Red Cross seeks blood, hurricane aid

Van Wert County Red Cross information

Four more volunteers from the southern counties of the Northwest Ohio Region of the American Red Cross, including one from Van Wert County, have been deployed to New Jersey to help with relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

Rodney Knauss of Van Wert, Colleen and Richard Bekemeier of Wapakoneta, and Jean Schroeder of Ottawa left from the Allen County Chapter at 10 a.m. Wednesday heading for Ocean, N.J. They will help at Red Cross shelters there.

“Having a trained, prepared, and ready-to-help team of volunteers is one of the most valuable resources a community can rely on when disaster strikes,” said Mark Klausing, Disaster Services chairman for the Van Wert County Red Cross chapter. “We are grateful for the dedication of our chapter volunteers and their willingness to help wherever there is need.”

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, nearly 11,000 people spent Monday night in more than 250 Red Cross shelters across 16 states. The Red Cross is helping people with safe shelter, food and water and a shoulder to lean on. The Red Cross has mobilized 1,700 disaster workers from all over the country who have served more than 25,000 meals and snacks so far. Red Cross has also activated 167 response vehicles and shipped in more than 230,000 ready-to-eat meals.

The response to Sandy is very large and very costly and the Red Cross is asking people to help with relief efforts. To donate visit www.redcross.org, call 800.RED.CROSS (800.733.2767) or text the word “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Monetary gifts enable the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected. Contributions may also be sent to the local Red Cross chapter at 208 E. Main St. in Van Wert.

Nearly 325 Red Cross blood drives in 13 states have already been cancelled due to the storm, and more are expected. This represents a loss of as many as 11,000 blood and platelet products. The Red Cross is asking people who are eligible to give blood especially in places not affected by the storm, to schedule a blood donation now.

To schedule a donation time or get more information about giving blood, people can visit www.redcrossblood.org or call the above telephone number. To give blood, people must be at least 17 years of age, meet weight and height requirements and be in general good health. Donors should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive identification with them.  The next bloodmobile in Van Wert County is at the American Legion on November 29 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The Red Cross shipped blood products to hospitals in affected areas ahead of the storm as patients will still need blood and platelets despite the weather.