Cabarrus County Red Cross

Ready Kids Camp a BIG Hit!

2010-07-08T15:03:00.006-04:00

Campers can still sign up for the Ready Kids Camp @ Mt Pleasant Elementary School, Tuesday, July 27th - all other camps are full with waiting lists. Camps held in Concord and Kannapolis during June were a big success. The K-5th graders learned about preparing for disaster, responding to emergencies and about the interaction of our county wide emergency response agencies. Ready Kids Camp is free, supported by a grant from NC Citizens Corp. Fun activities such as bandaging a wound, visiting the Fire Safety House, making a 'tornado in a bottle' are included - complete the registration form and return to cabarrusredcross068@ctc.net

Stay safe during this hot weather

2010-07-06T13:45:00.002-04:00

In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including floods. A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity. Generally temperatures are 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for the region during summer months, last for a long period of time and occur with high humidity as well.

Know the Difference Excessive Heat Watch—Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local Excessive Heat Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.

Excessive Heat Warning—Heat Index values are forecast to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs=105-110° Fahrenheit).

Heat Advisory—Heat Index values are forecast to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs=100-105° Fahrenheit).

How can I prepare?

Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes.
The heat index is the temperature the body feels when the effects of heat and humidity are combined. Exposure to direct sunlight can increase the heat index by as much as 15° F.
Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for wherever you spend time— home, work and school—and prepare for the possibility of power outages.
Check the contents of your emergency preparedness kit in case a power outage occurs.
Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.
If you do not have air conditioning, choose places you could go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).
Be aware that people living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a prolonged heat wave than are people living in rural areas.
Get trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies.
Ensure that your animals’ needs for water and shade are met

What should I do during a heat wave?
Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
Eat small meals and eat more often.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
Postpone outdoor games and activities.
Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
Check on your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.
Recognize and care for heat related emergencies
Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen caused by exposure to high heat and humidity and loss of fluids and electrolytes. Heat cramps are often an early sign that the body is having trouble with the heat.
Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids.
Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse. Heat exhaustion typically involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise or physical labor in high heat and humidity.
Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness; and exhaustion.
Move the person to a cooler place.
Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin.
Fan the person. If the person is conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition.
If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Heat stroke (also known as sunstroke) is a life-threatening condition in which a person’s temperature control system stops working and the body is unable to cool itself.
Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature.
Heat stroke is life-threatening. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by giving care as you would for heat exhaustion. If needed, continue rapid cooling by applying ice or cold packs wrapped in a cloth to the wrists, ankles, groin, neck and armpits.

Register now for Camp Ready Kids

2010-06-02T19:32:00.007-04:00

Register your first- through fifth-graders for Camp Ready Kids, a disaster preparedness and safety camp.

Bring a bag lunch each day. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Find a camp date/location below, then click the link for a registration form.

June 22-23 - full

8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Concord Fire Station #8
1486 Old Charlotte Road, Concord

Register Now!

Activities include:

Build a disaster kit
Make a disaster plan
First aid station
Gun safety
Canine demonstration
Weather experiment
Fire safety house
Fire prevention
Water safety
Bicycle safety

June 29-30

8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
New Hope Lutheran Church
1516 Brantley Road, Kannapolis

Register Now!

Activities include:

Build a disaster kit
Make a disaster plan
First aid station
Gun safety
Weather experiment
Fire safety house
Fire prevention
Water safety
Canine rescue demo

July 20-21

(Filling up fast!)
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Concord Fire Station #9
1020 Ivey Cline Road, Concord
Register Now!

Activities include:

Build a disaster kit
Make a disaster plan
First aid station
Gun safety
Weather experiment
Fire safety house
Fire prevention
Water safety
Bicycle safety

July 27

8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School
8325 Highway 49, Mount Pleasant

Register Now!

Activities include:

Build a disaster kit
Make a disaster plan
First aid station
Weather experiment
Fire prevention
Gun safety

July 28

(Filling up fast!)
8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Harrisburg United Methodist Church
4560 Highway 49 South, Harrisburg

Register Now!

