How One Red Cross Volunteer Overcame Her Fear of Donating Blood
I became a first-time blood donor, thanks to the American Red Cross and its incredible volunteers. – Ava Arteaga
Shortly after joining the Red Cross as a volunteer, I realized I had never donated blood. I knew blood donations had decreased since the beginning of the pandemic and decided this would be a great way to begin my volunteer journey and contribute to those in need of lifesaving blood.
I began this process by booking an appointment online at RedCrossBlood.org. I scheduled an appointment and decided to complete my RapidPass® next— this way I could save time on the day of the blood donation. When the day...
Source: Red Cross Chat - May 19, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Blood Volunteers Source Type: news
Thank you, EG America, for helping power our lifesaving mission!
Every day, people face emergencies of all sizes — from prolonged and life-threatening blood shortages, to more frequent and intense natural disasters, to immediate and unique challenges faced by military families, to a person in need of CPR provided by a trained bystander. And every day, the American Red Cross is there, helping families and communities in times of great need.
Ashley Svevar, Regional Chief Development Officer for the Red Cross of Massachusetts, enjoys a free coffee from Cumberland Farms.
Standing with the Red Cross and helping power its lifesaving mission are companies like EG America, a leading convenien...
Source: Red Cross Chat - April 27, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Disaster Volunteers american red cross disaster relief Disaster Response EG America Free Coffee red cross month Red Cross volunteers Source Type: news
When Studying a Hero Makes You a Hero
When 6-year-old Claire Stewart was given the task of learning and writing about a hero, she chose Clara Barton. Little did the Corpus Christi, TX, kindergartener know that she, in turn, would become a Red Cross hero, herself.
Claire, the oldest of the three daughters of Elizabeth and David Stewart, attends St. James Episcopal School. Her teacher challenged her with an assignment to research and write four facts about someone they consider a hero. Perhaps it was because their first names are similar, but Claire chose Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross.
“She didn’t know that [Clara] worked for the American R...
Source: Red Cross Chat - April 11, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Disaster History american red cross clara barton Disaster Response Red Cross history texas Texas Gulf Coast Source Type: news
A Day in the Life of a Red Cross Communications Delegate in Europe
Meet, Edgar Zúñiga, an American Red Cross Ukraine Communications Delegate currently based in Budapest, Hungary. For the next year, Edgar will play an important role in sharing stories of people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine.
Every day for Edgar can look a little different, but if you’re curious to know what a typical day looks like for a Communications Delegate in Europe, here’s a peak at one of his journal entries.
Location: Chisinau, Moldova
2:30 a.m.: Woke up for a quick virtual Red Cross meeting from Chisinau, Moldova. It was the middle of the night here vs in the U.S. I didn’t need to jump on the call ...
Source: Red Cross Chat - April 6, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: International american red cross Edgar Zuniga ifrc Moldova Ukraine Ukraine Communications Delegate Source Type: news
Clara Barton ’s Dress: A Piece of Red Cross History Restored
Watch how Conservator Newbold ‘Newbie’ Richardson dresses the mannequin and learn more about Clara Barton’s dress.
Historical garments are artifacts that can tell us a great deal about the person who wore them. In Fall 2021, Clara Barton’s great, great, great niece, Sue Stafford, donated a dress worn by our founder to the American Red Cross. After examining the dress, we learned it was made of an expensive, imported silk brocade woven in the 1850s. With its 120” round hoop crinoline petticoat, Clara was considered fashionable for her time. She most likely wore this dress while she was meeting with members of the ...
Source: Red Cross Chat - March 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: History 19th Century Fashion american red cross clara barton Clara Barton's Dress Red Cross history Source Type: news
Stories of Hope and Help from T ürkiye
“The needs here are so vast and the challenges immense.”
For the past week, Susan Malandrino, Communications Lead for the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Division has been on the ground in Türkiye with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC), supporting people who were affected by two powerful earthquakes earlier this month and several additional quakes following them.
Through her daily encounters with international Red Cross teams and the people they are helping, she finds glimmers of hope and resiliency during a difficult time. Here’s a glimps...
Source: Red Cross Chat - February 24, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: International american red cross disaster Disaster Response earthquake ifrc Turkey Turkey Earthquake Turkish Red Crescent Türkiye Source Type: news
Kindness Comes Full Circle in Poland for Red Crosser Harold West
While working in Germany, I met Harold West, who simply goes by “West.” He came to volunteer with our organization by an act of kindness that occurred more than 40 years ago.
West went into the Army right after high school. He was one of the last group of folks who had draft numbers and quickly found himself on the ground in Vietnam. West says that it was a good experience for him, but during that tour, he learned that his brother-in-law passed away.
“That’s when the Red Cross contacted me. They helped me out quite a bit and offered support. I never forgot it,” he said.
He recalled that this assistance was a de...
Source: Red Cross Chat - February 3, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Military Support american red cross deployment Poland SAF service to the armed forces veteran volunteering Source Type: news
At a Red Cross Shelter for Ukrainians
“I don’t want anyone to be hungry – ever.” Ljudmila said.
Recently, Red Crosser Susan Malandrino traveled to Hungary and met with people who are trying to find a sense of normalcy after they fled the conflict in Ukraine. Ljudmila, is one of the people Susan was able to sit down with and hear how she is persevering and finding ways to give back, despite leaving everything behind. Keep reading to hear Susan’s first perspective of her experience meeting Ljudmila:
Dolling out bowls of her homemade borscht for volunteers and Ukrainians alike, she worked with the command and efficiency of a drill sergeant. She...
