Your Red Cross Update

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, has over 9 million veterans enrolled in its health care system. Veterans often require extensive medical care, which puts a strain on families who don’t live near VA hospitals yet want to be with their loved ones. A core mission of the American Red Cross is to provide humanitarian support to military members and their families and for the past two years, the Red Cross has partnered with Fisher House as a key resource for veteran families during health crises.

According to Roxanne Anderson and Liz Dietz, long-time Red Cross leadership volunteers who lead Silicon Valley Chapter’s support for the Fisher House at VA Palo Alto, the Fisher House provides no-cost lodging to caregivers and family members of veterans and active-duty service members receiving extensive inpatient care.

“Fisher House is a home away from home for patients, family and others who have VA military members at the VA Palo Alto hospital system,” as they describe it.

Each Fisher House has up to 20 suites with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Roxanne says this design “offers both personal privacy and connection with other military families facing similar medical crises, which naturally builds a network of mutual support.”

Throughout the years, Red Cross volunteers have supported Fisher House residents by providing monthly prepared meals. This removes the burden of cooking and creates a space for residents and volunteers to connect, offering mutual support as families care for their loved ones at the VA.

The Red Cross supports military personnel through a multitude of services, from enlistment through active, Guard, and Reserve service and beyond retirement. But awareness of our services is a gap.

Liz Dietz notes, “Veterans often aren’t aware of the support the Red Cross can offer. It’s important for volunteers to support the Fisher House and provide information on how the Red Cross assists veterans who aren’t hospitalized and patients after discharge.”

Volunteers provide a valuable and much needed service to VA patients and their families through our partnership with the Fisher House. We know that Red Cross volunteers are very much appreciated by the Fisher House guests and the Red Cross is pleased to recognize and thank them for their service and support of our military members.