Storm’s impact results in urgent need for blood and platelet donations across country
The devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew are still causing great suffering in several states, including North Carolina, where deadly floods have cut off entire communities. The American Red Cross has mobilized a widespread sheltering effort spanning four states and has provided more overnight stays in shelters then after Superstorm Sandy.
40 volunteers from the Western and Central New York Region are among the more than 3,000 Red Cross disaster workers currently supporting the responses, with more volunteers, vehicles and supplies being mobilized across the country to supplement the relief efforts:
| NAME | CHAPTER/HOMETOWN | STATE |
| John Thomas Aldsach | Central New York/Canastota | Florida |
| Harry Dashnau | Central New York/Baldwinsville | Florida |
| William Looft | Central New York/Onieda | Florida |
| Marlene Ryan | Central New York/Syracuse | Florida |
| Jeffery Baldwin | Central New York/Oswego | Georgia |
| Paul Killius | Central New York/Jamesville | Georgia |
| John Rapacke | Central New York/Marcellus | Georgia |
| Patricia Smarzo | Central New York/Marcellus | Georgia |
| Gary Toth | Central New York/Mexico | Georgia |
| Judy Coleman | Finger Lakes/Corning | Georgia |
| Donna Davis | Finger Lakes/Burdett | South Carolina |
| James Robinson | Greater Rochester/East Rochester | Georgia |
| Heather Gray | Greater Rochester/Rochester | North Carolina |
| Elena Kleinhenz | Greater Rochester/Geneseo | North Carolina |
| Sarah Perkins | Greater Rochester/Pittsford | South Carolina |
| Mark Sennett | Greater Rochester/Fairport | South Carolina |
| Sarah Sennett | Greater Rochester/Fairport | South Carolina |
| Richard Stirpe | Greater Rochester/Webster | South Carolina |
| Jeanne Frey | Southern Tier/Binghamton | Florida |
| Joseph Stover | Southern Tier/Dryden | Florida |
| Peter Zelno | Southern Tier/Vestal | Florida |
| Michael Thomas | Southern Tier/Ithaca | Georgia |
| Hasan Al-Dukhkhani | Southern Tier/Vestal | North Carolina |
| Kathleen Ives | Southern Tier/Greene | North Carolina |
| Michael Parker | Southern Tier/Freeville | North Carolina |
| Linda Callahan | Southern Tier/Newfield | South Carolina |
| Lee Campfield | Southern Tier/Apalachin | South Carolina |
| Charles Haupt | Southern Tier/Owego | South Carolina |
| Sandra Smith | Southern Tier/Owego | South Carolina |
| Qifan Yang | Southern Tier/Vestal | South Carolina |
| Diane Sargent | Western New York/Lockport | Florida |
| Charlene Hanson | Western New York/Niagara Falls | Georgia |
| Vincent Jacob | Western New York/Amherst | Georgia |
| Kassy Steiger | Western New York/Amherst | Georgia |
| Joshua Horton | Western New York/Cuba | North Carolina |
| Jacqueline May | Western New York/Colden | North Carolina |
| Elaine Universal | Western New York/Eden | North Carolina |
| Anonymous | Western New York | South Carolina |
| Gwendolyn Gonzalez | Western New York/Lockport | South Carolina |
| Robert Klinshaw | Western New York/Lockport | South Carolina |
Nearly 4,500 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida woke up Wednesday morning in 77 Red Cross and community shelters. The number of people in North Carolina shelters doubled Monday night. Since Hurricane Matthew first threatened the U.S., Red Cross and community partners have served more than 356,000 meals and snacks, distributed nearly 16,000 relief items, and provided nearly 79,000 overnight stays in shelters.
HOW TO HELP
MAKE A DONATION The Red Cross depends on donations to provide immediate relief. Help people affected by Hurricane Matthew by visitingredcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word MATTHEW to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Learn more about the Red Cross response to Hurricane Matthew here.
GIVE BLOOD, PLATELETS In parts of the country unaffected by the storm, the Red Cross needs eligible individuals to please give blood or platelets now to help ensure we have a readily available blood supply for patients in need. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visitingredcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.orgor visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.