American Red Cross

In moments big and small, the strength of a community is built by neighbors who take the time to show up, lend a hand, and look out for one another. Ways to be a good neighbor: - Bring in their trash can when you notice it's still out. - Offer to pet sit or water plants when they're away. - Start a meal train to support them through a major life event. - Share your chicken eggs! - Slow down when driving through the neighborhood. - Call just to check in. - Volunteer to help your community. Be the neighbor everyone can count on! Step up when it matters most by signing up to become a Red Cross volunteer: rdcrss.org/4cBW2cw

@SherryDarlingNJ Your donations have helped countless patients over time. Thank you for making such a lasting impact, Sherry! ❤️

Donated my 80th pint today. I deserve a 10 gallon hat. #redcross #donateblood

Military service shapes lives far beyond those who wear the uniform. On average, military children move between six and nine times during their K-12 education — about three times more than their peers. That often means starting over in a new neighborhood, school, and community again and again. This Month of the Military Child, we honor the adaptability and resilience of these young people who serve alongside their families in their own way. Take the time to let a military kid in your life know they are seen, valued and supported. ❤️

Wildfires are burning across the southern U.S., fueled by dry, windy conditions and ongoing drought. Many homes have been destroyed, and evacuations continue in states like Georgia and Florida, where more than 50,000 acres of land burned this week — an area roughly equivalent to about 38,000 football fields. Meanwhile, other states have burn bans in place, like North Carolina and South Carolina. As the risk of wildfires grows, taking these steps can keep you and your family safe: 1) Create a wildfire evacuation plan and know multiple ways out. 2) Pack a go-bag with essentials like water, medications and important documents. 3) Sign up for local emergency alerts and warnings. 4) Clear dry leaves and debris from around your home. 5) Avoid outdoor burning and activities that can spark fires.

Volunteering with the Red Cross helped teenager Hannah Kirksey discover what she wants to do for the rest of her life. Inspired by her father’s military service, Hannah devoted more than 1,000 volunteer hours last year alone, including participating in the American Red Cross VolunTEEN program in North Carolina. Through the program, she supported military clinics and hospitals alongside our Service to the Armed Forces team, gaining hands-on experience that helped shape her future. “I got to see some truly, truly amazing things,” Hannah shared. “That was when I knew I wanted to be a part of medicine. This is my passion. This is my calling.” While volunteering at Navy Medical Center Lejeune, Hannah observed care in the emergency department, labor and delivery, the neonatal intensive care unit, and surgical settings. The experience inspired her plan to study public health and pursue a pre-physician assistant track in college. Growing up as a military child meant frequent moves and long separations. By age 12, Hannah and her family had relocated six times. Her father, an active-duty U.S. Marine who served for more than 20 years, deployed 16 times. Hannah hopes her journey helps shed light on the resilience of military-connected youth. “You cannot grow without going through growing pains,” Hannah said. “The experiences and the resilience that I have from it is only something I could have gained by being a military child.” Through it all, Hannah learned that service extends beyond the uniform. “It’s not just the person that is actively in the Marine Corps,” Hannah said. “The entire family serves.” This Month of the Military Child and beyond, we’re proud to support young volunteers like Hannah — helping them serve their communities, discover their passions, and become who they’re meant to be.

The most important picks are the ones who know how to save a life. We teamed up with 20 NFL Legends for lifesaving CPR and AED training. As coaches in their communities, they're prepared make the right call when an emergency breaks the playbook. Side by side, these respected voices in football are proving that skill and leadership don’t end with the final whistle. They show up in the critical moments that matter most. This training is part of our ongoing partnership with the NFL and a shared commitment to safer, stronger communities. Through the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, we’re working together to champion CPR education, emergency action plans and access to AEDs in schools and athletic spaces nationwide.

