New disaster volunteers! Yay!

Our new disaster responders are Brian Fitzpatrick, Thomas Kaynes, Thea Mink and Melissa Moorhouse.

These are the folks who are saying they’ll answer the call in the middle of the night if there’s a local disaster, but there are a ton of other opportunities available — even for <gasp> bloggers.

Have an itch to do something celebrated in your community to help others? Check out the opportunities at RedCross.Org/MA/Boston/volunteer.

It’s a party when Red Cross meets

Something is super funny at the Middleboro Fire Department. That’s where the Plymouth and Bristol county Red Cross teams met this week and this is the most serious photo I got out of the batch.

Have a sense of humor? we can put you in touch with this team. Check out all our volunteer opportunities at RedCross.Org/MA/Boston.

Oh, and where are our manners? Thank you to Olive Garden of Raynham and manager Cory Wilson, in the blue shirt. They donated enough pasta and salad to feed Red Crossers and the Middleboro Firefighters.

Red Cross welcomes new disaster volunteers

Please help us welcome five new disaster graduates!

This Fab Five just recently finished up training, and are now able to help when disaster strikes – whether locally or otherwise.

Do you want to volunteer? Click here to find out how you can!

Flood watch? Don’t get wet

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for today and a warning for tomorrow. Don’t get swept away!

Have an emergency kit available in your home for safety and most importantly, peace of mind.

Necessities include:

-At least a 3 day supply of water and non-perishable food items

-Flashlight

-Extra batteries

-First aid kit

-Extra cash

-Emergency contacts

During the storm

-Listen to area radio reports

-Head to higher ground

-Keep an eye on your children, they tend to be curious and could wander into contaminated/unsafe areas

 After the storm

-Return home when officials have deemed it safe to do so

-Wear protective clothing during cleanup like rubber gloves and boots

-When in doubt, throw it out!

 

 

Red Cross calls for platelet donations

We could use some platelets.

The Red Cross is asking platelet donors to schedule appointments to give this week to help meet patient needs. Platelets have a very short shelf life from donation to transfusion – only five days.  As summer gets underway, those who are eligible are strongly encouraged to give as frequently as they can.

So, what is a platelet donation?  Well, during a platelet donation, a small portion of your blood (about 1/4 pint at a time), is drawn and passed through a sophisticated cell-separating machine. The machine collects the platelets and safely returns the remaining blood back to you.  What is so remarkable about platelet donation is that a single platelet donation can provide enough platelets for a full therapeutic dose, and sometimes even two or three doses.  In contrast, it takes four to six whole blood donations to produce a single therapeutic dose.

To learn more about platelet donation or to make an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit our website at http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/types-donations/platelet-donation.

“Punky Brewster” star reminds us that giving blood is always in season

Actress Soleil Moon Frye, most famous for her role as Punky Brewster, has joined forces with Nexcare Bandages and the American Red Cross to announce the fifth annual Nexcare give program, encouraging people across the country to make blood donations.

This program, surrounding the World Health Organization’s World Blood Donor Day on June 14, thanks those who give blood and inspires others to donate as a part of this annual tradition.

As a Red Cross advocate, Frye has seen firsthand how lives can be saved through blood donation.  Frye grew up understanding the importance of community support through blood donation, and was surrounded by family members who donated blood regularly.

As a part of Frye’s commitment to the Nexcare give program, today she was featured on radio stations across the country, even giving an interview on Brockton’s WXBR – 1460 AM station.

As a part of the Nexcare give program, the Nexcare Brand is giving away their limited-edition bandages inspired by each of the four seasons, each adorned with the word “give” to express that giving blood is always in season. These special bandages are being distributed at Red Cross donor centers and blood drives until World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

Scavenger Hunt kicks off new YAB year

YAB members solved a riddle and found the 31 flavors in Kendall Square

It’s that time of year again.

Youth Programs at the American Red Cross of Eastern Mass this weekend kicked off a new Youth Advisory Board year with it’s annual Scavenger Hunt.

New and returning members of the board are broken up into teams and work together to solve riddles, find landmarks, and answer questions.  Equipped with a camera and a team captains, the teams set out throughout the Greater Boston area to find clues, take photos, and gain points. Some of their errands included taking a picture of a kayak or canoe, collect an MBTA map and a restaurant menu, and answer Boston and Red Cross related questions.

They also found a Food Truck to take a photo with

The team with the most points gets a prize, but all members are awarded a gift for their participation. It teaches our new and returning YAB members a little bit about Boston’s history, while encouraging teamwork in a fun way.

-Christina Barstow