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News of interest to ARCRA members

  • 10/02/2020 9:58 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Blood Drives were already being canceled in unprecedented numbers during this pandemic and now recent disasters have compounded ongoing challenges to maintaining a sufficient supply of blood products for hospital patients in need of life-saving transfusions. To help restock hospital shelves, the Red Cross urges eligible individuals unaffected by these disasters to give blood, platelets or plasma for patients in need.

    In addition, the Red Cross is urging COVID-19 survivors to give their plasma to help patients battling coronavirus. With only 2% of the U.S. population testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, there are a limited number of individuals who may be eligible to give convalescent plasma. Although the efficacy of the treatment is still being studied, Glinda Miller of Canton, Ohio is convinced that a transfusion helped her to beat COVID. Unable to breathe or talk to her family by phone, she received plasma and “By Saturday, I could already breathe easier and by Sunday I was off the oxygen. I went home on Monday.”

    Think about scheduling an appointment to donate by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

  • 10/02/2020 9:51 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Many of us are interested in getting updates on Red Cross work - ongoing disaster operations, impact of COVID 19, new initiatives, etc. ARCRA webinars provide the opportunity to stay connected either by logging in through the webinar link, or listen in by phone.  If you have missed the last couple of webinars, you can read summaries by clicking here.  In addition, if you have ideas for future topics, please email us at admin@arcretireeassoc.org.

    Topic: The Next Steps in Our Journey for an Inclusive American Red Cross

    Opening Speaker: Steve D. Bullock…38 year career at Red Cross including Acting President, succeeding Elizabeth Dole.

    Panelists:

    • Tony Polk…15-year career at Red Cross including First Vice President and Diversity Officer for NHQ
    • Debbera (Dee) Hayward…long career including Senior Director Corporate Diversity. Past president ARCRA Washington/Baltimore Group.
    • Jim Thomas…currently in 60th year of involvement with Red Cross including Corporate EEO Officer
    • Floyd Pitts, J.D….since 2009, Senior Vice-President and Chief Diversity Officer for the Red Cross.

      If you haven’t yet participated in a webinar, put this next event on your calendar.
  • 09/22/2020 10:56 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to assist people being impacted by major disasters across the country. Red Cross retirees with their background, experience and knowledge of Red Cross are volunteers who can hit the ground running.

    Volunteers are needed for two-week shelter work assignments.  Volunteers with licensing in the medical field are also needed.  

    The Red Cross is currently setting up additional shelters in hurricane and fire disaster impacted areas.  The greatest need is to have shelter workers.  To help keep safe distances in the shelters during the pandemic, shelters are typically larger, spaces out facilities like gymnasiums or convention halls.

    Based on our Red Cross experience, we know the disaster recovery work will continue for at least two to three months. 

    Interested in volunteering?  Click here to get more information and sign up


  • 09/10/2020 11:32 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    by Christie Phillips

    Massive wildfires are burning out of control in California, Oregon and Washington, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes, many with only a few minutes notice. The American Red Cross is on the ground, helping those affected by this unprecedented situation.

    In Oregon, more than 348,000 acres are burning, and in Washington, fires have scorched as many as 330,000 acres in just 24 hours. In California, at least 25 major fires are burning from Northern California to the Mexican border — with about 800 miles between the most distant fires. While some of the older fires in California are under control, the new Creek Fire near Fresno has already consumed more than 152,000 acres.

    Power outages are growing rapidly due to both public safety shutdowns and fire damage. Wildfires are also burning in Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Much of the western part of the country is facing critical fire weather conditions including high winds and hot, dry weather.  

    The Red Cross is working alongside partners and local officials to make sure people have a safe place to stay. On Tuesday, September 8, the Red Cross and our partners provided more than 1,500 people with safe refuge from the wildfires in emergency lodgings, including shelters and, in some cases, hotels.

    Red Cross volunteers are also supporting temporary evacuation points, which are sites dedicated to directing evacuees to the best sheltering option for their individual needs. Hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers are helping evacuees cope, both on the ground and virtually. This includes replacing prescription medications, eyeglasses or other medical equipment.

    Read more here

  • 09/10/2020 11:09 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Washington Post has published a guide to registering and voting my mail or in person for all 50 states.  Click on the site, enter your state and indicate how you intend to vote.  The guide will give you deadlines and additional information specific to your state.

    Click here to check out the Washington Post Guide to Voting

  • 09/04/2020 10:11 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    By Michael Carroll

    Thinking about “giving back” now that you’re retired? The Retiree Association might have the opportunity you’ve been looking for!

