American Red Cross

Watch out, precious pile of fluff coming through. 🥹 Toby is a 5-year-old Great Pyrenees who proudly serves as a therapy dog in our Animal Visitation Program. He visits Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter with his handler and @RedCrossSC volunteer, Gina Hilger. Toby and Gina began volunteering with the Red Cross in 2024. Since then, they’ve delivered pure happiness to every military member they’ve met. “Toby, because of his size and his big brown eyes, just exudes compassion and can take anybody's mind off of any troubles they may be having,” Gina said. “Those couple of moments of joy can actually last throughout the day and week.” We're giving four paws up to Animal Visitation teams like Toby and Gina who help us lift the spirits of service members, veterans, and their families across the country.

Red Cross Month is a time to celebrate the people who bring our mission to life, and our blood donors do that every day. We're grateful to those across the country who generously give to help patients. Whenever there's a need for blood, it’s your donations on hospital shelves that make a difference, and we cannot thank you enough! ❤️

A dangerous weather mix bringing severe thunderstorms, damaging winds and possible tornadoes is expected to impact much of the East Coast. Conditions can change quickly, so it’s important to stay alert and ready to act. Download the free Red Cross Emergency app to stay prepared ahead of the storm: - Get real-time weather alerts. - Access expert safety tips before and during severe weather. - Find open shelters and emergency resources near you. - Receive alerts and safety information for your pets, too.

@mfeehan5 Wishing you the best!

Ugh. I have diabetes. (I go to the Dr for a physical tomorrow) I donated blood on Friday, and @RedCross just sent me my A1C results. 8.3. They are supposed to be 6 or under. 😭

A home fire is devastating for anyone, but for families in refugee camps who already live with so little, it can be especially heartbreaking. Over 1 million refugees live in several camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. They're crowded with small bamboo shelters set close together, so when flames start, they spread fast. Recently, a fire swept through and destroyed 18 shelters and several structures used for water, sanitation and education. Fires are common in these conditions, which is why the @BDRCS1 has taught thousands of people in the camps to act as first responders during emergencies. Community members learn firefighting drills and disaster preparedness skills. It's critical support in a place where resources are limited and neighbors rely on one another for help.

For more than a decade, donating platelets has been part of Matt Behring’s life. He’s rolled up his sleeve more than 200 times, donating over 600 units of lifesaving blood products for patients in need. But recently, this familiar habit gave him something he never expected — an early warning sign about his own health. Last August, while the Red Cross was offering free A1C testing in an effort to build better community health and awareness, Matt donated platelets and received his results. “It really made me pause and think about my overall health,” he said. The test showed his A1C level was elevated — something he hadn’t been aware of at all. That moment pushed Matt to take action. With encouragement from his wife, Mattea, he shifted to a zero‑sugar diet and made a few intentional changes to his daily habits. The result? He lost 14 pounds and feels better than he has in years. “Seeing the numbers laid out so clearly was motivating, and it helped me make a few small adjustments to my daily routine and be more intentional about what I’m doing for my long‑term well‑being.” For Matt, platelet donation began as a simple lesson for his son, who was afraid of needles. He wanted to show him there was nothing to fear, so he set the example. That moment grew into a passion for helping others, a routine he cherishes because of the good it does for patients fighting cancer, experiencing trauma, or facing critical medical needs. “You’re giving something that can make a direct, immediate difference,” Matt said. “The process is smooth, the staff is always kind, and you walk away knowing you’ve done something truly worthwhile. I believe that it’s one of the simplest ways to make a real impact.” Now, that routine is helping him stay healthy — through the A1C testing we offer and the routine checks donors receive with every visit, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin measurements. “I think it’s incredibly important that the Red Cross gives donors access to this kind of information,” Matt said. “It’s such a valuable added benefit. Not only are you helping patients who need platelets, but you are also getting meaningful feedback about your own health. It makes the whole experience feel even more impactful.” We’re expanding our health offerings this Red Cross Month with free A1C testing for all who successfully give blood through March 31 (one test result per donor in a 12-month period). Gain valuable information about your blood sugar levels over the past three months by making an appointment to donate blood: rdcrss.org/46PSdNH