Source: Red Cross Chat - January 30, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: International american red cross ifrc International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Ukraine Ukraine crisis Source Type: news
One South Carolina Family Shares Their Home Fire Story and Gratitude for Red Cross ’ Help
In late October, Cody Lucas and his family experienced a devastating home fire. He recalls the moments of that night that changed his life.
“We were all in the house. I had just gotten off work at about 11 o’clock, and me and my daughter were up a little later than usual. We were up watching tv and eating some candy from Halloween. We were pretty much in bed. We should have been asleep but thank god we weren’t,” Cody Lucas of Greenwood, SC, remembers the night that changed his life.
Volunteers from the American Red Cross of South Carolina region responded to the fire that night as Cody and his famil...
Source: Red Cross Chat - December 13, 2022 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Disaster american red cross Disaster Response home fire Red Cross volunteers south carolina Source Type: news
Service After Service: Marine Corps Veteran Nastassia Dahl
Leading up to Veterans Day, we’re sharing stories of U.S. military veterans who continue their legacy of service with the American Red Cross. These veterans have made an impact on and off the battlefield and continue to do so through our mission today.
Meet Nastassia Dahl, a Red Cross senior analyst in supply management. Before her career at the Red Cross, Nastassia served as an active-duty Marine. Stationed at the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion in San Antonio, Texas, she worked as a Spanish cryptologic linguist and intelligence analyst. Her seven-year Marine career included deployments to Central America as an air...
Source: Red Cross Chat - November 10, 2022 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Military Support american red cross Job Opportunity marine corps Marine Corps Veteran Military Veteran Red Cross Careers SAF Service After Service service to the armed forces Supply Management veterans day Source Type: news
Service After Service: Army Veteran Dave Schoeneck
Leading up to Veterans Day, we’re sharing stories of U.S. military veterans who continue their legacy of service with the American Red Cross. These veterans have made an impact on and off the battlefield and continue to do so through our mission today.
Dave Schoeneck currently serves as a Red Cross volunteer with the Minnesota and Dakotas Region but his service to the Red Cross didn’t start until after his military service.
It all started in September 1964, while he was a freshman in college, Dave began working as a reporter and photographer for his hometown newspaper “The New Ulm Daily Journal” in southern...
Source: Red Cross Chat - November 9, 2022 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Military Support Volunteers american red cross Army veteran Disaster Response Military Veteran Red Cross volunteer SAF Service After Service service to the armed forces veterans day volunteering Source Type: news
Service After Service: Army Veteran Elisa Basnight
Leading up to Veterans Day, we’re sharing stories of U.S. military veterans who continue their legacy of service with the American Red Cross. These veterans have made an impact on and off the battlefield and continue to do so through our mission today.
From her time as a cadet at West Point to a successful career in the Army, Elisa Basnight has always had a passion to serve others and make a positive difference through her work. That legacy continued after service as she built a career as a lawyer and transitioned to the Red Cross, serving as the Biomedical Services Senior Vice President for Supply Chain. She says her wo...
Source: Red Cross Chat - November 8, 2022 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Military Support american red cross army Army veteran Job Opportunity military veterans Red Cross Careers SAF Service After Service service to the armed forces veterans day Source Type: news
Carrying On Service Above Self: How Military Veteran & Volunteer Roberto Mendoza Continues to Serve Others Through the Red Cross
Throughout the week leading up to Veterans Day, the American Red Cross is recognizing veterans who continue their second service in local communities across the country.
In North Carolina, retired Air Force veteran Roberto Mendoza continues to put service above self. For more than 40 years, Roberto has served as a proud Red Cross volunteer.
“I try to help out as much as I can. I see a lot of veterans in this country, those that have served this country and some of them probably put their lives on the line. So, whenever I can help out, I will help out.”
Roberto graduated from high school during the height of the Viet...
Source: Red Cross Chat - November 7, 2022 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Military Support Volunteers american red cross Military Veteran SAF service to the armed forces veterans day volunteering Source Type: news
Red Cross Volunteers Offer Support for Older Adults through ‘Dial-A-Friend’ Program
Meet James Ravenel, an American Red Cross Central Florida region volunteer and the Greater Orlando Coordinator for a unique Red Cross service called “Dial-A-Friend.”
James Ravenel, an American Red Cross Central Florida region volunteer, hunkered down while Hurricane Ian made landfall, and then went right back to work at the Red Cross office in the Greater Orlando area. His clients need him whether there is a hurricane or clear skies.
James is a Coordinator for a unique Red Cross service in Orlando called ‘Dial-A-Friend.’ His clients, all older adults and mostly living alone, call him whenever they have a ne...
Source: Red Cross Chat - October 28, 2022 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Disaster american red cross Dial A Friend Program Disaster Response hurricane Older Adults Orlando volunteer volunteering Volunteers Source Type: news
Red Cross Mental Health Volunteer Helps Hurricane Ian Survivors Cope
“We work as a team, and everyone jumps in to help.”
From Michigan to Florida, Red Cross volunteer Kimberly McKenzie traveled on her third deployment to help people affected by Hurricane Ian in the southwest Florida area. Kimberly started volunteering for the Red Cross in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Now, she serves as a disaster mental health specialist when she deploys to disasters outside her home and local Red Cross chapter.
At home, Kimberly is a clinical social worker and a first responder helping patients with drug-abuse challenges and chronic mental health disorders. As a Red Cross Disaster Action Team...
Source: Red Cross Chat - October 25, 2022 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: American Red Cross Tags: Disaster Volunteers american red cross coral gables florida Disaster Mental Health disaster relief Disaster Response Hurricane Ian Red Cross volunteer Southwest Florida SWFL volunteering Source Type: news
