American Red Cross

We’re very sorry to hear about the experience that you described. Please know that our goal is always to ensure individuals have a positive blood donation experience. We want to make sure that this feedback is appropriately routed, so we can follow up. Can you please email us the details at customercare@redcross.org or contact us directly at 855-210-1278? Thank you.

@RedCross you call me every day while im working after I already said I maid an appointment and when I get to milford bridgeport ave donation center I sit the for 45 minutes and they take a person who just walked in??? Unacceptable

If your car breaks down in extreme heat, things can get serious quickly. A little preparation before you head out can make all the difference if something goes wrong.

Hi Michael. There is no longer a deferral for those who spent time in certain European countries or on military bases in Europe and were previously considered potentially exposed to Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease or variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (mad cow). Visit rcblood.org/travelFAQ to learn if you may now be eligible to give.

@93wibc But if you lived in the UK in the early 90’s they won’t take your blood. @RedCross thinks you might be a carrier of Mad Cow.

Red Cross Issues Emergency Blood Shortage Alert for Indiana bit.ly/3SYfjNU

We're facing an emergency blood shortage — our national blood supply fell nearly 25% over the past month. During a blood shortage, doctors may face difficult choices about which patients receive blood transfusions and who will need to wait.   We are in urgent need of donors to help patients who are counting on lifesaving blood following accidents, during surgeries, and for treatment of conditions such as sickle cell disease and cancer. Help us beat the current shortage by scheduling an appointment to give blood or platelets: rdcrss.org/4aOA2d4

Our disaster volunteers are opening their hearts to help people in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, where communities are now facing the devastating aftermath of a second catastrophic storm. Just three months after Typhoon Sinlaku, Super Typhoon Bavi tore across the region over the Fourth of July weekend. With winds reaching 180 mph in Rota, Bavi also caused significant damage in Guam, Tinian and Saipan. For many families, this storm came before they had a chance to recover from the last one. Nearly 1,400 households across the islands were still living in tents, and another 1,100 were sheltering under temporary roofs. Red Cross volunteers from across the country are on the ground assessing damage and helping identify the most urgent needs. One of those volunteers is Guam resident Ellery Paz. In Yona, he visited two homes that flooded for the third time after also taking on water during Typhoon Mawar in 2023 and Typhoon Sinlaku in April. Across Guam, many residents remain without power and are coping with uprooted trees, flooding and extensive damage to their homes. Our teams are working around the clock in Guam and Saipan while continuing efforts to reach some of the hardest-hit communities on Rota and Tinian. In the days and weeks ahead, hundreds of Red Cross volunteers will help provide shelter, comfort and relief as families begin the long process of recovery once again. You can help people in the U.S. affected by Super Typhoon Bavi by making a financial donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Make a donation: rdcrss.org/4fcXGkY

"It was a heartbreaking scene." In February, a devastating fire in Georgia displaced multiple families and their pets. Cole Ettignhoff, a volunteer with the @GeorgiaRedCross, responded to the disaster to help families cope with the immediate aftermath and start to recover. But as families focused on finding their footing after the fire, concern grew for a puppy that had also been affected by the fire. She was the only survivor of her litter. Residents told Cole that the dogs had been cared for by members of the boarding house community. Wanting to help, fellow Red Cross volunteer Kelly Crane joined the effort to find the puppy a safe home. A few days later, while visiting a Red Cross office, the puppy caught the attention of Angela Morris, a former Red Cross staff member. Angela agreed to take the puppy in temporarily. Before long, that temporary arrangement became a forever home. Now, Clara Barkton — named in honor of Red Cross founder Clara Barton — is thriving with her family and her canine sisters. For the Red Cross volunteers responding that day, the priority was helping families facing the loss of their homes. But Clara Barkton's story became a small, meaningful reminder that compassion can take many forms during a disaster response.

Military children can hug their parents even when they're deployed across the world. The @SoCalRedCross helps make that possible through its Hug-a-Hero Doll Program. These special plush dolls are created in the likeness of a child's service member parent, providing comfort, connection and a reminder that they're loved. This latest group of dolls was given to children of U.S. Marine drill instructors at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego. Our local Service to the Armed Forces team helps deliver hundreds of Hug-a-Hero dolls to military children each year!

After being trapped for eight days under a collapsed building, Hernán Gil was rescued. ❤️ It took 106 hours for search and rescue teams to carefully pull Hernán out after Venezuela's recent earthquakes. It was a difficult rescue, one that many responders described as the most complex of their careers. We're in awe of the USAR teams and Red Cross responders who used their expertise, tools and knowledge to help save Hernán's life! Red Cross search and rescue support included: @CruzRojaVe, @CruzRoja_MX, @CruzRojaCRC, @CruzRojaCol

Our disaster teams are on the ground and ready to help after Super Typhoon Bavi made landfall in the Northern Mariana Islands, where communities are still picking up the pieces from Typhoon Sinlaku just three months ago. Bavi was the strongest storm to ever hit the island of Rota. Damaging winds are also impacting Tinian, Saipan and Guam, where many families are still living in tents or under temporary roofs from the previous storm. Shelters are open, and volunteers from across the country are standing by to provide comfort, meals and recovery supplies as soon as it's safe. Even more of our volunteers will arrive in the coming days as teams assess the impact of the storm and ensure people have the support they need during this difficult time. Follow the latest on how we're supporting communities affected by Super Typhoon Bavi, and learn how you can help: rdcrss.org/4gr7z0K