On February 14th, Lily and Chris Aguilar lost their home while they were out with their 3-year-old son. A tornado had torn through their Southeast Houston apartment complex, destroying their roof and leaving their home severely damaged. After seeing the condition of their home, they made sure their son was safe with family and began figuring out what to do. The next morning, American Red Cross disaster workers and volunteers checked on families, assessed damage and offered support. Lily and Chris were able to receive Red Cross assistance to help them take their next steps. “This experience has changed me so much,” Lily said. “Once we get settled again, I would love to volunteer with the Red Cross. I had no idea everything they do. After this, I’ve seen firsthand the hope they bring, and I want to be part of that.”

These statistics are alarming but true. According to the CDC: • 8.7 million people in the U.S. are living with undiagnosed diabetes. • Approximately 80% of people with prediabetes are unaware they have it. Unmanaged diabetes can cause serious health concerns. We’re expanding our health offerings this Red Cross Month with free A1C testing for all who successfully give blood through March. 31 (one test result per donor in a 12-month period). Gain valuable information about your blood sugar levels over the past three months by making an appointment to donate blood: rdcrss.org/3OOGMzB

The compassion of the Red Cross can ripple through generations. Just ask volunteer Jim Williford. During World War II, the Red Cross helped Jim’s family stay connected at a time when uncertainty was part of daily life. Both of his parents served in the U.S. military overseas — his father, Sam, as a C‑47 pilot and his mother, Ruth, as a field hospital nurse. The couple was often stationed in different locations across Europe, but when they received leave, they would meet at the Red Cross in Paris. It became their safe place to reconnect, find resources, and enjoy snacks. The Red Cross would soon make another unforgettable difference for Jim’s family. After his Uncle Check was wounded in battle while serving in the infantry, Jim’s parents had no way of knowing where he had been sent or how he was doing. During one of her visits, Ruth learned the Red Cross could help locate service members. With that support, the brothers were finally reunited in an emotional visit. A month after the war ended, Jim’s parents were married in France. While on their honeymoon in London, Uncle Check was able to join them to celebrate — a joyful moment rooted in the connections the Red Cross helped make possible. Ruth volunteered with the Red Cross throughout her life, and Jim eventually followed in her footsteps. He has been a volunteer with the @RedCross_NC for 10 years, supporting blood drives, delivering blood to hospitals, helping people at disaster shelters, and more. We’re so proud of Jim for carrying forward the legacy of care that once supported his own family.

Let us celebrate you this Red Cross Month. 🎉 It’s the people who make our mission possible. For 145 years, Red Crossers have stepped up for communities across the country when help can’t wait. Tell us in the comments why you're a proud Red Crosser. Your commitment makes a difference every day, whether you: - Give blood or encourage others to. - Help people recover from disasters. - Participate in a student-led Red Cross Club. - Teach or learn lifesaving skills. - Support our military and their families. Thank you for everything you do. ❤️

What you do in the first moments of a loved one’s cardiac arrest can make all the difference. For every minute CPR and AED use are delayed, their chance of survival drops by 7% to 10%. If someone is in cardiac arrest: 1. Call 911 and ask someone nearby to grab an AED. 2. Start CPR right away and continue until first responders arrive. 2. Use an AED as soon as it’s available. Feeling confident in these steps starts with getting trained. Take a CPR class and be the person who knows what to do when it matters most.

@yourtweetcess Our customer care team would be more than happy to assist with previous promotions. They can be reached at 855-210-1278 or by email at customercare@redcross.org. Thank you!

@RedCross I'm donating today and the young lady wasn't aware of the promo. I get Amazon gift card and a 2nd gift card for donating today. Who can assist with this please?

