By Carl Manning
American Red Cross
 Millions of people are making travel plans to see the first coast-to-coast solar eclipse visible in the U.S. in nearly a century, and the American Red Cross is prepared to help them if needed.

The eclipse path is a 70-mile-wide band stretching from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina and crossing over much of Missouri. Officials estimate that more than 7 million people will travel to scores of viewing areas.

The Red Cross is coordinating with various emergency agencies along the path to ensure that it’s collectively prepared for any contingency. Such planning is a part of the collaboration between the Red Cross and emergency management officials with regard to large-scale public events.

For example, the Red Cross has hundreds of emergency shelters on standby in the 12 states touched by the eclipse in case of other emergencies such as severe weather that might occur while travelers are away from home.

The Red Cross also has some tips for eclipse viewers:

Looking directly into the sun is unsafe and can cause lasting eye damage except during the brief time when the moon completely blocks the sun’s brilliance. To learn how to observe the eclipse safely, check out the information from NASA at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety.

For traveling, pack an emergency kit that includes water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlight with extra batteries, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, infant supplies, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items such as toilet paper, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps and emergency contact information.

Know how officials contact people in the area you are planning to visit in case of an emergency. Be sure to let family and friends know where you are going and the route you plan to take.

Arrive to where you plan to watch the eclipse at least a day ahead of time and stay up to date with the weather forecast in the area where you will be.

Create an emergency plan including deciding a location to meet in case someone gets separated from your group, and where to go in case of severe weather.  Also, because cellular service may be overwhelmed, print out directions and have a printed map.

Know where you are staying and phone ahead before leaving to verify your reservation since lodging along the viewing areas mostly are sold out and room prices are extremely high in many areas. Plan to camp if necessary.

Keep your gas tank full so you don’t run out stuck in traffic. A good rule is not to let the tank drop below half filled.

The Red Cross app “Emergency” can help keep you and your loved ones safe with instant access to long-scale event tips, weather alerts and the location of open Red Cross shelters.

“Red Cross First Aid” is another app that puts instant access to information on handling the most common first aid scenarios. Download these apps by searching for “American Red Cross” in your app store or at redcross.org/apps.

The American Red Cross urges blood donors in the Western Missouri Region to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a chronic summer blood shortage.In August, regular donors may delay giving as final summer vacations are planned and back-to-school activities ramp up.

To fully meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks, donations are urgently needed from new and current donors. Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to donate again. Blood can be safely donated every 56 days, and Power Red cells can be donated every 112 days.

As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross now through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard™.*

Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.

Here are upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 15-31 in the Kansas City Metro area:

 Aug. 15, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.: Rose Estates, 12700 Antioch Road, Overland Park, KS.

Aug 16, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.: Platte City United Methodist Church, 14040 N. Highway, Platte City, MO.

Aug. 23, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Public Works Robinson Complex, 1385 S. Robinson, Olathe, KS.

Aug. 26, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Spirit Zone Booster Club, 1160 SE Century Dr., Lees Summit, MO.

Aug. 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 920 Alta Lane, Olathe, KS.

Aug. 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: City Wide/ODDO/BASYS, 15423 W. 100^th Terrace, Lenexa, KS.

Aug. 30, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Hy-Vee, 8301 N.Saint Clair Rd., Kansas City, MO.

Aug. 31, 8 a.m.-Noon: New Directions Behavioral Health, 8140 Ward Parkway, Suite 500, Kansas City, MO.

By Julia Lugon
American Red Cross
It was a dark, stormy night when Deborah Abner arrived in Chapman, Kansas.  She was there with the Salvation Army to assist the survivors of an EF-3 tornado that left a path of destruction across the town, destroyed over 60 homes and left hundreds of families homeless. The violent storm took the lives of two people and damaged churches, business and schools.

She was there to help – but she was also scared. What can you do in a situation like this? How can you help families rebuild? As she walked around thinking about her next steps, a sigh of relief: the friendly face of an American Red Cross volunteer.

The Salvation Army and the Red Cross have worked together for years to help people in disasters.  In the 2008 Chapman tornado, the organizations worked side by side to feed survivors, volunteers and response teams.

“We were so glad to see each other because then we knew everything was going to be OK,” said Deborah, the Salvation Army’s assistant divisional director for disaster services.

