American Red Cross

When did you first learn about the Red Cross? For Lina Martinez, it started with her mother, a volunteer with the Colombian Red Cross. Growing up in Colombia, Lina witnessed the power of giving your time to help others and strengthen your community. Those early memories of service stayed close to her heart, so when Lina found a chance to give back through the American Red Cross of Indiana, it felt like a full-circle moment. Lina serves on her local Disaster Action Team, helping families recover from devastating disasters. She ensures they feel supported and have access to the resources they need, whether they speak English or Spanish. «Sí, a mí me gusta mucho ayudar sobre todo a los hispanos porque sí siento que las posibilidades son más limitadas para muchas personas», dijo Lina. «Y el impacto que tiene poder hablar en tu idioma sobre todo cuando tú estás en un alto nivel de estrés facilita las cosas, y pues puede uno como prestarles esa visión». Lina says her ability to speak Spanish allows her to support people during high-stress situations and ease their worries so they can focus on recovery. This kind of mission work fills her heart, and she hopes it inspires others to step up and help their communities in times of need. No matter who you are or where you come from, you have the power to make a difference. Sign up to volunteer and see what opportunities are waiting for you: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.prdcrss.org/46Ic7ed

Two years ago, we implemented updated FDA guidelines that ended blood donation policies based on sexual orientation. For Red Cross phlebotomist Jake Alleger, it was more than just a policy change — it was personal. Jake had the honor of performing the blood draw for his partner, Jayden, during his very first donation. “Being able to take my partner’s blood donation and let him know how it will help people — it was very near and dear to my heart,” Jake said. He has worked with the American Red Cross Cascades Region for two years, and he’s proud to represent the organization at events like Portland Pride where he helped celebrate the anniversary of the change in donor eligibility at a special blood drive. “Blood is a really amazing thing that everybody needs and everybody will probably need at one point,” Jake said. “To not limit yourself because of who you love has been really important to me.” Jake continues to educate others about the updated guidelines that allow more people to give while keeping the blood supply safe, encouraging those who may be newly eligible to give blood. “There’s a lot of things that aren’t fair,” he said. “But we are making steps and making progress that is just amazing to see and be a part of.”

Burnout is real, and it can be hard to admit you need a break. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. A recent study found that 66% of U.S. employees are experiencing some level of burnout this year. The next time you feel drained, overwhelmed, or just “off,” keep these tips in mind and read this thoughtful Forbes piece by Trevor Riggen, president of Humanitarian Services at American Red Cross: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.prdcrss.org/4obUBoQ

Michelle Longman has worked with the American Red Cross Missouri and Arkansas Region 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 multiple blood and platelet transfusions — support that helped extend his life beyond expectations. This year, on what would have been his 70th birthday, Michelle honored his memory at work, sharing wildflower seed packets with her team and baking chocolate cupcakes, his favorite. “What I love about this job is that we’re helping people help people,” she said. “It’s a good reminder every day.” Michelle is also a blood donor herself. She is CMV-negative, which makes her blood especially valuable for babies in need for transfusions. We’re grateful to Michelle for sharing her story and for reminding us that behind every blood donation is the chance to give someone more time and more memories with their loved ones. ❤️ #DonateBlood #GiveBlood #BloodDonor

Red Crossers are beacons of hope when times are hard. Our workforce is guided by core values that support our humanitarian mission when we face emergencies head-on. #RedCrossCareers

Lifeguarding is more than just a summer gig — it's a calling that takes courage. For more than 100 years, we’ve been in the water training lifeguards and teaching people how to swim. These are just a few of the incredible individuals across the country who have saved lives on and off duty using the skills they’ve learned. We hope their stories inspire you to get trained to be there for people when it matters most.

Balancing grad school and volunteer work might sound tough, but for Aduragbemi Alabi, it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of her college experience. Shortly after moving to the U.S. from Nigeria in 2023, Aduragbemi became a blood donor ambassador, helping ensure donors feel welcomed at blood drives. Her admiration for the organization began back home, where she saw the Nigerian Red Cross in action. "I’ve always been inspired by the impactful work they do," Aduragbemi said. "Blood services in particular resonates with me because sickle cell disease is common in Nigeria and blood donation often plays a critical role in treatment." Her volunteer journey is also opening doors for professional development as she earns her Master of Science at Georgia State University. “Each shift brings opportunities to meet amazing people, from professionals in my field who share valuable advice, to fellow student volunteers," Aduragbemi said. “I’m grateful for every opportunity to serve and excited to continue finding new ways to give back." Next up at the Red Cross, Aduragbemi is exploring an opportunity to serve on the volunteer recruitment team as a volunteer screener. We love seeing volunteers like her support our mission in more ways than one!

When emergencies strike, Red Cross volunteers are there to help — delivering meals, shelter, and hope to those in need. And today (July 29), you can help them do even more. Thanks to a generous match from Land O'Lakes, Inc. and its foundation, every dollar you give will be doubled, up to $100,000, to support our disaster relief efforts across the country. “Showing up for neighbors, community, friends and family — that's what we are about,” said Morgan Kinross-Wright, Vice President, Community Relations and Executive Director for Land O’Lakes Foundation. “As a farmer-owned cooperative present in thousands of communities across the country, Land O'Lakes, Inc.'s support of the Red Cross is aligned with our co-op values." Donate today to make your gift go twice as far: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.prdcrss.org/4l0vySS

Extreme heat is becoming more common, more intense, and sticking around longer — and it’s putting more people at risk. Red Cross disaster team members are prepared to do their part to help people stay safe when it’s too hot outside. Some of the ways they'll help are by: • Opening and supporting cooling centers with partners. • Distributing water and providing first aid at large community events. • Working with community partners to reach older adults and individuals with disabilities who may need extra support during extreme heat.

The simple act of donating blood can have such a profound impact on families — just ask the parents of baby Daisy, who shared their story on the TODAY Show: https://xmrrwallet.com/cmx.plnkd.in/gQVqjY_P We also want to share a big thank you and congratulations to Craig Melvin for giving blood on live TV and reaching his 3-gallon blood donation milestone! 🎉