Activities include:

Build a disaster kit
Make a disaster plan
First aid station
Canine demonstration
Weather experiment
Fire prevention
Gun safety

For more information, call (704) 720-7423.

Response and Relief pictures from Haiti

2010-01-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

American Red Cross pledges support for Haiti Response and Relief

2010-01-15T21:26:00.002-05:00

On January 12, 2010, a series of earthquakes with magnitude 6.5 to 7.3 struck Haiti in the highly populated area of Department Ouest, 10 miles from Port-au-Prince. Aftershocks are continuing to occur. current media reports indicate collapsed buildings including hopsitals and govenment buildings, and that the earthquake was felf as far a Cuba. How you can help Your monetary gift is the best way for you to support the international response. Donate on line at this website to register your gift for victims of Haiti - noting 'support for Haiti earthquake victims'. American Red Cross response to Haiti The American Red Cross has pledged $10 million to assist those in Haiti. The Red Cross is also:
making available all the relief supplies at its wearhouse in Panama (enough for 5,000 families) in support of relief efforts. These supplies include blankets, kitchen sets, and water containers to meet immediate needs of survivors.
sending a disaster specialist immediately to Haiti to support response efforts.
putting several experienced disaster specialists on standby to be deployed if requested.
putting staff on the ground in Haiti working to obtain information on the situation.
monitoring the situation and communicate with the Haiti Red Cross and International Federation for future immediate action.

Red Cross urging donors to give blood during critical time

2010-01-13T15:45:00.004-05:00

TYPE O NEG AND B NEG BLOOD LEVELS DROP TO EMERGENCY LEVELS

As a result of the recent bad weather across the country, on the heels of the holiday season, the blood supply has drastically decreased in the Carolinas Region. Type O negative and type B negative blood supplies have dropped to emergency levels and help is needed now! Since type O negative blood can be used for any patient when there is not time to determine the patient’s blood type, it is crucial that there is a sufficient supply.

Wednesday: January 13, 2010
Best Buy-Afton Ridge
6310 Bayfield Pkwy
Concord
1 pm - 5:30

Monday: January 18, 2010
First Presbyterian-Cabarrus VIP
39 Church Street
Concord
2:30 - 7pm

Friday: January 22, 2010
Lowes Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Parkway South
Concord
12:30 - 5pm

Friday: January 29, 2010
Chick-fil A
985 Concord Commons
Concord
11:00am - 3:30 pm

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 103 hospitals and must have 1,600 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.

The Red Cross encourages people who are in good health to donate so that hospital patients have the blood or platelets they need to make a full recovery. Blood is needed to help treat a variety of patients including accident victims and individuals undergoing surgery and cancer treatment.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

For additional information on giving blood, sponsoring a blood drive or volunteering with our blood collections program, please contact Danielle giveblood4redcross@ctc.net or 704-725-7425.

American Red Cross assists victims of Haiti earthquake

2010-01-13T15:17:00.007-05:00

On January 12, 2010, a series of earthquakes with magnitude 6.5 to 7.3 struck Haiti in the highly populated area of Department Ouest, 10 miles fro Port-au-Prince. Aftershocks are continuing to occur.

current media reports indicate collapsed buildings including hopsitals and govenment buildings, and that the earthquake was felf as far a Cuba.

How you can help

Your monetary gift is the best way for you to support the international response. Donate on line at this website to register your gift for victims of Haiti - noting 'support for Haiti earthquake victims'.

American Red Cross response to Haiti

The American Red Cross has pledged $1 million to assist those in Haiti. The Red Cross is also:

making available all the relief supplies at its wearhouse in Panama (enough for 5,000 families) in support of relief efforts. These supplies include blankets, kitchen sets, and water containers to meet immediate needs of survivors.

sending a disaster specialist immediately to Haiti to support response efforts.

putting several experienced disaster specialists on standby to be deployed if requested.

putting staff on the ground in Haiti working to obtain information on the situation.

monitoring the situation and communicate with the Haiti Red Cross and International Federation for future immediate action.