Deborah and her Red Cross friend decided they would work together serving lunch and dinner at a tennis court nearby. Parking their emergency response vehicles in the shape of an L, they created an environment of hospitality, where people could hang out and have a nice meal. Many restaurants donated food, and there was a lot of barbecuing.

“This just became like a community center, a place for people to come and see normal for just a few hours every day. It was a happy, wonderful place and it started with two friends: one from the Salvation Army and one from the Red Cross,” Deborah said.

After a disaster, there’s a lot to do: sheltering, feeding, assistance with insurance, case work, mental health, cleaning debris, cutting trees, figuring out how to get back to a normal life. And in each one of these steps, there’s a different organization that can help.

“There’s so much to do that no organization can do it all on their own, and no one should have to,” said Joann Woody, Red Cross mass care program manager for Missouri.

By working together and coordinating efforts, disaster organizations can assist communities effectively, fulfill their mission and avoid duplicating services.

“We all know each other: it’s like working with family. If someone raises the red flag, we are all going to be there together and help out,” Joann said.

Among the many Red Cross partners is United Way 211 of Greater Kansas City, which connects survivors, donors, volunteers and emergency managers with their call center system. By feeding information in a huge database, United Way volunteers are able to identify the needs and resources available, connecting people to the most appropriate source.

“There’s a constant flow or information coming in after a disaster and things can change quickly,” said Gary Thurman, United Way 211 director in Kansas City. “There’s a lot of people out there doing a whole lot of good. If you just had your life turned upside down by a disaster and you need some help, we can connect you to those different organizations, help you navigate through all these different resources with the least amount of frustration.”

Immediately after a disaster, it’s common for organizations to gather in multi-agency resources centers to help survivors.

It is a one stop shop where families can talk with nonprofits, insurance companies, state agencies and mental health groups and figure out their next steps to recovery. These  centers wouldn’t be possible without the help of another Red Cross partner: Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph.

“We all have the same goal of working with the survivors so they can become self-sufficient. And the more support they have, the better off they will be.  We understand that other nonprofits are great in what they do, so we utilize their talents in their areas of expertise so we can shine in our area of expertise,” said Kisha Thomas, Welcome Center director for Catholic Charities of Kansas City – St. Joseph.

In order to coordinate efforts and ensure organizations are in sync in a disaster response, there needs to be constant communication.

One of the ways to do this is through the Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD),  a national movement founded in the 1970s. With over 100 member organizations, including the Red Cross, and representation at the state and local level, this movement is guided by the principles of cooperation, communication, coordination and collaboration.

The Missouri VOAD is well-known for its excellent work and collaboration. The secret to success? According to Jody Dickhaut, Missouri VOAD chairman, it’s all about “rock star”organizations working together.

Aside from chairing the state VOAD, Jody also is a member of the Adventist Community Services, a longtime partner with Red Cross in disaster response.

Most recently, members of the Adventist group worked with the Red Cross to help Missouri flood survivors maneuver through the various agencies at the multi-agency resource centers set up in various towns where there had been flooding.

Jody said he realized years ago that it’s about organizations working together with the common goal of helping others while watching a TV interview with Joe Walsh, one of the members of the Eagles rock group.

When asked about the group’s success, Joe said that while most  rock bands have a single lead singer, whose ego can grow and hinder the collaborative nature of the band, the Eagles didn’t have one lead singer, they had four.

As much as they were all rock stars, they could never create on their own as individual artists what they could create together as a team. It was a matter of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts.

“When you transfer that to the disaster world – The Red Cross, Adventist Community Services, Catholic Charities… every one of them is a rock star organization, they have so much capacity,” Jody said.  “But when we work together we can create something even better.  We’re not just adding our own capacity we’re exponentially growing.”

To view a video about Red Cross partners go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7wgWiJgDQQ&feature=youtu.be

Thousands of people have responded to the American Red Cross emergency call for blood and platelet donations in early July, but there continues to be a critical summer blood shortage.

After issuing the emergency call, the Red Cross experienced a 30 percent increase in blood donation appointments through mid-July. About half of the appointments were scheduled by donors using the free Blood Donor App or at redcrossblood.org.

As a special thank you, those who donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross from July 26 through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard™.*

 Despite this improvement, blood products are still being distributed to hospitals as fast as donations are coming in, so more donations are needed to meet patient needs and replenish the blood supply.

