American Red Cross

After moving from Brazil at age 18 to study French and literature, Sofia Theard found a new purpose: helping her community recover from disasters. Fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese, Sofia became a lifeline for families displaced by recent flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico.…

When disaster strikes, our volunteers show up. Right now, more than 440 wildfires are burning across Alaska. Families like the Cleggs and Owens have lost everything, but they’re not alone. @RedCrossAK volunteers, alongside community partners, are helping families take the…

If you need a helping paw, Daisy is here for you. Daisy is a therapy dog with the @ARCLouisiana. She recently brought joy — and lots of kisses — to veterans at her local VA hospital. Therapy dogs like Daisy are part of our Animal Visitation Team, which supports veterans and…

These incredible high schoolers are stepping up for our service members! Fourteen Red Cross Clubs across Central California joined forces to collect donations and assemble 150 comfort kits for members of the military. Each kit was thoughtfully packed with household essentials,…

Michelle Longman has worked with @RedCrossMO for nearly a decade. As a blood collections team supervisor, she sees the impact of blood donation every day. But in 2016, it became personal. That year, her father was diagnosed with glioblastoma. During treatment, he received…

After seven years of active duty in the U.S. Army, Tyler McHugh faced the challenge many veterans know too well: transitioning to civilian life. “It was definitely a culture shock," Tyler said. “Creating a résumé was hard. Finding positions that matched my skills was…

When David Weinreb’s wife, Marlena, experienced postpartum complications after the birth of their daughter, Dalia, she urgently needed a blood transfusion. But due to a nationwide shortage, she wasn’t able receive the full amount her care team requested. That moment changed…

One of the scariest moments of young Harper’s life happened in the school cafeteria when she began choking. “I remember thinking I was going to die," Harper said. "I started banging on the table, and my friends started hitting my back." The noise caught the attention of science…

How berry sweet is Bailey? She chose our founder, Clara Barton, as the subject of her third grade history project. Bailey dressed as Clara for a living wax museum at her school and showcased her poster at the Pasadena Strawberry Festival. We think she earned an A+!

Military life might mean constant change, but for Jiyoung Kim Seong, change led to purpose. Jiyoung once had a fast-paced job in the fashion industry in Los Angeles before marrying her husband and starting a family. After relocating several times for his active-duty service, she…

You’re looking at an incredible group of kids. After learning about the devastating wildfires in California, these students from First Presbyterian Church in Sioux Falls felt called to help. They turned their concern into action, building a service-learning project focused on…

It doesn't matter if you're a strong swimmer, you're not going to win fighting a rip current. To spot a rip current, look for a narrow band of choppy, fast-moving water that flows differently from the areas around it. Fighting against it can quickly exhaust you and carry you…

“I built this home 22 years ago after retiring from the trucking industry, and everything is gone.” At 82, Calvin Lewis is starting over after losing his home and nearly all his belongings in a devastating fire. It was around 11 p.m. when he heard a crackling sound. “I stepped…

Many blood donors have a special reason that motivates them to give. For Geoff, that's his daughter, Madilyn, who suffered a cardiac arrest when she was just 16 days old. Thanks to immediate CPR and multiple blood transfusions, Madilyn is a vibrant 7-year-old, eager to celebrate…

After decades of dedicated service, veteran and volunteer Shue Jennings-Schwinn is finally receiving the recognition she deserves. Shue was the only woman among 30 veterans on a recent Honor Flight — a nonprofit that flies veterans age 65 and older to visit memorials in…

Brad Eldred’s platelet donation journey began with a phone call from @RedCrossNNE in 2008. After giving blood at a local drive, he learned he had a high platelet count — and an opportunity to help others in a powerful way. Since then, Brad has donated platelets more than 700…

Extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for those most at risk. Some people are more vulnerable to heat-related illness because their bodies have a harder time staying cool. • Older adults’ bodies don’t cool as quickly. • Babies and young children can overheat and dehydrate…

On her 16th birthday, Taylor wasn't thinking about gifts or a party — she had her mind set on donating blood. Inspired by her parents’ commitment to donating platelets in honor of her uncle’s battle with leukemia, Taylor knew that blood donation was exactly how she wanted to…

The past few days have been so difficult for so many. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the aftermath of the Texas flooding, you’re not alone. As we focus on what’s happening around us, it’s important to check in with ourselves. Here are a few ways to care for your mental…

Our hearts are heavy as we witness the devastating impact of the recent floods in Texas. The loss of life and destruction are truly heartbreaking. We stand with the affected communities during this difficult time. The American Red Cross is working side-by-side with partners to…