A time for compassion and readiness

Supporting the most vulnerable with blood donations, disaster relief, and more. Having trouble viewing this message? [Click Here]( [American Red Cross]( September 2020 [DONATE]( [Crossnotes]( [Disaster update]( National Preparedness Month Last week, wildfires in California and Hurricane Laura caused terrible devastation, forcing families to leave their homes. September is National Preparedness Month – preparedness is crucial to help you and your family react quickly to disasters like these. Having an emergency plan can help you be prepared when disasters big or small occur. With COVID-19, preparing for emergencies is a little different this year, but the three basic action steps remain the same for everyone: Build a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed. [Learn more about how to be Red Cross Ready when disaster strikes.]( [LEARN MORE]( [Reconnecting families]( Volunteer Recruitment Virtual Events [JOIN US]( The American Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region now offers monthly virtual open house events for those interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer. NOW is the perfect time to JOIN US... GET TRAINED... and BE PREPARED to help your local community! Learn about positions with blood donation centers, disaster action teams, and much more. Each session is organized by the Volunteer Services team with guest speakers from throughout the Red Cross. Learn first-hand what it means to be a Red Cross Volunteer. Come listen, learn and ask questions! Volunteers needed! Wondering how to help your community when disaster strikes, or to help with lifesaving blood collections during the COVID-19 crisis? [Check out our top-priority volunteer positions and apply today!]( [APPLY NOW]( [Hire a veteran]( Hire a veteran: our service isn’t over [LEARN MORE]( Across the country, COVID-19 has made unemployment a key concern for Americans. But for many U.S. veterans, the challenges of unemployment predate this pandemic. One former Army officer shares his journey from unemployment to Red Cross staff member in [Hire a Veteran: “Our Service isn’t Over,”]( raising awareness of veterans in need of job placement. The American Red Cross is proud to be a 2020 Military Friendly® Employer; it’s a testament to our long history of serving America’s military families. [Childhood cancer patient]( Meet this brave little fighter, Raegan [DONATE BLOOD]( September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The National Cancer Institute estimates more than 15,000 children and adolescents were diagnosed last year, including 20-month-old Raegan. She has already undergone five surgeries and has two more to go, receiving 15 blood and 8 platelet transfusions. “Raegan’s cancer is a parent’s worst nightmare – it’s a feeling of helplessness as you watch your child struggle and fight for their life,” said Raegan’s mother, Jessica. “Donating blood is an action that can be taken to directly help them and others like them.” [Come to give through Sept. 30 and receive a free haircut coupon from Sport Clips Haircuts via email!*]( [Grief assistance]( Grieving is difficult, we’re here to help [LEARN MORE]( Grieving is a difficult process at any time, and we recognize the COVID-19 pandemic creates additional challenges and needs. That’s why the Virtual Family Assistance Center offers mental health, spiritual care and health services for those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 or are facing grief as a result of the pandemic. Please visit [redcross.org/VFAC]( or call toll-free 833-492-0094 for more information. [Red Cross volunteer David O’Neil]( Red Cross volunteer saves a life [READ MORE]( Last year, Red Cross volunteer David O’Neil called on his Red Cross first aid training to save the life of a woman who was choking at a Red Cross shelter. For his heroic and lifesaving actions, David was recently honored by the Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties with the Lifesaving Award Certificate of Merit, one of the highest awards given by the Red Cross. [Learn more about his story here.]( [Gamers vs. Disasters]( Join Gamers vs. Disasters for National Video Games Day, Saturday, September 12, as we bring together the gaming community to help us raise lifesaving funds to help people affected by disasters big and small. By playing your favorite video games and starting a charity livestream, gamers across the country will be remotely joining the disaster relief frontlines with their support. [Create your Tiltify fundraiser today]( and livestream it on Twitch or YouTube in solidarity with Gamers vs. Disasters. If you have questions or plan on participating, please let us know by emailing P2Pfundrasing@redcross.org. [Thank you to our sponsor]( [Thank you to ManTech International and associates, who have donated over $150,000 to COVID-19 and antibody testing efforts. Their generosity during this unique time is appreciated.]( [Red Cross Apps]( Get access to decades of Red Cross knowledge at your fingertips! [Download our FREE mobile apps]( today and get the tools and preparedness information that you need. Available on [App Store®]( or [Google Play™](. [Apple Store]( [Google Play]( Get more of the latest Red Cross news - [Delmarva Red Cross in Need of On Call Volunteers]( - [Red Cross Hurricane Tips]( - [64-Year-Old Has Donated 40 Gallons of Blood, Potentially Saving Over 900 People]( [Champions]( Make a monthly donation and receive a special Red Cross pin as our way of saying thanks! [Become a champion]( [Gail] The past months have brought so many new and unexpected difficulties, and the COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to adjust to a new normal. Amidst these changes, preparing for disasters and emergencies has never been more important. September is National Preparedness Month, and at the American Red Cross, we strongly encourage you to update your household’s readiness practices. Whether reviewing critical safety steps to help prepare for a [hurricane]( a [wildfire]( or a [home fire]( taking the time to refresh your first aid kits or study your evacuation plans can make all the difference. This year, we have new tips and resources to help [older adults]( prepare. Any level of preparedness, especially during this period of great uncertainty, is well worth it. From all of us at the Red Cross, please continue to stay safe and healthy during this challenging time. [Gail McGovern] Gail McGovern President and CEO American Red Cross [Subscribe]( | [Contact Us]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Staying in touch via the American Red Cross email list is the best way we have of keeping in regular contact with supporters like you, letting you know about how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from disasters and other emergencies, and how you can support our life-saving work. [Click here]( to unsubscribe from our list, but please know that if you leave, it will be harder for you to stay involved with the Red Cross and continue the work of which you’ve been such a critical part. It is only because of supporters like you that the Red Cross is able to respond when a disaster strikes or a home is impacted by fire, when someone needs CPR or a lifesaving blood transfusion, or when a family needs to contact a deployed service member in an emergency. And we don’t want to lose you! Thanks for your support! *Items are non-transferable and are not redeemable for cash. Presenting donors Sept. 1-30, 2020, will receive a coupon for a free haircut from Sport Clips Haircuts. Valid email address is required. Coupon will be delivered to the email address in the Red Cross donor profile approximately 10 days after donation. Offer valid at participating Sport Clips Haircuts locations through Nov. 30, 2020. One coupon per customer. Recipient's name must be visible if using a printed email. Visit [RedCrossBlood.org/Sport-Clips]( for more details. © [2020 American Red Cross]( | 431 18th Street NW Washington DC 20006 Donate by phone: 1-800-RED CROSS(1-800-733-2767) | [Donate by Mail]( [Facebook]( [YouTube]( [Twitter]( [Flickr]( [A gift of any size supports all of the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.]( [BBB] [Seal of Transparency - 2019 Platinum]( [90¢] The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend is invested in delivering care and comfort to those in need.