“The blood supply is like a cell phone battery, it constantly needs recharging,” said Joe Zydlo, external communications manager of the Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives and encourage those who haven’t to consider rolling up a sleeve and give the gift of life. It only takes about an hour but can mean a lifetime for patients.”

Nearly 61,000 fewer blood donations than needed were given through the Red Cross in May and June, prompting the emergency call in early July. The shortfall was the equivalent of the Red Cross not receiving any blood donations for more than four days.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities through August 15 in the Greater Kansas City Chapter service area:

 JULY 26
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Kansas City Fire Department, 6750 Eastwood Trafficway, Kansas City.
7 a.m. – Noon, Missouri Department of Transportation, 600 NE Colbern Rd., Lees Summit.

JULY 27
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., City Center Square, 1100 Main Street, Kansas City.

JULY 28
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Red Cross Chapter, 211 W. Armour Blvd, Kansas City.

JULY 29
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Apostolic Church of God, 1911 Hardesty Ave., Kansas City.
1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Spartan Athletics, 725 NW Commerce Dr., Lees Summit

JULY 31
2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Victory Christian Fellowship, 903 W Walnut St., Waverly.

AUG. 3
9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Kansas City Courthouse, 415 E. 12^th St., Kansas City.
2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Presbyterian Disciples Church, 914 Franklin Ave, Lexington.

AUG 4
1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Hy Vee-Liberty, 109 N. Blue Jay Dr., Liberty.

AUG. 7
Noon – 4 p.m., North Kansas City YMCA, 1999 Iron, North Kansas City

AUG 9
9 a.m. – Noon, Adesa Kansas City, 15511 Adesa Dr., Belton.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m., zTrip, 1316 E. 14th St., Kansas City.

AUG. 10
10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Heritage Biologics Inc., 255 NW Victoria Dr., Lees Summit.

 

The American Red Cross will host a “Military and Veterans Family Day” on Saturday, July 15. The free workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the chapter’s offices at 211 W. Armour Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.

Sessions for both adults and children will focus on reconnecting military members and veterans with their families. Those interested in attending may register at http://bit.ly/2r316wy.

 “Often those who have served in the military need tools to help them deal with the stress of reuniting with their families,” says Jason Ramlow, regional director of the Service to the Armed Forces of the Red Cross.

“We will offer a workshop for adults on how to better communicate with spouses and family members, and another session for children will help them learn to reconnect with parents who have been deployed or away from home.”

In hosting this event, the Red Cross is partnering with the Missouri Humanities Council, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Veterans Community Project and the Mid-Continent Public Library.

The Veterans Community Project will be showcasing one of their tiny homes at this event. Stop by and write a note for veteran, welcoming them to their new home.

The Red Cross’ commitment to members of the U.S. military, its veterans and their families continues to grow and develop more than a century after founder Clara Barton first recruited nurses to support the Army.

Today, the Red Cross is meeting the needs of a changing military and expanding services to veterans. Red Cross support of military members and their families enhances morale and contributes to increased operational capability in several ways.

Whether delivering comfort items to ill or injured service members at a military hospital, providing mental health skill-building workshops to military families, or assisting families during an emergency, Red Cross volunteers are there for our military 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives.

Blood donations have fallen short of expectations nationally for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.

Blood shortages often worsen around Independence Day due to many fewer volunteer-hosted blood drives at places of work, worship or community gathering, and this year is no exception. Nearly 700 fewer blood drives are scheduled during the Independence Day week than the weeks before and after the holiday.

Overall, the summer months are among the most challenging for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they vacation and participate in summer activities. In a recent survey of Red Cross blood donors, more than 73 percent indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after Independence Day.

Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant procedures, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect nearly 14,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country.

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross has added more than 25,000 appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors.

Here is the list of donation sites in the Kansas City Metro Area for the month of July:

MISSOURI
Blue Springs
July 21: Noon-4 p.m., Outlaw Harley Davidison, 3100 Northwest Jefferson.

Independence
July 7: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Pizza Ranch, 4660 Bass Pro Drive.
July 17: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., US Bank Noland Road Branch, 3640 South Noland Road.
July 21: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Bass Pro Shop Independence, 18001 Bass Pro Drive.
July 25, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Genesis Health Clubs, 3850 South Crackerneck Road.

