Family impacted by house fire gains relief from the Canadian Red Cross

When fires and other natural disasters occur, they can result in damage to one's home and livelihood.

As part of the world's leading humanitarian organization, the Canadian Red Cross' efforts to provide assistance and other forms of relief to those in need by way of non-profit programs has made an impact on the ground in many ways.

For Doug McNish, the Canadian Red Cross' influence helped make an incredible difference after a fire broke out in his family's apartment.

Doug's story
Doug was 19 and living with his parents and brother in an apartment in Toronto, Ontario, when one night in April, the family awoke to the smell of smoke in the air.

They quickly discovered that the couch had caught fire. Grabbing just their dog, Doug and his family made their way through the smoke-filled apartment - which was becoming increasingly difficult to breathe in - and ran for the door.

As the family, who lived on the sixth floor of the building, made their way out of the building, they tried to alert other tenants to the situation.

"I remember running down the hallway banging on doors," says Doug. "I was yelling at people to get out."

Once safely outside of the building, they realized that they were safe, but they also had none of their belongings.

"You feel so hopeless."
Doug and his family moved to a hotel room where the impact of the night's events began to settle in. They were also informed that all of their possessions had been either burned or damaged by the fire.

"It was very emotional for my whole family," says Doug. "You feel so hopeless. You don't know what you are going to do."

Yet at 8 a.m. the next morning, the family received a knock on their door - for Doug, it turned out to be a fateful experience in more ways than one.

A volunteer with the Red Cross had brought clothing and toiletries that the family badly needed. As a result, Doug was able to go to work the next day.

The experience also inspired him in other ways. That day, he made a promise to himself that he would one day - if possible - give back to the Red Cross because of the help they provided for his family during their moment of need.

Now, Doug - who is also an executive vegan chef and author of the book, "Eat Raw, Eat Well" - is an active advocate and volunteer for the Canadian Red Cross, and works to assist people in the same way he was helped once before.

"I think when people think of the Red Cross they think of a situation happening somewhere else in the world," he says. "But they do so much for so many, right here at home. They were there for me."

Show your support
The Canadian Red Cross strives to assist those affected by emergencies and disasters each day with programs that offer access to essential items like food, clothing and shelter.

The resources of the Canadian Red Cross have helped people like Doug McNish rebuild in the aftermath of incidents.

To show your support for the Canadian Red Cross' impact on the ground, please donate online or at your local Canadian Red Cross office today.