The official account of the American Red Cross.

Washington, DC
Hawaii is once again preparing for a hurricane threat as Hurricane Nolo approaches the islands. After already facing multiple tropical systems this season, communities are now bracing for the potential of life-threatening flooding, strong winds and power outages. @HawaiiRedCross volunteers are closely monitoring the storm and coordinating with partners. Additional disaster responders are also on the way to support communities as they prepare for possible impacts. Whether you live in Hawaii, have loved ones there, or simply want to help, here's what to know about the storm, how to stay safe, and ways you can support those who may be impacted.
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As communities in Hawaii prepare for Hurricane Nolo, the Red Cross is mobilizing to support those who may be impacted. Your gift to Disaster Relief helps ensure we're ready to respond when disasters happen and provide support and hope to people when they need it most. Consider making a gift today by texting 'REDCROSS to 90999 or visiting: rdcrss.org/4xEltRP
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A nor’easter could bring flooding, strong winds and power outages to parts of the East Coast this weekend. Take a few minutes to prepare now. If flooding threatens your area, move to higher ground immediately. If the power goes out, use flashlights instead of candles, and keep a power bank charged so you can stay connected and receive emergency alerts.
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We're serving up something special! Take home an exclusive pickleball paddle and ball — while they last — when you come to give blood or platelets through Sept. 30 at a Red Cross blood donation center and mention “pickleball.” Book your time to donate: rdcrss.org/3Te5rQF
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Growing up in El Salvador, Francis Huezo witnessed firsthand the challenges people face during difficult times. Years later, those experiences guide her work with the American Red Cross. Francis came to the United States with her twin brother at age 18 and built a life rooted in service. From ministry to medical interpretation and now disaster response, every chapter of her journey has been centered on helping people navigate life's toughest moments with dignity and compassion. When she joined the Red Cross, she didn't have a background in disaster response. What she did have was empathy. "I didn't know how to professionally deal with disasters, but I knew how to hold people's hands,” Francis said. “I knew what it is to give them a plate of food, because sometimes that's the only thing you can do for people.” Today, Francis serves as both a Community Disaster Program Manager and Diverse Community Investment Program Manager with @ARCGoldCountry, helping build stronger connections with communities across Northeastern California. Her bilingual Spanish-language skills help ensure more people can access preparedness information, disaster support and recovery resources when they need them most. She also supports nearly 100 volunteers across teams that collectively speak Spanish, Punjabi, English and Russian, reflecting the diverse communities they serve and helping build trust before and after disasters. For Francis, service isn't about recognition. It's about people. "If you can love people, do it humbly and honestly; that is the best sermon I can give anyone," she said. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we're proud to celebrate Francis and the many Hispanic and Latino Red Crossers whose lived experiences, cultural connections and commitment to service help make our mission stronger. Somos Unidos en Acción and Stronger Together. ❤️ #HispanicHeritageMonth
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We’re turning up the volume with an all-new Red Cross x @Metallica Blood Donation Experience, sponsored by @Delta, in Las Vegas! 🎸 Beginning Monday, Sept. 28, fans can give blood at Fashion Show Las Vegas on the Strip and step into an exclusive backstage-inspired experience during Metallica’s Vegas residency. Those who come to give blood will get: - An exclusive, limited-edition Red Cross x Metallica T-shirt designed by Squindo, while supplies last. - The chance to sit behind a replica drum kit inspired by one used by Lars Ulrich. - A chance to win that same one-of-a-kind replica drum kit, built by TAMA and similar to one specially made for Ulrich for Metallica’s WorldWired Tour. (T&C apply.) - Access to the Delta Backstage Lounge for post-donation refreshments. Join the Metallica family — help save lives and make your appointment to donate: rdcrss.org/47bLgpG
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"Stay safe, Mommy. We can rebuild a house, but we can't rebuild a mommy." When floodwaters trapped Celeste on the roof of her home, those were the words she read from her daughter. For two days, she remained stranded on top of her home without cell service, searching for a way to communicate. With floodwaters still surrounding her and few options left, she managed to send a text message no parent ever wants to write: "In case I don't make it, I love you all, and remember everything I taught you." Meanwhile, her sister and co-workers, knowing she lived alone, searched tirelessly for her. "I saw the helicopters going back and forth all day and night, and then finally on Thursday they came for me," Celeste said. Thankfully, a rescue helicopter reached Celeste and brought her to safety. But her road to recovery was just beginning. The flood had taken nearly everything: her home, livestock, beloved pets, important documents, and the medication her daughter, who is battling cancer, desperately needed. A friend told her about a disaster assistance center in Uvalde. She went hoping to pick up a few clothes for her children but left with far more than she expected. "The Red Cross found out we were sleeping in our truck and helped get us into a hotel," Celeste said. "They helped us with food and with the medication my daughter needs." Celeste and her family were so grateful for the support they received from volunteers with the @RedCrossCSTR. When they visited the local chapter, volunteers welcomed them with open arms, even providing toys and pastries for the kids. "Y'all were truly God-sent to us," Celeste said. "We had nowhere to go, nothing to eat. We had lost everything. We are more grateful than you could ever imagine. It's OK to ask for help because there are good people like y'all out there willing to help."
