Everyone is familiar with the Red Cross Blood Drives and that donations saves lives, but did you know there’s another area of the Red Cross that also needs your help? Leitha Barfield is the new Community Volunteer Leader and as a volunteer herself, reminds the community that the Red Cross is also there in times of emergencies, disasters, coordinating with the Armed Forces and more. But to do that, more volunteers are needed.

“I work together with a Supervisor to meeting the needs of the community in cases of disaster such as fires, hurricanes and other natural disasters,” Barfield said. “I also work with the local governments to get them involved in the Red Cross.”

Other initiatives she’s involved in through the organization is finding compatible blood donors for transfusions for patients diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia. “There’s just not that many genetically-compatible donors,” she added.

She is also coordinating with high schools and the technical college to recruit volunteers from their student bodies, noting, “That would surely good great on future resumes!”

If you need help from the Red Cross or would like to volunteer contact Leitha by searching her name, Leitha Barfield, on the American Red Cross website (www.redcross.org).