November 2024 Snow Storm
Response Updates November 8, 3 p.m. If…
IMPORTANT UPDATES
Important Updates about the Blood Donation Appeal, Colorado Wildfires and Disaster Response Across the Country can be found under Hot Topics!
About
Red Cross Mission and Vision
Leadership
Mile High Board
Counties Served
Social Media
Contact
Campaigns
Red Cross Mission and Vision
Mission Statement:
- The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
Vision Statement: The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of need. We aspire to turn compassion into action so that…
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- all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope;
- our communities are ready and prepared for disasters;
- everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products;
- all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and
- in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.
Leadership
Gino Greco, Regional Chief Executive Officer
Kristen Gietzen, Chief Operating Officer
Amanda Paktinat, Chief Development Officer
Eric Myers, Volunteer Services Officer
Kim Lovato, Regional Disaster Officer
Catie Ballenger, Regional Communications Officer
Crystal Schutter, Interim Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Officer
Phil Martinez, Executive Director, Red Cross of Southeastern Colorado
Janet Lewis, Executive Director, Red Cross of Wyoming
Melissa Venable, Executive Director, Red Cross of Northern Colorado
Christie Caster, Executive Director, Red Cross of Western Colorado
Mile High Board
Board Leadership
- Chair: Sam Knaizer: Chief of Staff to the CEO and Head of Corporate Affairs, BPX Energy”
- Philanthropy Committee Co-Chair: Jason Brinkley, Snell & Wilmer; Partner
- Philanthropy Committee Co-Chair: John Connor, CMI Enterprises Inc; President: Connor Family Foundation
- DEI Committee Chair: Quyen Clifton; Bravvo; Founder & Consultant
- Blood Services Committee Chair: Ellen Weaver, Kaiser Permanente: Director of Health & Community Engagement
- Volunteer Capacity Building Chair: Teena Bergstrang, Saunders Construction; Director of Marketing & Communications
- At-Large: Sarah Sandberg, Tall Grass Energy; Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Board Membership
- Heidi Cooley – Crocs; Global Marketing Executive
- Uche Ejiasa: Newmont Corporation: Head of Diversity Inclusion & Equity
- Lauren Gilliland– Xcel Energy: Vice President Gas
- Brian Jensen– First National Bank Omaha; Director of Digital Strategy
- Patsy Landaveri – Impacto Founder and Managing Member
- Luke Litteken – Mears Corporation; Senior Vice President Gas
- Alex Lewis– Visible: Manager Business Strategy
- Pete Lorenzen – American Red Cross; Volunteer, Retired
- Gloria Neal – Glo Knows LTD; Owner
- Murugan Palani – Denver Public Schools; Director, Office of Business Diversity
- David Schmidt – Nationwide Ins.; AVP Personal Lines Claims
- Katie Tate – Chevron, Senior Social Impact and Community Investment Specialist
- Yolanda Webb – Colorado Department of Human Services; Director – Office of Aging and Disability Services
- Jaelynn Williams: Air Methods, Chief Executive Officer
- Nolan M Wessell, MD, FAAOS
:University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Honorary Board Members
- Hon. Mike Johnston, City and County of Denver; Mayor
- Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos Football Club; Former Quarterback
Counties Served
As a chapter, the Mile High Area serves 10 counties – Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, and Jefferson. The Mile High Chapter also serves as the Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces station for Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora.
Social Media
Contact
- Address: 444 Sherman Street Denver, CO 80203
- Phone: 303-722-7474
Campaigns
Quick Links
Lines of Service and Supporting Departments
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, and we depend on the generosity of donors to help save lives.
Roll up a sleeve to help save lives. Eligible individuals are encouraged to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
The Red Cross helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters.
We provide food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional comfort, health services, financial assistance and other support to help people in their time of greatest need.
The Red Cross is proud that an average of 90 cents of every dollar spent is invested in providing care and comfort for people in need.
Visit redcross.org/donate to make a financial donation.
The Red Cross has supported military members and families since our founding. Today, we continue to serve the military community — from the moment a service member takes their oath to the time they’re navigating life as a veteran.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross. 90% of our workforce is volunteers.
Put on a red vest and join us. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find out how you can support your community.
Every day, we empower thousands of people with the skills to save lives by offering courses on CPR, first aid, water safety and more. Sign up at redcross.org/takeaclass.
Hot Topics
Blood Donation Appeal
On Monday, August 5, the American Red Cross announced that we are facing an emergency national blood shortage to the public.
In July, our national inventory plummeted more than 25%, with this summer’s record-setting heat being a significant contributor to recent blood collection challenges. Heat-affecting drives in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood have further compounded other typical seasonal obstacles to blood donation, such as vacation travel and summer activities.
Meanwhile, we continue to see strong hospital demand — rapidly drawing down the blood supply. We are working closely with our hospitals partners during this time to ensure patient needs are met. However, due to the supply of type O blood being so low, the organization has had to reduce distributions of this vital blood type in recent weeks to below hospital comfort levels.
As a disaster organization, we are also very much aware that we are heading into the height of hurricane and wildfire season. Our ability to deliver the mission depends on maintaining a reliable, healthy blood supply and it will take all of us to help make that happen.
How You Can Help
Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets as soon as possible. New this month, all donors who give blood during the month of August will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.
Encourage others to give!
Hurricane Debby
August 8, 2024
- Tropical Storm Debby made its second landfall this morning in South Carolina and is expected to bring more devastating flooding and tornadoes to the region as it moves north.
- More than 850 American Red Cross trained volunteers from across the country are working with partners to provide safe shelter, meals and comfort for people across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, where Debby has damaged homes and forced people to leave their neighborhoods.
- Debby’s torrential rains are exacerbating the ongoing national blood shortage. The storm has forced the cancelation of more than two dozen blood drives in the Southeast, causing hundreds of lifesaving blood products to go uncollected.
- Debby could cause flooding as far north as Vermont this weekend and the Red Cross is preparing to respond if necessary.
- People urgently need aid now. You can help by making a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).
Host a Blood Drive
One person can help save hundreds of lives by hosting a blood drive. It’s a rewarding experience.
Colorado Wildfires
In August, multiple wildfires burned across Colorado and Wyoming forcing mandatory and voluntary evacuations for hundreds of people.
Across the region, 78 Red Cross volunteers are helping provide safe shelter, food, emotional and spiritual support, relief supplies, and health services such as replacing eyeglasses and medications.
This is an evolving situation and shelters are opening and closing as needs change. Red Cross volunteers are ready to support people in need by opening new emergency shelters as needed based on wildfire movements in Colorado.
Hear from Cliff Holtz on his first day as American Red Cross President and CEO.
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