Blood Collections Staff - Customer Service

Jackson County non-profit working to improve disaster response efforts. September 10, 2026 at 5:13 pm JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. - Six years after the Almeda Fire shook Jackson County to the core, a local non-profit is looking toward the future. The Jackson County Long Term Recovery Group (JCC LTRG) was formed to help the community navigate rebuilding and recovery after the Almeda and Obenchain fires. The organization connected fire survivors with recovery programs and service providers, as well as handling disaster case management and housing stabilization. Over half a decade later, their mission has expanded to preparing for future disaster responses. Working with organizations like the Red Cross, JCC LTRG has responded to several new disasters in Southern Oregon. This past summer, they've hand a hand in coordinating response efforts for five fires, including the East Evans Creek Fire, the Woodrat Mountain Fire, and the I-5 MM 57 NB Fire. Over the last 12 weeks, the organization has helped with livestock evacuation, public information messaging, volunteer coordination, and asissted the Red Cross in opening four emergency shelters. "We're holding both hats, still," said JCC LTRG Executive Director Matthew Havniear. "Where the reality is, we still have a community that's in recovery, and we still have an active need for response. We're using the lessons that we've come to understand, and the experience we've gained through recovery, in creating systems we were needing in 2020." If you would like to donate, get involved, or learn more about JCC LTRG, you can visit their website at jccltrg.org.

Ladies of Porter Ranch partners with American Red Cross for Community Blood Drive during Sickle Cell Awareness Month. The Ladies of Porter Ranch calls on the community to donate blood September 18 at The Vineyards at Porter Ranch and help support patients who depend on lifesaving transfusions. LOS ANGELES, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Ladies of Porter Ranch (LOPR) is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a community blood drive on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Vineyards at Porter Ranch, bringing residents together to help strengthen the blood supply while raising awareness during Sickle Cell Awareness Month. September is nationally recognized as Sickle Cell Awareness Month, bringing attention to an inherited blood disorder that affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States. Most people living with sickle cell disease are African American or of African descent, and the disease affects approximately 1 out of every 365 African American babies born in this country. For many people living with sickle cell disease, blood transfusions can provide lifesaving treatment by replacing sickled red blood cells with healthy red blood cells, helping deliver oxygen to tissues and organs and improve blood flow. Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to become hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round, which can make it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and may result in severe pain, organ and tissue damage, or stroke. The Red Cross is working to grow a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of patients living with sickle cell disease. According to the Red Cross, 1 in 3 African American blood donors are a match for people with sickle cell disease, and Black blood donors are almost three times more likely to be a match for the blood most commonly needed by these patients compared with donors who are not Black or African American. Because some patients require frequent transfusions, finding closely matched blood can be especially important in helping reduce transfusion-related complications. "Ladies of Porter Ranch has always been about women coming together and turning community into action," said the founders of Ladies of Porter Ranch. "During Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we have an opportunity to not only raise awareness, but to do something tangible that can directly impact someone's life. We're inviting our members, our families, our neighbors and the greater North Valley community to join us and give blood." The September blood drive reflects LOPR's ongoing commitment to bringing women and families together around causes that make a meaningful impact throughout Porter Ranch and the greater Los Angeles community. The Ladies of Porter Ranch x American Red Cross Community Blood Drive will take place on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Vineyards at Porter Ranch in Porter Ranch, California. The event will bring together Ladies of Porter Ranch, the Red Cross, and members of the greater Porter Ranch and Los Angeles communities to help strengthen the blood supply while raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood donations during Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Eligible community members are encouraged to make an appointment and participate in the blood drive. About Ladies of Porter Ranch Ladies of Porter Ranch (LOPR) is Southern California's fastest-growing community for women dedicated to connection, collaboration, community engagement and giving back. The organization brings together hundreds of women across Porter Ranch and the greater Los Angeles area through community events, networking opportunities, charitable initiatives and partnerships that support local families and important causes.Ladies of Porter Ranch was founded by Shanti Hoffman, Asiah Collins, Andrea Ledezma, XiXi Yang, Cheyenne Davis and Kristina Oropeza, who came together with a shared vision of building a meaningful community for women while harnessing their collective reach to create a positive impact throughout the region.Through its community initiatives and charitable partnerships, Ladies of Porter Ranch continues to mobilize its members around opportunities to connect, serve and strengthen the communities they call home. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. MEDIA CONTACT Disclaimer: This content is provided by Porter Ranch Women Initiative, Inc. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. 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Disaster volunteers answered more than 14,000 calls for help so far in 2026; as disasters increase, Red Cross urges others to get involved. Red Cross volunteers Chris Gallegos (right) and Sandra Schueler (left) pack wildfire kits at the disaster relief operation warehouse in Airway Heights, WA, from which the kits will be distributed to Spokane area residents as they return home after the devastating wildfires there. Chris, a volunteer from Denver, CO who grew up in Altadena, CA, has been volunteering with the Red Cross for a year and a half - after hearing from his friends and family about how the Red Cross helped during the Los Angeles wildfires. "I was born and raised [in Altadena, CA], and it was a mecca for middle class families that were able to buy their first homes. It's a beautiful place, great place to grow up. And when the fires happened, over two dozen of my family and friends lost their houses. And of all the people that were helping, Red Cross came through with flying colors, and I heard nothing but great things from all my people about the Red Cross. And I said, that's the organization for me." Red Cross photo by Jason Colston Red Cross volunteers John "Dasher" Aldasch, Donald "Colonel" Klink, and Dave McPhail deployed to Spokane, Washington to help people affected by the devastating wildfires that destroyed hundreds of homes. Here they stand together outside of a Red Cross emergency response vehicle after unloading dozens of wildfire kits to distribute to local residents. Red Cross photo by Jason Colston Super Typhoon Sinlaku impacted Guam and the Marianas Islands in the Spring, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. Red Cross disaster workers from across the U.S. deployed to the islands to help. Here, the Red Cross opened a shelter on Tinian, providing residents with a safe place to stay, along with food and water. Volunteers at the shelter included Peter King of Roslyn, New York; Brenda Kamish of Moravia, Iowa; Jim McKeown of Aurora, South Dakota; Michelle Mach of Germantown, Maryland; and Joseph Santos of Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands. Red Cross photo by Scott Marder/American Red Cross. September 04, 2026 'Our volunteers are more than our helpers, they are our partners in turning crisis into hope.' The American Red Cross reports its disaster volunteers have been busier than ever in 2026, answering the call to help more than 14,000 times so far since the beginning of the year. The Red Cross is immensely grateful for their outstanding generosity, compassion and commitment. Their service has made it possible for the Red Cross to carry out its humanitarian mission and help people impacted by emergencies. "Our volunteers are more than our helpers, they are our partners in turning crisis into hope. We thank them for their invaluable support," said Brad Kieserman, vice president, Disaster Operations and Logistics for the Red Cross. "They bring their compassion into communities every day, offering their time and skills to those who may be experiencing the darkest day of their lives." On average, there is now a major disaster occurring about every two weeks, making the role of volunteers more critical than ever. This year, disaster volunteers have responded to everything from winter storms and extreme heat to home fires, wildfires, tornadoes, severe weather and super typhoons. More than 14,000 times, volunteers have answered the call, providing relief, comfort and hope to people in need. Again, the Red Cross is deeply grateful for their unwavering commitment to helping others. JOIN US TODAY The year isn't over, and there are no signs that there will be a decline in the number of major disasters in the months ahead. It is key that American Red Cross enroll more volunteers today. Right now, it is critical that American Red Cross find people interested in these roles: * National Disaster Responder: When hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters strike, families are left without the basics - food, shelter and comfort. You can be the one who helps them begin to recover. Deploy across the country to deliver shelter, supplies and support when it's needed most. Explore redcross.org/deploy to find the role that is right for you. * Local Disaster Responder: The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year. Most of these disasters are home fires that don't make headlines. Be a part of the volunteer team that is there when its neighbors need them the most. From offering comfort and care during disasters to educating communities on disaster preparedness, there are many ways to get involved. Explore redcross.org/local response for current opportunities in your area. * Logistics Fulfillment Service Associate: During a disaster, the Logistics Fulfillment Service Associate helps make sure relief supplies are on hand to support its clients, coordinating what is needed between the Red Cross warehouse and its shelters. They also organize orders at the warehouse and load the materials onto vehicles for delivery to its shelters. * Logistics Transportation Service Associate: The Logistics Transportation Service Associate keeps track of all vehicles being used on a disaster, both those owned by the Red Cross and any rental vehicles needed. If rentals are used, this volunteer secures them and returns them when no longer needed. They also service any Red Cross vehicles and deliver supplies, mail, etc. between the different sites that are part of the disaster response. * Blood Transportation Specialist: As a Blood Volunteer Driver, deliver lifesaving blood products to local hospitals, assist its blood collections teams with supplies, and return blood products from various locations in the region, directly helping patients in need. Whether you prefer more flexible, on-demand opportunities or regularly scheduled shifts, its user-friendly mobile app makes it easy to pick up shifts that fit your schedule. This makes it perfect for those seeking a flexible volunteering experience. Deliver blood to those in need through either scheduled shifts or on-demand driving opportunities. To learn more, visit: redcross.org/drivehope (On-Demand) or redcross.org/deliver (Scheduled) In addition to these positions, the Red Cross has many volunteer opportunities available that satisfy a wide range of interests and time commitment. Make an impact. Sign up here today About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow American Red Cross on social media.