Knox is the sixth child in his family. His parents, Jessica and Andy, expected him to be another healthy newborn just like his older siblings. But the moment he arrived, everything changed. Knox was taken to the NICU right away, and at just 2 weeks old, he received his first blood transfusion for a rare disorder that causes his red blood cells to be destroyed far too quickly. Since then, Knox’s life has been shaped by the rhythm of his blood counts. When they drop, so does his energy. Headaches settle in. His skin grows pale. His legs ache. He struggles to sleep, and his bright personality fades. Each sign is his body’s way of saying it can’t keep going without help. And then comes the blood transfusion. “His cheeks become rosy again,” Jessica said. “His energy returns. He’s singing in the car, laughing and playing.” For Knox’s family, the transformation feels almost instant — a hope‑filled reminder of what one unit of donated blood can do. Most days, Knox is a lively, energetic 4‑year‑old who loves basketball and soccer. But without timely transfusions, even the simplest joys slip out of reach. The little boy who was running and smiling just hours earlier suddenly grows quiet, tired and withdrawn — a sharp contrast to the spark they know so well. Still, Knox never complains. “He never asks ‘Why me?’” Jessica said. “He doesn’t compare himself to his siblings or focus on what he can’t do. He just lives life the only way he knows how – happy and full of spirit. Most people who meet him would never guess what he faces.” Before Knox, his parents had never donated blood. They simply didn’t know how profoundly one donation could change the course of a child’s day — or a family’s life. “We never donated before Knox was the one in need,” Jessica said. “We didn’t know. But now we do. We understand that blood donors give families like ours the most priceless gift: time, energy, childhood, and life.” Their hope in sharing his story is simple: to help someone else understand the impact they can make. “Somewhere out there, another child just like Knox will walk out of a hospital with rosy cheeks and a second chance, all because someone took an hour to donate.” Our national blood shortage means children like Knox are counting on donors more than ever. One hour of your time can help bring color, energy and comfort back to a child who depends on regular transfusions to feel like themselves again. If you’re able, please make an appointment to donate blood: rdcrss.org/4r4kCGQ

Fred Sullivan’s blood donation journey began in 1952. A senior in high school, he heard there was a need for blood at his local Elks lodge. Students were excused from class to donate, and Fred eagerly joined his classmates. What happened next became an unforgettable first‑time experience. “A group of us went down, and lo and behold, the guy behind the bar at the Elks Club said, ‘If you’re old enough to give blood, you’re old enough to drink!’” Fred said. “So they gave us all a shot of bourbon.” That moment sparked a commitment to donating blood that has lasted more than seven decades. From his college years and military service to a 56‑year career in education, Fred kept showing up to give, donating every eight weeks whenever possible, no matter where life took him. Over the years, he’s received recognition for the many gallons he’s donated, but the true reward to him is simple: “After I give blood, I feel like I’ve had an oil change,” Fred said. “I feel better afterwards.” Now 91, Fred remains the oldest donor at the @RedCrossNorCal blood donation center in Pleasant Hill — still rolling up his sleeve with the same steady purpose that started with a high‑school trip to the Elks lodge. Blood donors are needed now to keep up with hospital demand. Help ensure that our blood supply is ready for emergencies and everyday patient needs by scheduling an appointment to donate blood: rdcrss.org/4cSHOo1

A proud military mom, Lilah Chang knows just how important it is for service members to feel supported. That understanding and personal connection are what inspire her to give back as a Service to the Armed Forces volunteer. Lilah’s son is a U.S. Navy submarine officer and her daughter is a law enforcement officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. With two children in uniform, she felt called to serve in her own way. "I have seen first-hand the sacrifice our military personnel and their families have made in order to serve our great nation," Lilah said. She joined the @RedCrossNorCal last August and supports her local Military Entrance Processing Station, meeting with military recruits each week before they ship out to boot camp. Lilah makes sure new recruits know about the resources and support systems available to them through the Red Cross, including the Hero Care Network — a service that helps military members and their families navigate emergencies and major life events back home. "It makes me feel really good at the end of the day when a recruit or family member comes up to me to thank me for helping ease some of their fears," Lilah said. "They are relieved to know that the Red Cross is committed to helping them in times of need." Thank you, Lilah, for showing up with compassion and unwavering dedication. We’re honored to have you serving those who serve our country. ❤️

