Red Cross seeks donations for hurricane victims

While the Red Cross does not typically collect and distribute blood in Florida, hundreds of blood products have been sent to local blood centers to ensure patients in need continue to have access to lifesaving blood during Hurricane Dorian's attack on the southeast coast. The Red Cross has also pre-positioned additional blood products and stocked many hospitals to capacity in areas of the southeast likely to be impacted by the storm. The Red Cross currently has an emergency need for blood donations following a summer shortage. Appointments for donations can be made using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As of Tuesday afternoon, the Red Cross has mobilizing more than 1,900 trained responders from all over the country, including 18 from Northeast Ohio, to assist in hurricane affected areas. The Red Cross has also deployed 110 emergency response vehicles, including two ERVs from Northeast Ohio, and more than 104 tractor trailers loaded full of relief supplies, including cots, blankets and 63,000 ready-to-eat meals to help people in the path of Hurricane Dorian. To make monetary donations, visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or text the word DORIAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations cover emergency food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance.