Month: June 2021

Volunteer Spotlight: Nicole Pepper

On By American Red Cross of Alabama and MississippiIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Getting to know Red Cross volunteer, Central West Alabama Chapter board member and Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chairperson, Nicole Pepper

We love our volunteers! They are the backbone of the Red Cross, serving in countless ways to alleviate human suffering – from serving with the communications team, supporting our military and veterans, teaching classes to prepare our communities for disasters and responding to disasters no matter what time of day. We are thankful for their selfless service because without volunteers we wouldn’t be able to provide lifesaving services to our communities or make a difference everyday.

Red Crosser, Nicole Pepper, treasures the relationships she has made since she started volunteering. “I’ve met mentors, made dear friends and had the opportunity to meet people who are changing the world, one community at a time. It’s hard to walk away from Red Cross moments without feeling inspired.”

We wanted to get to know the Nicole behind the red vest, so we reached out to ask her a few questions and to find out what makes her so spectacular. Here’s what she had to say…

🔹 Three things on your bucket list:

Go fly fishing in Montana, host a make-your-own-pizza party, and to make all homemade Christmas gifts one year.

🔹 If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sweet potatoes – the closest one food can get to having all the nutrition you need. More importantly, it goes great with buffalo chicken dip, brown sugar, and just about everything else. 

🔹 What has been your favorite vacation?

Every local road trip I’ve ever taken. But if I had to pick a favorite it would be our spontaneous trip to Brooksville, Mississippi. It was a gorgeous, cool Saturday morning and I refused to stay inside, so I convinced my husband we should go to this Mennonite bakery in the middle of nowhere. To say it was worth it would be the understatement of the century, it was all so good we took several hundred pounds to-go and ate leftovers for weeks.

🔹 What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

When phones are more important than the people around you. Can’t say I haven’t done it, I think it’s completely unintentional, but that’s also kind of the worst part?

🔹 What do you love about your role in the Red Cross?

So hard to pick! Probably the relationships. I’ve met mentors, made dear friends, and gotten a chance to meet people who are changing the world one community at a time. It’s hard to walk away from Red Cross moments without feeling inspired, and it’s because of the people.

🔹 What is your favorite 90s song?

I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain. I don’t have HitClips anymore, but I do have a Spotify playlist called “Shania Twain Dance Party Vibes.”

🔹It’s the zombie apocalypse and you can only take one possession with you. What do you take? 

My hammock – it can double as a bed, blanket, tent, or even weapon (if you use the hooks). Plus, zombies or not, there’s nothing like a nap in the sunshine.

Our volunteers are simply AMAZING! Thank you for all that you do. So if you are reading this and you haven’t joined the team, what are you waiting for?? Visit redcross.org/volunteertoday and find your fit!

Celebrate the Fourth of July Safely

On By American Red Cross of Alabama and MississippiIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

By Deanne Winslett

The Fourth of July is right around the corner, and many Americans will celebrate Independence Day with barbecues, fireworks, and other holiday fun. Preserve the fun by celebrating the holiday safely and being mindful of firework, grill, and water safety best practices.

Fireworks Safety

Confirm that fireworks are legal in your area before using your own. Keep them away from children and never throw or point them toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials. Keep water available nearby in case you need it. The person lighting the fireworks should wear eye protection and only light one firework at a time, Don’t attempt to relight “dud” fireworks. Store fireworks away from children and pets in a cool, dry place.

Grilling Safety

Grilling fires are responsible for an average of over 10,000 home fires yearly in the U.S., but they can be prevented! Reduce your risk for a home fire by always supervising a barbecue grill when using it and don’t add charcoal starter fluid after the coals have been ignited. Never grill indoors in the house, a camper, a tent, or any enclosed area. Keep people, including children and pets, away from the grill, and keep the grill away from the house and anything flammable. Use long-handled cooking tools designed for use with a grill.

Water Safety

The weather is warming up and many people may plan to celebrate the holiday on the water. Supervise children closely and constantly when in or near water. Children, inexperienced swimmers, and boaters should wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Learn swimming and water survival skills and stick to swimming in lifeguarded areas. Pools and spas should be fenced with adequate barriers.

For more tips on water safety visit: RedCross.org/watersafety

June 19 is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day

On By American Red Cross of Alabama and MississippiIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
By Shane Dorrill

It’s estimated that more than 100,000 people in the U.S have sickle cell disease, making it the most common genetic blood disease. The disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes red blood cells, which are normally round, to become sickle or crescent shaped. The abnormally shaped cells have trouble passing through small blood vessels, which can cause severe pain and lead to tissue and organ damage, anemia and even strokes. Most individuals who have sickle cell disease are of African or Latino descent with 8-10% of African Americans having the sickle cell trait.

Blood transfusions provide a lifesaving treatment for sickle cell patients by increasing the number of normal red blood cells in the body. A single sickle cell patient may require multiple blood transfusions per year throughout their lifetime to treat complications from the disease.

To help supply the needed blood for these patients, the American Red Cross has launched the “Closing the Sickle Cell Gap” initiative, which is meant to empower the Black community to help provide compatible blood products for patients with sickle cell disease.

Currently, Black donors make up less than 4% of all Red Cross blood donors. This makes it difficult to ensure the right blood product is available at the right time for patients, especially those with sickle cell disease.

Earlier this year, the Red Cross expanded its testing of blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors to include the sickle cell trait. This allows the Red Cross to identify compatible blood donations faster for those who need them, while providing our Black donors with the insight of whether they carry the trait. Donors receive results to their blood screenings within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal.

To bring the “Closing the Sickle Cell Gap” initiative to life and make a meaningful difference for patients across the country, the Red Cross critically needs new and existing Black donors to give blood. Businesses and organizations within the Black community are also urged to host blood drives to help provide convenient locations for individuals to donate.

How Can You Help?

Schedule an appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or by enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo Device.

Recruit organizations that have diverse employees or members to host blood drives and support blood donation.

Set up a virtual blood drive on sleevesup.redcrossblood.org and encourage others to donate.

Educate and engage the people you know about the importance of blood donations.

Learn more at: RedCrossBlood.org/SickleCell