Typhoon Sinlaku has moved north of the Mariana Islands, weakening as it tracks farther into the Pacific on Thursday. While Guam avoided a direct hit, the storm still brought strong winds and heavy rain to the island. The Northern Mariana Islands, including Saipan and Tinian, experienced the most severe impacts. Powerful winds tore roofs from homes and buildings, downed power lines, and left many communities without electricity and water. Our team of staff and volunteers are working alongside local partners to assess damage and support communities as recovery efforts begin across the region. Here's more on how the Red Cross is helping those affected by Typhoon Sinlaku: rdcrss.org/41X952d

After retiring from the U.S. Army, Brandon Hittle missed the connection and camaraderie that come with serving alongside fellow soldiers. He found that sense of purpose again through the Red Cross. Brandon is part of our expeditionary mobile workforce, a dedicated group of Red Crossers who deploy to remote locations around the world to support the needs of service members. From facilitating emergency communications to promoting wellness and respite, they help bring care and comfort wherever it’s needed most. For Brandon, joining this team offered a meaningful way to remain part of the military community. At Camp Karliki in Poland — an isolated base where soldiers have limited connection to the outside world — he built meaningful relationships during respite events like summer movie nights and cookouts. "I just want to be there as someone to lend an ear and give them inspiration," Brandon said. For many service members on base, this is their first deployment overseas. Having someone there who understands military life can be a powerful source of comfort. Brandon is proud to support service members far from home, and we’re proud to have him furthering our lifesaving mission.

Heather Ann Olson, a dedicated Red Cross volunteer in Illinois since 2016, knows the devastation of severe weather all too well: She was 12 years old when a tornado destroyed her family's home. Heather Ann was inspired by the Red Cross of Illinois volunteers who showed up and gave her family hot chocolate and emergency response items. Because of that positive impact on her life, she became a volunteer years later to help others after disasters in her community. Then, in March, Heather Ann’s story came full circle. Another tornado tore through her community, once again damaging her home and vehicles. "The tornado blew out the windows of my home and we had a tree fall through the dining room," Heather Ann said. "It threw one of our cars across the street and totaled all of them." After assessing her own damage and picking up the pieces of her life, she did what she’s always done — show up for others on their toughest days. "I couldn't respond right away, but as soon as we were able to secure a vehicle, I was able to come out and help," she said. "If I can offer people just a little bit of comfort on one of the worst days they are ever going to have, that makes it all worth it." "For me, being there is the most rewarding thing. To see someone take that breath and say to them, 'It's going to be okay,' means the world to me. We are going to get through this together."

More than 100 Red Cross volunteers from across the U.S. are already on the move, traveling through airports and heading to Guam ahead of Typhoon Sinlaku. The storm is expected to strengthen as it approaches Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, with impacts starting as early as Monday, April 13. We're closely monitoring the situation and have prepositioned people and supplies to help families in the path of the storm. As soon as it's safe, our teams will be ready to open shelters, serve meals, and provide critical relief.

When Lisa Johnson's son started choking, it wasn't just her mother’s instinct that kicked in — it was her Red Cross training. “If I hadn’t taken that Red Cross class, I honestly don’t think Josh would be here today," Lisa said. Lisa and her family were enjoying time outdoors at a local spring when her 19-year-old son, Joshua, suddenly began choking on his sandwich. "I could see it in his eyes," Lisa said. "He couldn't breathe. For a brief moment, Lisa froze, but then her training began rushing back. She quickly performed abdominal thrusts until the obstruction was dislodged. Lisa saved her son’s life. In recognition of her heroic actions, the @RedCrossAL presented Lisa with a Lifesaving Award. As executive director of the region’s Central East Chapter, Lisa understands firsthand how critical first aid training can be. She encourages all parents and caregivers to take a class — because you never know whose life you might save.

There's a bright future ahead for Rhonda Sherman. A Red Cross volunteer and military spouse, she just launched her new career as a dental assistant. Rhonda joined the @RedCrossMO in 2024 and has always found ways to volunteer at each unit where her husband — a retired U.S. Marine — had served. When she learned about our free Dental Assistant Program, she saw it as a way to support service members at the dental and health clinics on Fort Leavenworth while learning new skills. With a long-standing interest in oral health and its connection to overall wellness, Rhonda put in 1,000 hours of training and was soon hired as a contract dental assistant at Smith Dental Clinic on post. "I am so fortunate to have been chosen for this training program and the new opportunities that it has provided to me," Rhonda said. Even with a busy new schedule, Rhonda still finds time to volunteer. One of her favorite recent memories is walking alongside fellow Red Cross volunteers in the Veterans Day Parade in Leavenworth, Kansas. Our free Dental Assistant Program equips military dependents with technical skills and hands-on training in a competitive field. Help us congratulate Rhonda on this exciting new chapter! 🎉