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This group of graduates is ready to help fight cavities and keep smiles healthy! They recently completed our free Dental Assistant Program, which helps military dependents build valuable healthcare skills, gain hands-on experience in areas like X-rays, and pursue a career they can take wherever military life leads. To celebrate their accomplishments, the @HawaiiRedCross helped host a graduation party recognizing the dedication and hard work these students put into their training, including 1,000 hours of study and 880 hours of hands-on experience. Join us in congratulating these graduates on this exciting milestone and wishing them success as they begin the next chapter of their healthcare careers!
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In 2016, Elizabeth Gill lost her daughter, Rachel, in an apartment fire. Rachel was just 37 years old and didn't have a working smoke alarm in her bedroom. "I'm convinced she would have lived if she had a smoke alarm in her bedroom," Elizabeth said. Today, Elizabeth is turning her grief into action. She recently led her first Sound the Alarm event in Rabun County, Georgia. Alongside 28 Rotary Club members and @GARedCross volunteers, she helped install more than 50 free smoke alarms and shared fire safety information with neighbors. Every installation was an opportunity to help another family avoid the heartbreak she knows all too well. Elizabeth's commitment to helping others reaches far beyond our Sound the Alarm events. She also hosts an annual luncheon for the Atlanta fire station that responded to Rachel's fire, honoring the firefighters who helped her daughter and countless others. It's one of many ways she continues serving her community while keeping Rachel's memory close to her heart. "I want Rachel to be proud," Elizabeth said. "She was a very strong, dynamic person, and had she lived, she would have made a huge impact on the world. If I can do that for her instead and carry a message that helps other people, that's what's most important to me."
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Most 12-year-olds are collecting stuffed animals for themselves. Sadie is giving them a second life. After learning that children affected by home fires often lose the things that bring them comfort, Sadie decided to help. She rescues worn-out stuffed animals from thrift stores, carefully restores them by hand and donates them to @RedCross_NC to be shared with children recovering from disasters. When local Red Cross volunteers needed more comfort items for children affected by disasters, Disaster Program Specialist Jon McCollum turned to the community for help. That’s when Sadie answered the call. "Hearing the stories was heartbreaking," Sadie said. "That's why I did it." Since then, she has donated 114 restored stuffed animals, helping bring comfort to children on some of their hardest days. What started as a simple act of kindness has become an ongoing family project. Sadie continues to restore and donate stuffed animals for children affected by disasters and hopes her story inspires other young people to make a difference in their own communities. In recognition of her efforts, Jon and fellow volunteers recently presented Sadie with the Young Humanitarian Award at the Central Surry Volunteer Fire Department. Let’s give it up for Sadie! Join us in celebrating her kindness and thanking her for helping children feel a little less alone after a disaster. 💛
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It doesn't matter if you're a strong swimmer, you're not going to win fighting a rip current. To spot a rip current, look for a narrow band of choppy, fast-moving water that flows differently from the areas around it. Fighting against it can quickly exhaust you and carry you farther from shore. Follow these tips on how to escape safely.
