WASHINGTON — Hurricane Matthew is still pounding the Atlantic coast, even after being downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. The storm has left much destruction behind, and the need for help is great.
Financial donations are important, but other types of donations are needed, too. One immediate need is for blood and platelet donations, the Red Cross said, because the storm forced the cancellation of at least 30 blood drives in the southeastern part of the U.S. That amounts to about 1,300 blood and platelet donations that have gone uncollected.
Platelets help the body form clots to stop bleeding. They last only five days and are often needed by cancer patients.
More cancellations are likely because of the storm, the Red Cross said. But even before the storm, there was already an urgent need for all types of blood donations, especially type “O,” they said.
Paul Carden, regional disaster officer with the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, said people can help by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS to set up an appointment to donate blood.
“Or they can go to redcross.org and download our blood donor app,” he said.
Carden said the lost blood donations from the canceled blood drives will still have to be made up in other regions of the country to offset the donation shortfall.
“We have a nationwide system where we collect blood, and if there’s surplus in one community but a need in another community, we move blood around,” he said. “If there’s a need, we’ll be moving blood wherever it’s required, but we’ve got to make up for those lost collections.”
Haiti has also been devastated by Hurricane Matthew, with scores left homeless. Handicap International reports the death toll is pushing toward 900, with at least 350,000 people in need of food, water and shelter.
Aid resources:
- Center for International Disaster Information (also see the organization’s “Guidelines for Giving“)
- Volunteer Florida — Registers volunteers to serve in impacted areas following Hurricane Matthew.
- American Red Cross — Donate by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or online, or text the word MATTHEW to 90999 to donate $10.
- International Red Cross
- Handicap International
- International Medical Corps — Help save lives in countries devastated by Hurricane Matthew.
- Save the Children — Hurricane Matthew Children’s Relief Fund
- Global Giving — Hurricane Matthew Relief Fund
- World Vision — Distributes critical supplies to families affected by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.
- CARE — Provides clean drinking water, food assistance and emergency supplies such as tarps for shelter, blankets and hygiene kits in Haiti following Hurricane Matthew.
- Food for the Poor — Hurricane Matthew Emergency Relief
- Salvation Army — Hurricane Matthew relief efforts in Haiti and Jamaica
- UNICEF — UNICEF’s Hurricane Matthew Relief Efforts