Red Cross assists Staff Sgt Dion with travel home

2009-12-30T15:29:00.009-05:00

Staff Sgt James Dion arrived at Charlotte Douglas Airport at 10:30 am on Monday, December 29, 2009. This unexpected travel – and holiday gift for his family – is because Dion’s mother-in-law, Evelyn Barbee, is facing her final days. Mrs. Barbee, who is diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, suffered a broken hip on Christmas Eve. A request for the serviceman’s presence in North Carolina at first seemed impossible, but Saturday morning Debbie Dion learned her husband would arrive in Charlotte at 10:30 am on Monday morning. “My husband is so important to my mom, they are so close and his arrive will mean a great deal to her,” stated Debbie Dion. Friends of the family have made arrangements to pick up the Army Staff Sgt Dion at Charlotte Douglas Airport so Mrs. Dion’s family can stay at the side of her mother. Dion is currently serving a third tour of duty in Iraq and did not expect to receive approval for leave. The emergency request for travel was initiated by the American Red Cross staff in Cabarrus County as a result of Mrs. Barbee terminal condition and the complications of her broken hip. The American Red Cross facilitates emergency communications for military families 365 days of the year. This year’s Christmas Eve message is especially meaningful for both the family and the Red Cross. “We are always happy to support our military families in any way we can. But this message – and this family need – on Christmas Eve was especially meaningful,” stated Karen Long, Director of Response and caseworker on duty when the initial call was received. Service to Armed Forces staff & volunteer caseworkers provide 24 hour access to this important service to our community’s military families. Community members in need of assistance from the Red Cross can contact the American Red Cross of Cabarrus County by phone at 704.782.9022 or visit the offices at 167 Union Street South, Concord, NC, 28025

American Red Cross recognizes veterans on 68th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

2009-12-09T09:53:00.006-05:00

Concord NC, December 7th - Dr. Hector Henry MD speaks to veterans and guests attending a dinner honoring the the 68th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The dinner event was hosted by the American Red Cross, Cabarrus County and Crescent Heights Independent Retirement Living community. Approximately 60 people attended the dinner where the service of past and current service men & women was recognized. Mr Mike Barbee provided entertainment and Premier healthcare services and Crescent Heights provided each veteran with a care package.

Community members who would like to join the work of our volunteers in supporting service men, women and their families can join our chapter as a volunter. Enrollment and orientation information is available on the volunteer page of this website.

2009-11-10T14:43:00.002-05:00

Look for the Holiday Giving Catalog - to help you give to the Red Cross when you give gifts to friends and family.

Need for blood out strips donation this Summer

2009-08-11T15:00:00.000-04:00

The American Red Cross urges individuals to donate blood as soon as possible. The current blood supply has dropped critically low throughout the Southeast. Donors of all blood types are welcome, but there is an urgent need for type O negative, B negative and A negative blood donors.

Sunday , Aug 23, 2009
Cold Springs UMC
2550 Cold Springs Rd.
Concord
12:00-4:00 pm

Thursday ,Aug 27, 2009
Carolina Mall-Concord
1480 Concord Parkway North
Concord
12:30-6:00 pm

Sunday , Aug, 30, 2009
Oak Ridge Baptist Church
5340 Flowes Store Rd
Concord
12:30- 5:00 pm

In the summer, blood shortages often occur because individual donations decrease, along with the number of organizations that are able to sponsor blood drives. The absence of high school and college blood drives also contributes to this annual drop in donations because these drives account for approximately 20 percent of all donations.

“Collecting enough blood to meet hospitals’ needs during the summer is always a challenge,” stated Joyce Brendel, interim chief executive officer, American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “This is especially true this year as many donors are also dealing with business closings, lay-offs and other issues relating to our current economy. Unfortunately, the need for blood doesn’t go away.”

Brendel added, “Patients are dependent on the Red Cross and volunteer blood donors to make sure blood is available to patients in need. Without an im media te response from generous people in the community, our ability to provide the needed blood will be limited.”

Every two seconds someone in this country needs blood. That need for blood continues to grow each year far faster than the number of individuals who donate blood. Currently only 38% of the population is eligible to donate and only a fraction of those eligible actually do so. In the Carolinas Blood Services Region, the Red Cross must collect 1,600 units of blood each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients.