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When severe storms left families across Illinois with home damage and no power, one local church stepped up to help. Bethel Baptist Church and the Bethel Community Impact Center in Chicago Heights opened their doors so @RedCrossIL could establish a shelter for people affected by the storms. “The reason why it was an automatic yes [when asked to help] is that first and foremost, the Southland of Chicago is home for me, and particularly Chicago Heights,” said Senior Pastor Lawrence Blackful Jr. As communities across Illinois faced repeated rounds of severe weather, partnerships like this helped ensure families had a safe place to stay, meals to eat, and support when they needed it most. The Bethel Community Impact Center, Red Cross volunteers, and Cook County Emergency Management teams worked side by side to care for residents impacted by the storms. “All of our teams have really come together to serve the families of the Southland, and that does my heart good," the pastor said. For Yachiyl “Ya-Ya” Swapsy, that partnership made a difficult situation feel a little less overwhelming after a tree damaged her home and left her without power for seven days. “We just came to the shelter because we didn’t have electricity,” Ya-Ya said. “It just became overwhelming being in the dark all day. The amount of help I received from the Red Cross is just heartwarming because everybody has been so hospitable, so caring, so nurturing, just checking on us, making sure we’re okay.” Our disaster relief work wouldn't be possible without community partners willing to step forward when their neighbors need help. Through partnerships with organizations like Bethel Baptist Church and the Bethel Community Impact Center, communities can respond faster, reach more people, and provide comfort when it matters most. ❤️
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For James Gilbert, serving others didn't end when he retired from the U.S. Army. Today, the retired sergeant major volunteers with the @RedCrossNCGC at Fort Meade, where he helps patients at the Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center navigate appointments, learn new technology, and simply feel seen. Whether offering a wheelchair, explaining a prescription kiosk, or taking time to listen, James believes every interaction matters. "We tell them to have a seat while they wait and we talk to them," James said. "By the end, they'll say, 'Thank you. I miss talking to a human being.'" After losing his wife seven years ago, James found purpose and community through volunteering. He brings his compassion to every shift, helping patients, veterans and service members feel supported when they need it most. His dedication recently earned him the Public Service Commendation Medal from Fort Meade, recognizing the difference he makes through countless acts of service, both big and small. "It makes me happy," James said. "To interact with those who come in, to smile and welcome them, is just a good feeling."
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Say hello to a supercute, exclusive Red Cross x Hello Kitty® collectible plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, created just for Red Cross blood donors! Get yours when you come to give blood through Sept. 20, while they last. Make an appointment to give: rdcrss.org/4xCenyk
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People across Indiana are beginning to pick up the pieces after severe flooding and storms forced hundreds of rescues and evacuations, damaged homes, and washed out roads and bridges. While supporting affected communities, Red Cross disaster volunteers have met people whose lives were turned upside down in an instant and heard firsthand how these storms have impacted them: - Tanya was relieved to learn she and her beloved 15-year-old dog could stay together in a pet-friendly Red Cross shelter after a tree fell on her home and left it without power. - Eddie and his grandmother, Ramona, were rescued by boat and brought to a Red Cross shelter. With several medical needs, Ramona received a medical cot and access to power for her oxygen equipment. They were also reunited with family members staying at the shelter. - Jon, who relies on regular dialysis treatments, has been able to access critical care and support from Red Cross nurses while staying in our shelter in Gary. - Ismael and his wife, Maritzabel, who is expecting a baby girl in the coming weeks, turned to a Red Cross service center after floodwaters poured into their home. Along with their two young children, they're now navigating their recovery. While power has been restored in some areas and some people have been able to return home to assess the damage, recovery is just beginning for many. The challenges ahead can be overwhelming, but local Red Cross teams will continue to provide shelter, relief supplies, recovery support, and hope in the days and weeks ahead. Follow the @IndianaRedCross for updates and more stories from the people and communities we're helping throughout their recovery journey.