At 91 years old, Paul Wells recently made his 280th blood donation, marking an incredible milestone of 35 gallons of blood donated over his lifetime. He made his first blood donation when he was just 16 years old — right before deploying to Korea. After serving, donating blood became his lifelong mission. “I was military, and I’ve seen too much of it spilled on the ground,” Paul said. “I knew the need was there, military or civilian. Every single day, for multiple reasons, people need blood. That’s why I continued.” Over the decades, he has helped save over 600 lives. “35 gallons doesn’t really resonate as being a lot,” Paul said. “Until you see seven 5-gallon cans and you say, ‘My God! That’s a lot of blood!’” Help us celebrate Paul in the comments for reaching this milestone! We’re so grateful to dedicated blood donors like him who help make our mission possible. ❤️

When our volunteers show up, everything feels a little sunnier. ☀️ More than 325,000 volunteers across the country show up every day to support blood drives, respond to disasters of all sizes, assist military families, and teach lifesaving skills. As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we want to say thank you to everyone who has raised a hand to help others in need. We couldn't fulfill our humanitarian mission without you. Join our team of changemakers working together to make an impact. Learn how to get started as a volunteer: rdcrss.org/4dW0zHI

The sky was the limit for humanitarian pilot Georgia Hoyt Jipp. After one of the worst blizzards on record hit the Northern Plains in 1949, Georgia jumped into the cockpit to help. That winter, she flew 150 rescue missions in support of the Red Cross, assisting everyone from ranchers to parents of sick children. She delivered food, fuel and medical supplies. Three long months of relentless snowstorms didn’t stop her from serving others. Georgia was destined for great heights, growing up around small airplanes in western South Dakota. She earned her pilot’s license at just 19 years old. Today, young readers can see themselves in heroes like Georgia thanks to the children’s book "Georgia Jipp: Blizzard Pilot," which won a 2025 Will Rogers Medallion Award.

Life is good — give more of it. Come to give blood March 30 through April 12, and we’ll say thanks with an exclusive American Red Cross x Life is Good® T-shirt, while supplies last. Make an appointment to donate blood: rdcrss.org/47qOLcw

For nearly two weeks, heavy rain from a series of Kona Low storms has caused widespread damage and displacement. We're supporting families with shelter, meals and comfort as recovery begins. So far, 565 people have stayed in 18 shelters across the islands. More than 130 disaster-trained Red Cross workers are supporting relief efforts in the hardest hit areas. Our teams will continue to support these communities as the full impact of this disaster becomes clear.

We couldn’t do this work without YOU! Thank you for showing up for Red Cross Giving Day! Your support helps provide food, shelter, health services and hope to families recovering from disasters. If you missed out on March 25th, it’s not too late to make a difference. Every gift helps people impacted by emergencies big and small! Donate today at: rdcrss.org/4rYznLX

@lindacohn Thanks for your support Linda! ❤️

Imagine losing everything in a devastating disaster and not knowing how to plan your next steps to recover. When #HelpCantWait, the American @RedCross is there to provide hope and relief when it is needed most.   You can support their lifesaving work this month by donating on Red Cross Giving Day — March 25. Join me and help turn heartbreak into hope:rdcrss.org/cbgivingday. 

Since the early 1900s, Ford Philanthropy, the global philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, has partnered with the American Red Cross to support communities when they need it most. What began with providing Model T ambulances during World War I and supporting the Red Cross Motor Corps in World War II has grown into a long-standing partnership focused on showing up for communities as they respond to and recover from crises. Today, Ford Philanthropy continues this legacy of collaboration. On Red Cross Giving Day, Ford Philanthropy will match donations up to $250,000. Your gift can go twice as far in providing shelter, food, and emergency assistance to people affected by disasters. Double your impact. Donate today: rdcrss.org/4dE7Sna