When 82-year-old Calvin Lewis heard crackling around 11 p.m., he rushed outside and saw every homeowner's worst nightmare. "I stepped out of the house and found my back porch fully engulfed in fire," Calvin said. The flames spread quickly, destroying the home he built 22 years ago along with countless personal belongings and family keepsakes. After the fire, volunteers with the @RedCrossNCFL helped him address immediate needs with financial assistance, support replacing medications, and guidance from a trained Red Cross caseworker. "The Red Cross provided me excellent service and did an exceptional job in helping me," Calvin said. "These are good people who did everything right." Calvin said the compassion shown by volunteers and staff made a lasting impression on him. Despite the heartbreak of losing his home and nearly everything inside it, he remains thankful for the support he received. "I've never had to experience the need for the Red Cross, but I know if I ever need them again, they will be there to help," Calvin said. As he continues his journey of recovery, Calvin is holding onto what matters most — the support of family and the kindness of strangers to move forward one day at a time.

Beep, beep, new merch coming through! Come to give blood through July 12 to score an iconic Red Cross x Looney Tunes™ T-shirt, while they last! Zoom in. Roll up a sleeve. Help save lives! Make an appointment to give: rdcrss.org/4paerSk

Meet Jim Parker, who has donated nearly 400 units of platelets with the @KSRedCross! 🎉 He began donating blood almost 50 years ago and has since become a dedicated platelet donor, donating platelets every two weeks with his wife, Linda. We’re very thankful for donors like Jim who help us make sure hospitals have blood products on hand for patients in need. ❤️

For over half of our country's history, our mission has been shaped by Clara Barton’s belief that people deserve help when they need it most. She founded the American Red Cross 145 years ago after encountering the international Red Cross network while traveling through Europe following the Civil War. Clara returned home determined to create an organization that would bring relief and care to people facing crisis. For 23 years, Clara led the Red Cross with compassion and purpose. Under her guidance, the organization responded to its first disasters at home and abroad, supported the U.S. military during the Spanish-American War, and helped lay the foundation for safety training programs that continue today. We honor Clara’s legacy — one that has made a difference across the U.S. for nearly two centuries — by helping communities recover from disasters, supporting service members and their families, teaching lifesaving skills, and providing lifesaving blood.

A few simple precautions around fireworks this Fourth of July can keep a fun celebration from turning into an emergency. Take a moment to review these safety reminders before you light the fuse.

Military spouses at Joint Base Lewis‑McChord in Washington are celebrating a big milestone as graduates of our Dental Assistant Program! Over the course of five months, these dedicated learners completed hands‑on training while contributing at least 600 volunteer hours in a dental clinic setting. Along the way, they built practical skills, boosted their confidence, and formed strong bonds with one another. This free program equips participants with competitive technical skills such as sterilization, infection control, and X‑ray techniques that prepare them for in‑demand roles in dental care. We’re so proud of this class and can’t wait to see where their new skills take them next!

@MariaUrgell1968 Hi Maria! Thank you so much for your kindness and desire to help! If you would like to donate, please contact your local chapter or complete the mail in donation form by visiting: rdcrss.org/4qj49y4

@RedCross where to send money to help Venezuela?

Dangerous heat is expected across much of the country, with millions of people likely to experience feels-like temperatures above 100 degrees this week. Extreme heat can quickly become life-threatening, so take steps now to protect yourself and your loved ones. 1) Stay hydrated. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks on hot days. 2) Avoid direct sunlight from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 3) Wear light-colored clothing. 5) Seek shade, wear a hat, or use an umbrella to stay cool. 6) Immediately go somewhere cool if you feel dizzy or nauseous, and call 911.

@JGWellnessDesgn Thank you so much for your kindness and desire to help! If you would like to donate, please contact your local chapter or complete the mail in donation form by visiting: rdcrss.org/4qj49y4

@RedCross Do you have a text donation option, as you’ve had for past natural disasters?

Teams with @CruzRojaVe are helping conduct search and rescue after last night's powerful series of earthquakes. Less than a minute apart, people first felt a 7.2 magnitude foreshock, followed by a 7.5 magnitude mainshock. As assessments continue and the full impact becomes clearer, the most urgent anticipated needs include search and rescue, safe shelter for displaced families, and access to emergency health care.

Don't let a campfire fool you. Even if the flames are gone, hot embers can keep burning and reignite. Drown ashes with water, stir thoroughly and check that everything is cool to the touch before walking away.

Since powerful earthquakes struck last week, local teams from @CruzRojaVe continue to support relief efforts, helping people impacted by this devastating disaster. Red Crossers have: - Supported search and rescue operations. - Provided family reunification services. - Set up a field hospital and first aid stations to give medical care. - Distributed food and water. - Provided emergency shelter to people who lost everything. To learn more about the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement response, read our article: rdcrss.org/44GjWi0