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Military spouses Younkyeong Bang, Julia Thao, and Yurany Henderson recently completed our Dental Assistant Program at Fort Leonard Wood and are ready for rewarding careers in healthcare. This free program helped the three graduates overcome the challenges of starting over, expand their skills, and pursue new professional opportunities. For Younkyeong, who has lived in South Korea, Texas and Missouri during her husband's military career, the program opened the door to a new professional path after she struggled to find administrative work. "For me, this program is about much more than learning dental assisting skills," Younkyeong said. "It has allowed me to build a strong foundation for a new career, gain confidence, stay motivated and stay connected with the military community." After years focused on raising her family and volunteering, Julia enrolled in the program when her children got older. Returning to the classroom was challenging, but she discovered a passion for patient care and healthcare support. "The program gave me confidence and helped me discover my strengths," Julia said. Yurany, who learned about the program through Facebook after relocating to Missouri from Hawaii, brought previous dental assistant training and found the program helped her continue building a career she enjoys. "I really like the work," Yurany said. "I am a hands-on person, and I am very interested in science and medicine." Join us in congratulating Younkyeong, Julia and Yurany on this amazing career milestone!
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Days after a tornado tore through Menasha, Wisconsin, Christian and Billie stood in the spot where their home once stood. The house they rented has been reduced to rubble, with pieces of appliances, furniture and personal belongings scattered across the property. Looking over the wreckage, Billie recalled the terrifying moments when the tornado struck. Christian was at work while Billie was home with their two children. With no basement to shelter in, she gathered the kids and moved to the center of the house as tornado warnings sounded. Moments later, the storm was on top of them. Billie watched as powerful winds ripped the roof from their home. “All I could think about was holding onto my children so they would not fly away,” she said. Soon after, the back of the house collapsed. Despite the destruction, Billie and her children survived, and they climbed out of the debris after the storm passed. Billie suffered a fractured ankle, but her children escaped without injury. In the days that followed, as the family faced the loss of their home and uncertainty about what would come next, @RedCrossWIS volunteers were there, offering aid and support. For Christian, seeing Red Cross volunteers arrive gave him hope. He said the support from volunteers, neighbors and community members meant the world to his family as they began to recover.
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Imagine answering the call to help — again and again — as disasters strike across the country. That's what more than 2,170 Red Cross volunteers have done since July, supporting families impacted by tornadoes, severe flooding, wildfires and more. Together with our partners, they've helped: • Serve 102,760+ meals and snacks • Provide 9,500+ overnight stays in 135 emergency shelters • Assess nearly 11,000 homes for storm damage • Support 3,580+ people with recovery support, including financial assistance Behind every number is a person facing one of the toughest days of their life: a family displaced by wildfire, a homeowner cleaning up after a storm, or someone searching for a safe place to spend the night. As disasters become more frequent and intense, the need for support continues to grow. Your donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief helps provide safe shelter, meals, relief supplies, and recovery support for people facing unimaginable loss. Donate today to help ensure we're ready to respond whenever and wherever disaster strikes next. Every gift, no matter the amount, makes a big difference: rdcrss.org/4zAf0th
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Returning home after a wildfire is one of the hardest moments a survivor can face. For Jim, it meant saying goodbye to a home he spent 25 years building. When Jim returned for the first time after the Aspen Acres Fire in Colorado, he and his daughter, Julia, walked through the remains together, reflecting on all they had lost. Among the debris, Julia found several decorative pots that had survived the fire and carried them back to her father. In that difficult moment, @COWYRedCross Disaster Mental Health volunteer Mike Baker was there to listen, support, and help the family begin processing what came next. For Jim, returning home brought painful confirmation of what the fire had taken. But he didn't have to face that moment alone. In the days, weeks and months after a disaster, recovery is about more than rebuilding homes. As families navigate grief, loss and uncertainty, disaster mental health volunteers are there to help them face the road ahead. ❤️
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Mango and Mitzi are bringing a little sweetness and joy to the front lines of the Spokane wildfires. Working with the Red Cross through 348 Golden Angels, these therapy dogs visited Washington Air National Guard members supporting wildfire relief efforts. Between assembling and distributing hundreds of wildfire kits, sifters and emergency supplies for people impacted by the wildfires, service members were able to take a mindful break and spend some time with our furry friends. We're thankful for everyone, including those with four paws, helping bring hope and healing to communities in need.
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