RALEIGH, N.C. – As we enter the season of giving, the American Red Cross is putting focus on a record number of billion-dollar disasters that have struck the U.S. in 2023.

So far in 2023, there have been $25 billion-disasters in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As the cost and frequency of disasters climb, the Red Cross is asking for community support this holiday season and for GivingTuesday on Nov. 28.

Sharonne Hayes with the American Red Cross North Carolina region says her branch alone has spent $2 million responding to disasters across the state.

According to Hayes, the North Carolina region has responded to or helped with 2,365 home fires and other disasters, and assisted with 2,981 households and 8,067 individuals.

“We’re letting people know that these disasters are getting more frequent, they are getting more costly, and the American Red Cross is coming up with plans to address the needs of our communities, both before a disaster ever happens and in a preparatory sense and after,” Hayes said.

Some of the large-scale statewide disasters include wildfires in the western part of our state, recovery from flooding in Kannapolis and recovery efforts after tornadoes in Nash and Edgecombe counties this summer.

She says these disasters have resulted in the cancellation of more than 1,300 blood drives.

“We have to think about the fact that when these disasters happen, specifically because of climate crisis and this extreme weather we’re seeing, we do have to protect our staff, our phlebotomists, other people who are coming out to donate from these disasters,” Hayes said.

“A great way to [give back to community members in need] is to make a lifesaving blood donation. It takes about eight to 15 minutes, but it can actually save more than one life, just one single donation,” Hayes said. “One in seven hospital patients are in need of a lifesaving blood transfusion per day. And so, you know, we definitely want to emphasize that that is one way, by visiting Redcrossblood.org, that you can make a contribution and give a person, an individual or a family hope for the holidays.”

Click here to support the Red Cross this GivingTuesday.