The back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, have left many Floridians grappling with immense loss and distress. In the aftermath, many are turning to the American Red Cross for critical health services as they begin to rebuild their lives.
Diane St. Denis, a Disaster Health Service Manager with the Red Cross for 30 years, highlights the unique role the organization plays in disaster relief. “No one else provides the health services we do,” she explains. “Many residents don’t have the resources for basic medical needs, like eyeglasses, dentures, or hearing aids. That’s where we step in.”
For many survivors, the devastation is overwhelming. Some have lost everything—homes, jobs, vehicles, and personal belongings. Retired nurse and Red Cross volunteer Nancy Gerwe empathizes deeply with those affected. “When we receive a call about someone in need, it becomes our priority,” she says. Gerwe, who has volunteered for multiple deployments over the past three years, finds purpose in applying her 30 years of nursing experience to help those in crisis.
Barbara Freimuth, a nurse from Bethany Beach, Delaware, also volunteers with the Red Cross. She credits her “nurse gene” for driving her to deploy to the Tampa Bay area to assist in the relief efforts. “We continue to care, we continue to help, and we know we can make a difference,” Freimuth says. Through her multiple deployments, she has found fulfillment in the lives she’s touched, reflecting on the importance of humanitarian work during such difficult times.
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