Sometimes helping others leads us somewhere unexpected. For Allison Skoglind, it led her to face a lifelong fear and give blood for the first time. After losing her dad, Allison signed up to volunteer with @RedCrossCasc in hopes of channeling her grief into helping others. “By volunteering, I believed I could begin healing my personal loss by creating hope for others experiencing their own,” she said. “I could help someone else. I could give back to someone else. There was a certain salvation in that.” As a volunteer on the public affairs team, Allison helps tell the Red Cross story and shines a light on the work happening behind the scenes. The more she got involved, the more she saw just how constant the need for blood donations truly is. Allison grew up afraid to donate because of a rare hereditary blood disorder that runs in her family called protein S deficiency, which causes dangerous blood clots and life‑threatening medical emergencies. “Maybe it was the fear of needles. Maybe it was the fear of what I might learn about my own health,” she said. “Either way, I was afraid.” But when the Red Cross announced an emergency blood shortage in January, something shifted. Allison made an appointment with a hematologist and learned she didn’t carry the disorder after all. She decided it was time to donate and brought her boyfriend, a committed blood donor himself, along for the experience. Her first donation opened her eyes to all the lives she could help just by rolling up a sleeve. For her, “This wasn’t just a blood donation, it was an act of love.” Whether it’s through volunteering or giving blood, your Red Cross journey can start with one choice, just like Allison’s. Learn how you can get involved in the comments.

Let’s give it up for the Red Cross volunteers who are helping people stay warm and safe as winter weather once again wreaks havoc across the country. Volunteers are working with partners to open and manage emergency shelters and warming centers, and providing food, water and other essential resources. If you need help, you can find an open shelter by visiting redcross.org/shelters, downloading the Red Cross Emergency app, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). You can also follow your local Red Cross or emergency officials on social media, sign up for free local government alerts, or monitor local news for updates.

Nolan came into the world a seemingly healthy baby boy weighing 8 pounds and 10 ounces. But within hours, his mother, Sara, sensed something wasn’t right. Nolan’s parents trusted their instincts and pushed for closer observation — a decision that saved their son’s life. Doctors discovered a serious congenital heart defect, a dangerous narrowing in one of his heart’s main arteries. At only 4 days old, surgeons accessed his heart through his back and widened the artery using a synthetic patch. During that operation, he received his first blood transfusion — the first of many that would help keep him alive. At 6 years old, Nolan underwent a catheter procedure to stretch the patch and improve blood flow. At 11, he was thriving, though regular check‑ins reminded his family that he would never truly “outgrow” his condition. Last April, a routine stent placement turned into a critical emergency. Nolan’s aortic valve ruptured, triggering cardiac arrest that lasted nearly 20 minutes. As blood rapidly filled his chest cavity and his left lung collapsed, doctors fought to save him, placing seven stents and transfusing him with 18 units of blood. “When you hear ‘18 units of blood,’ it hits different when it’s your child,” Sara said. “You don’t realize how much one small body can need, or how vital it is that the blood is there.” Remarkably, just six weeks later, Nolan was back on the baseball field with his friends. He and his mother organized a blood drive at his middle school in hopes of collecting enough blood to give back for the many donations that helped save his life. They collected 41 units of blood, each one a testament to the power of giving and the impact of Nolan’s story. Today, at 14, Nolan is more than a survivor. He’s a son, brother, student, friend and athlete — and someone whose strength has already changed many lives. To every donor who makes time to give: Nolan’s story is proof that your donation can be the difference. His life — from his first transfusion at 4 days old to the 18 units that saved him last spring — has been impacted by strangers willing to share the gift of life. ❤️ Help us ensure blood remains available for hospital patients when they need it most during our national blood shortage. Make an appointment to give: rdcrss.org/3ZUtpAc

Extreme blizzard conditions are causing power outages, road closures and flight cancellations across the Northeast. If you’re one of the many people battling intense snow and cold weather this week, we’re here for you. Try these tips to stay safe and warm at home if your power goes out.

@SinclairMorse Thanks so much for being a committed blood donor! 🫶🏼

More than 650,000 pediatric patients need blood donations every year? I just donated my 35th unit @RedCross O- CMV-. 💕😊