Kansas City
July 9: 9:30 a.m-1:30 p.m., Highlands Community of Christ Church, 7615 North Platte Purchase Drive. (In memory of Marta Smith)
July 10: 2 p.m.-6 p.m., KCI Crossfit, 10601 Northwest Ambassador Drive, Suite G.
July 15: 10 a.m.-7 p.m, Swope Parkway Church of Christ, 5620 Swope Parkway.
July 18: 3 p.m-7 p.m., Genesis Health Clubs, 8600 Ward Parkway, Suite 7.
July 20: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Kansas City City Hall , 414 East 12^th Street.
July  21: 8 a.m.-Noon, Boilermakers Local 83, 5910 East 86^th Street.
July 24: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium- Shark Week Extravaganza, 2475 Grand Blvd.
July 25: 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Greek Orthodox Church-Annunciation, 12001 Wornall Road.

Kearney
July 20: 1 p.m.-5 p.m., KCB Bank, 950 West 92 Highway.

KANSAS
Atchison
July 10: 2:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 603 North 8^th Street.

Basehor
July 17: 2 p.m.-6 p.m., Basehor Community Library, 1400 158^th Street.

Kansas City
July 6: Noon-4 p.m., AT&T Mobility, 10620 Parallel Parkway.

Leawood
July 6: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Creative One, 11460 Tomahawk Creek Parkway.
July 22: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 4501 West 119^th Street.

Mission
July 13: 8 a.m.-Noon, Vin Solutions, 5700 Broadmoor, 9^th Floor.

Olathe
July 6: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Aberdeen Village, 17500 West 119^th Street.
July 11: 4 p.m.-8 p.m., 151^st Street Church of Christ, 13875 West 151^st Street.
July 12: 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Bass Pro Shop Olathe, 12051 Bass Pro Drive.
July 22: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 14500 151^st Street.

Overland Park
July 7: 11:30 p.m.-6 p.m., Overland Park Regional Medical Center, 10500 Quivira Road.
July 14: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Security Bank of Kansas City, 7500 West 95^th Street.
July 15: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 12251 Antioch Road.
July 20: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Menorah Medical Center, 5721 West 119^th Street.
July 25: 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Lifetime Fitness OP, 6800 West 138^th Street.

Prairie Village
July 11: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., US Bank Mission Road Branch, 6940 Mission Road.

Shawnee
July 24: 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Genesis Health Clubs, 11311 West Shawnee Mission Parkway.

The American Red Cross urges those in the Western Missouri Region who have never given blood before –  as well as those who haven’t given recently – to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now and help sustain a sufficient community blood supply this summer.

While the need for blood is constant during the summer months, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in new donors. Many schools where blood drives are held – and where new donors give – are not in session, and current donors often delay giving due to summer vacation plans.

In Missouri, 39 percent fewer new blood donors came out to give last summer than during the rest of the year. In Kansas, that number was 42 percent fewer, and nationally it was 32 percent.

 While about 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood, less than 10 percent of those eligible actually do. The blood donation process takes about an hour with the actual donation only taking about 10 minutes. Whether you are new to donating blood or a lifelong donor, the Red Cross offers helpful tips for an enjoyable donation experience:

• As much as possible, eat iron-rich foods leading up to your donation.
• Drink an extra 16 ounces of liquid before and after the donation.
• Have a healthy meal before the donation.
• Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
• Complete a RapidPass at org/rapidpass on the day of donation, prior to arriving, to save time.
• Remember to bring a picture ID, blood donor card or two other forms of identification.

“Every day, we have thousands of lives to help save, but blood and platelet donations often do not keep pace with hospital demand during the summer months,” said Joe Zydlo, Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region spokesman. “In less time than it can take to go out to eat, you can make a lifesaving difference for cancer patients, accident victims and others in need.”

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

MISSOURI
Kansas City: June 2, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Red Cross Chapter, 211 W. Armour Blvd.

KANSAS
Leavenworth: June 3, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., VFW Post 56, 523 Cherokee St.
Kansas City: June 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Earp Distribution, 2730 S. 98th St.
Bonner Springs: June 13, 3 p.m.-7 p.m., Elm Grove Baptist Church, 15774 Linwood Rd.

Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.