    Contributing Writers

    Always wanted to write front-page stories? Contributing Writers create educational and interesting stories for our eNewsletter, print newsletter and website. We need two “beat” reporters to regularly cover the “Red Cross Mission Work” and “Senior Living” beats. We need additional Contributing Writers who will contribute stories from time to time.

    Board & Committee Members

    • Most of ARCRA’S work gets done in one of our committees; the more retiree participation that we have, the better job we’ll do for our members.
    • In addition, we will be reviewing candidates for the ARCRA board at our October 21 meeting; nominations will be subsequently shared with members for voting.
    • For a detailed description of board and committee responsibilities and additional information about the other volunteer opportunities noted, email Nominations Chair Michael Carroll at carrollm1298@gmail.com


  • 08/25/2020 3:08 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The rules and regulations for voting by mail are stricter than showing up at the polls and voting in person.  Some 200 million Americans are eligible to vote by mail and millions are expected to take advantage of voting by mail to protect their health.  If this is your first time voting by mail follow these six steps to protect your vote:

    1. Request your ballot EARLY.  Voters in nine states and the District of Columbia will receive ballots in the mail automatically.  The rest of us are required to ask for a mail ballot from election officials.

    2. Read the instructions and contact election officials if you are confused.  Election officials typically include instructions with each mail in ballot.  Read them and follow them carefully to make sure you don't miss a step.

    3. If you sign your name, consider signature matching.  Some states verify your ballot by matching your signature to your signature on file with the government, for example the signature on your driver's license or your original voter registration card. 

    4. Avoid stray marks, tears or mistakes that could disqualify your ballot.  Follow the instructions concerning ink color, areas to mark or sign, and directions on how to place the ballot inside the return envelope.  Contact your local election office if you make a mistake.  DO NOT CROSS OUT or CORRECT.

    5. Return your ballot as soon as possible.

    6.  If you are confused contact your election officials.  Go to their website or call their office and get in touch with them directly.  They are responsible for making sure that you have accurate information.

    Read more at The Washington Post

    Check out this state-by-state voting guide on AARP

  • 08/17/2020 5:28 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    With less than 45 days to go, nearly 4 in 10 Americans are still uncounted.  Everyone should be counted in the census because it is used to determine congressional representation and draw congressional and state legislative districts. Responding to the census helps your community get its fair share of hundreds of billions in federal funds for schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.  

    Coronavirus caused the Census Bureau to get a late start and in August the Census Bureau announced that the deadline for people to complete 2020 census survey forms had been moved up to September 30, a month sooner than the previous end date of October 31.

    Complete your census form today!

    Step 1: Respond by going to my2020census.gov. You can choose to take the census in one of 13 different languages.

    Step 2: Enter the 12-digit Census ID listed on the census form you received in the mail. If you have not received a census form in the mail, you will see a link at the bottom of the page that says If you do not have a census ID, click here.

    Step 3: Follow the prompt to the complete questionnaire. You will be asked basic information about the adults, children, and babies that live at your current address. *Include EVERYONE who lives at the listed address, not only family members*

    Step 4: Confirm that all the information you provided is correct. Press SUBMIT.

    The Census Bureau is collecting your information securely, and your answers are completely confidential.

    To respond online please click HERE.

    To respond via telephone, please click HERE.




  • 08/04/2020 11:44 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Tropical Storm Isaias moved north along the eastern seaboard this week after coming ashore in South and North  Carolina. The American Red Cross is responding and urges everyone in the path of this storm to stay informed and be prepared. Details can be found on redcross.org

    In the Bahamas, the Red Cross is helping evacuees and standing by to assist with damage assessment as needed. Red Cross workers distributed food boxes to vulnerable communities and areas prone to losing power. The boxes contained shelf stable food items and ingredients for cooking, as well as hand sanitizer and more. The Red Cross is also supporting a local shelter where more than 30 people sought safety and set up a 24-hour virtual Emergency Operations Center.


  • 07/31/2020 1:57 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    On July 30, 2020, President Donald Trump encouraged plasma donations after touring the Dr. Drew Blood Donation Center. Transfusing plasma from people who have recovered from Covid-19 into a patient still fighting the virus can boost the patient's immune system and help them recover.   Attending the Health Expert Roundtable in the Hall of Service at the American Red Cross were:  

    • President Donald Trump   
    • Red Cross CEO and President Gail McGovern   
    • Secretary of HHS Alex Azar   
    • FDA Commissioner Dr. Steven Hahn   
    • Dr. Anthony Fauci   
    • Dr. Francis Collins   
    • Dr. Deborah Birx   
    • Surgeon General Jerome Adams   
    • CEO of America’s Blood Centers Kate Fry   
    • CEO of CSL Limited Paul Perreault   
    • CEO of LabCorp Adam Schechter  

    Watch PBS coverage of the visit

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