent ten disaster responders to East Texas in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall on Monday.