There is no substitute for blood, and the only source is from volunteer donors. Eligible blood donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. Donors with type O (positive and negative), B negative and A negative blood should consider an automated red cell donation, a process in which only red cells are donated.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Disaster Volunteers assist with chemical spill in Midland NC

2009-06-12T20:09:00.000-04:00

Concord, NC -- The American Red Cross of Cabarrus County is currently responding to an ethanol spill in Midland, NC . Around 8:00 a.m. on June 12, 2009, the Red Cross received a call from Cabarrus County Emergency Management asking for canteen and safe haven support in response to the disaster. Volunteers arrived at the Midland Volunteer Fire Department at 9:00 a.m., opening a reception/service center to provide safe haven for any families who were within the evacuation zone (within a half-mile radius of the spill.) The Red Cross is currently working to determine exactly how many homes were within the half-mile radius evacuation area. The service center is currently being utilized by at least one community member. The four Red Cross volunteers at the service center are also providing canteen support for the emergency workers responding to the clean-up.

As of 10:00 a.m., the service center has provided those on the scene with breakfast and snacks, and the Red Cross is currently making lunch preparations.

The American Red Cross of Cabarrus County will continue to update the community throughout the emergency via Twitter updates at CabCoRedCross. Community members in need of assistance from the Red Cross can contact the American Red Cross of Cabarrus County by phone at 704.782.9022 or visit the offices at 167 Union Street South, Concord, NC, 28025

Finalists Prepare for 2009 StarZ Competition

2009-03-23T03:00:00.000-04:00

Join the American Red Cross, Cabarrus County as we select the Third Annual America Red Cross StarZ winners Saturday, March 28th at JM Robinson High School, Concord NC , 6:00 pm. Twenty-eight finalists, in two age groups, were selected from the 97 who auditioned in February at Concord Mills Mall.

The finalists for the 6-12 year age group are: Brandi Alden; Ma’Niya Alexander; Ashton Brown; Lauryn Crowder; Anna Drage; Chloe Durham; Taylor Foley; Jacob Hammill; Hannah Lindsey; Baylie Mann; Isabella Massaro; Emily Rhyder; Tasia Sanderson; Alexis Sowards; and Hanna Thompson. The finalists for the 13+ age group are: Montreal Barnette; Ashley Brown; Rachel Correll; Trenton Durham; Sherry Gore; Lauren Hill; Shane Kindley; Anna Belle Lusk; Leslie Miller; Samantha Sandlin; Randi Sowards; Tarsha Williams; and Michael Whitaker. Each finalist is collecting donations for the American Red Cross as part of their participation in the competition. You can view each finalist on www.redcrossstarz.com; and vote with ‘dollar votes’ for your favorite! Several finalists can also be seen on our You Tube channel CabCoRedCross.

The StarZ Competition is held each year to raise awareness and financial support for the work of our local Red Cross. Last year the Red Cross assisted 50 families in Cabarrus County who’s homes were destroyed by fire or flood; this year we have helped 38 families affected by fire and 25 families whose home flooded. The American Red Cross touches approximately 15,000 people in Cabarrus County each year – and we do that with the help of your family, you neighbors and hopefully YOU. Join us for a fun and entertaining night on 3-28-09 @ JM Robinson High School; 300 Pitts School Road, Concord . Admission is $5.00. Tickets are available at our office, on our website and the night of the event.

The American Red Cross thanks Philip Morris, USA as lead sponsor; Suburban Extended Stay/Wingate Inns, Great Wolf Lodge, CMC-Northeast, Concord Heating & Air, Cabarrus Bank & Trust, Newberry, Gordon & Shuford CPA’s, BJW Architecture, Inc, and Independent Tribune as sponsors for this year’s StarZ Competition. Reach the American Red Cross, Cabarrus County at 704-782-9022; 167 Union Street, South, Concord NC 28025; www.cabarruscounty.redcross.org; or cabarrusredcross068@ctc.net.