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Client Stories
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In April 2010, Brunswick County resident Sandra Reaves got a devastating call while she was out of town visiting relatives. There had been a fire and the house that she lived in with her two children had been de-stroyed. Reaves was extremely thankful that no one was in the house when the fire broke out but she now worried what her and her family would do. She was told to contact the Red Cross for assistance and soon met with a Red Cross disaster caseworker who provided her with temporary shelter, food and clothing for her and her two children. She was extremely grateful for the Red Cross.
"For 3 days I didn’t have to worry about where to stay and it gave me time to think about what to do next," said Reaves, "it really helped a lot."
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When Suzanne Stanley pulled into her driveway on an evening in February 2010, she noticed flames coming out from under her door and immediately called 911. By the time the fire department had arrived there was already significant fire damage to the second story and siding of her historic home in downtown Wilmington. Red Cross Disaster Action team members responded on scene, ready to provide emer-gency assistance.
"I was really impressed with the Red Cross and grateful for the assistance. Everyone respected my dignity; it was a terrible time and the American Red Cross was there for me, " remembers Stanley.
The historic Burns-Higgins house in downtown Wilmington was built in 1853. Plantation Building Corp., the company Stanley hired to do the work, is in the process of repairing and restoring the home. They are confident that they will be able to make the house better than new while preserving many of the elements that make the house historic.
"With the help of Plantation Building Corp., the Red Cross, the fire department and family and friends at Ivy Cottage, the Burns-Higgins house will be recovered," remarked Stanley.
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It was Good Friday and the Cribb family was planning an Easter Egg Hunt for the weekend when some of the family members started to notice smoke coming from the second floor of their house. They quickly exited the house and luckily no one was hurt but the majority of their belongings had been damaged or destroyed by the fire and by water after the fireman put the fire out. "That night we had no idea what to do," said Robert Cribb, "you don’t think about it until it happens." The fire chief recommended that the Cribb family contact the American Red Cross. The Red Cross was able to provide food, shelter, clothing and baby formula for the families infant child. "The assistance was terrific because we lost everything and it helped see us through until payday," said Julie Hoffman, "and the lodging assistance gave us just enough time to find another house to stay in."
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Roger and Chris Newman had taken Red Cross Infant and Child CPR courses many years ago, but instructor Mike Seigh came across the couple taking the course again at the Cape Fear Red Cross on March 12, 2011. The Newman’s shared with Mike their reasoning and strong desire to re-take the course, this course recently saved the life of their granddaughter, “Molly.” “Molly”, who was 6 months old at the time, started choking when a part of her teething biscuit broke off. Thankfully, “Molly’s” mom (the Newman’s daughter), who had taken the Infant and Child CPR course knew what to do. She picked the baby up and administered back blows which successfully dislodged the biscuit. She also happened to have her skills card nearby for quick reference in case she needed it. All because of her mom’s quick reaction and trained skills, “Molly” is fine. The incident with Roger and Chris’ granddaughter made them realize the great importance to possess these skills in order to protect their family’s health and safety.
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Only days after he was born on August 12, 2004, Griffin Riso was saved by a blood transfusion and special procedure needed due to a rare platelet disorder. This occurred in the midst of Hurricane Charley bearing down on the Carolina Coast.
Doctors informed the Riso Family that Griffin’s prognosis was not good, as his platelet count was rapidly decreasing. They were told that the American Red Cross was the only organization that had the ability to save Griffin’s life under these circumstances – 1) by immediately finding a qualified donor from which to harvest the platelets Griffin needed in order to survive in a very short window of time, and 2) by transporting the critical platelets to New Hanover Regional Medical Center to be transfused to Griffin amidst a disaster. The American Red Cross was contacted and quickly identified a donor in Charlotte that matched the criteria. The platelets were immediately harvested and transported for transfusion in the nick of time. As a result, Griffin will celebrate his 7th birthday this year.
In gratitude to the American Red Cross for saving Griffin’s life, and to help increase community awareness of the importance of volunteer blood donors and the need for volunteers to support blood collection and disaster relief efforts, the Riso Family has sponsored the Annual Griffin Riso Blood Drive & Fundraiser each year since 2005 around Griffin’s birthday. To date, this event has generated hundreds of units of lifesaving blood that have been supplied to area hospitals, and thousands of dollars in funds to support the vital programs and services provided by the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross.
In August 2010, Kim Riso (Griffin’s mother) was nominated by the Cape Fear Chapter and honored at the Carolinas Blood Region’s Celebration of Excellence for raising awareness about the need for blood donations and for supporting the lifesaving work of the American Red Cross by sharing Griffin’s story and sponsoring their annual event.
“I accept this award on behalf of all of the generous blood donors, financial donors, and volunteers who do their part to help us help make sure the American Red Cross is there for us with open arms whenever we or our loved ones may need their vital services,” stated Kim Riso upon acceptance of the Ed Welch Award for uncommon dedication and service to the American Red Cross Blood Services program. |
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