American Red Cross volunteers come from many diverse backgrounds, with different life experiences, but they all have something in common: they want to help others
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A Spirit to Serve
Jamshid Kiani’s path to the American Red Cross is a familiar one for many volunteers: he was led by a spirit to serve others. Media coverage of Red Cross disaster response in 2015 had piqued his interest, so he sought to learn more.
“A few months after retiring from my job as a chef at a private resort, preparing up to 1200 meals per day, I saw a news item showing Red Cross volunteers providing food and other items to affected clients. I was moved, and I thought to myself ‘I have the knowledge and ability to help with this,’ so I went online to see what the Red Cross is all about.”
“I Want To Do That!”
Barbara is a retired professional newspaper reporter, who has served in many positions with the Red Cross. Now, she is a public affairs volunteer, reporting on the Red Cross efforts to help those affected by wildfires, floods, tornadoes and other disasters.
Meet April Thacker: Making a Difference, One Family at a Time
When glancing through the list of April Thacker’s many American Red Cross volunteer roles, it’s easy to see why her peers describe her as “the Red Cross mission in action.”
Meet Stuart Chessen. Lifelong Volunteer, Dedicated Red Crosser
Stuart Chessen knows the value of preparedness, but also the power of helping people in their darkest moments.
A First Deployment: Telling The Red Cross Story During a Wildfire
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to volunteer for the American Red Cross during a disaster – take a look back with me at my first deployment experience – to the Caldor Fire in California. I am a Public Affairs volunteer with the Northern California Coastal Region. After retiring from a career in broadcast journalism, I now tell stories for the Red Cross.
Sound the Alarm: Red Crossers make hundreds of local homes safer throughout the month of May
By Martin Gagliano, Alex Keilty, Jenny Arrieta & Marcia Antipa Home fires claim seven lives every day in the U.S. and remain one of the
Service to the Armed Forces Volunteers Support ‘Wings Over Solano’ at Travis Air Force Base
By Larry Dietz, Public Affairs Officer The U.S. Air Force hosted their annual Wings Over Solano Air Show at Travis Air Force Base on May
Missing But Never Forgotten: Red Cross Program Reconnects Families
By Alex Keilty After retiring, some people play golf and some people play bridge, but Christine Medeiros plays amateur detective. Christine is a volunteer caseworker
Disaster Response: From Behind the Scenes to the Front Lines
When Cameron Bochman was completing his accounting degree in North Carolina did he ever imagine his work would take him to a meeting with FBI agents who were investigating a helicopter crash in New York City? No he didn’t, because his career path has been anything but predictable.
A Welcoming Presence
Ebony Jean Daniel has served as a Red Cross Blood Donor Ambassador – and friendly face – at the Oakland Blood Center for two and a half years, much of that time spent during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had the free time and felt that it was worth it to give the hours I give every week – to take the burden off others,” she said.
A Track Record for Saving Lives
There was that one time Ian Wigley gave CPR to a gentleman at a card game, and then there were those other times — at a wedding, a family gathering, and a restaurant — that he helped people who were choking. It’s fair to say that Ian, an Instructor Trainer with the American Red Cross, has a great track record for saving lives.
The Cost of War
“It’s just better for humanity that everyone knows about it.”
Bay Area teen Janaki Rakesh is talking about International Humanitarian Law (IHL), a set of rules developed under the Geneva Conventions designed to limit the impacts of armed conflict.
A Day at the San Jose Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center
Have you every wondered what a day in the life at our San Jose Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center is like? Meet a handful of the people that make the lifesaving work of the Red Cross possible – a volunteer, a phlebotomist and a blood donor.
Mo Ghandehari – Disaster Action Team Volunteer Extraordinaire
American Red Cross Volunteer Mo Ghandehari is an incredible example of the Red Cross mission – and of the caring and dedicated individuals who do what it takes to accomplish that mission.
A mother’s motivation
Every blood donor is motivated to do so for different reasons. Elizabeth Crisafulli discovered her personal motivation 22 years ago, when her daughter was born very prematurely at 28 weeks.
Red Cross: National blood crisis may put patients at risk
The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Give now to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.
Red Cross volunteer: “This is what we do; we go where we’re needed.”
“I’ve missed weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, special holidays,” says Wallace. “This was my first time missing Christmas.”
Looking back on 2021
Please join us as we say goodbye to 2021 with a look back at some of our favorite stories of the year from all of our lines of service.
Assistance League of San Jose Donates 50 Hug-A-Bears to American Red Cross
50 Hug-a-Bears from the Assistance League of San Jose will be given to children in need of support when the Red Cross responds to disasters.
“I’m here to help, and I care.”
“Margot is so gung ho, and so willing to do whatever it takes to help people out when they need it.”
Your Red Cross Update 