A Message from ENA regarding Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Efforts

Over the past several days we have watched transfixed as Hurricane and Superstorm Sandy struck a large section of the United States, especially the Northeast part. Many are still without power; routine living is seriously disrupted for many emergency nurses and their families. Not surprisingly, our members and other emergency nurses have answered the call to action as part of DMAT teams and other aid agencies, working directly with those impacted by the storm and its aftermath; others inquire about how best to help colleagues in areas hardest hit. ENA appreciates the efforts being made by so many, including those who simply want to assist in some way. Though ENA does not coordinate disaster relief, there are important ways you can assist in relief efforts:

Give Blood
100 Red Cross blood-donation events in the affected regions were canceled, so blood supply in the area is low. Find a blood drive near you at: www.redcrossblood.org/

Donate
The Red Cross All donations to the Red Cross provide food, shelter, and other assistance to those affected by Sandy. Visit www.redcross.org or call 800-RED-CROSS to help.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has set up feeding units and shelters across the disaster zone. To assist their efforts in providing clothing, food, and beds to the displaced, visit www.salvationarmyusa.org.

ASPCA
Relief efforts also include pets and the ASPCA is on the scene responding to the storm. The ASPCA is prepared to assist and rescue thousands of animals affected by the storm. www.aspca.org/

International relief
Operation USA (www.opusa.org) and International Medical Corps (internationalmedicalcorps.org) are focusing their relief efforts on victims of Hurricane Sandy in Haiti and Cuba, where 69 people were killed when the storm passed there last week.

Tell Us Your Story
Another way to assist the profession is to learn from the lessons and stories told by those directly involved in the storm and the rescue and recovery efforts. If you were personally impacted by the storm or involved as a relief worker and you would like to share your stories, contact us at Connection@ena.org. Though we obviously will not be able to share all of them, we will be highlighting many in a future issue of ENA Connection.