American Red Cross

When communities come together, the impact can be lifesaving. The Lake Havasu City Parks and Recreation Department is proving that by combining water safety education with meaningful partnerships to support Native communities and beyond. Through our Centennial Campaign, they’ve teamed up with tribal council members, local schools, and the Tribal Employment Resource Officer to make water safety accessible. Their efforts have already helped more than 250 people gain swimming and safety skills, trained over 30 tribal members in CPR and first aid, and even provided lifeguard employment to four Native Americans. And they’re just getting started. The team is preparing to launch a city and tribal-wide Hands-Only CPR initiative to increase the community’s ability to respond to cardiac arrests outside of the hospital — where 70% of these emergencies happen. Join us in celebrating Lake Havasu Parks and Rec for creating lasting impact and strengthening community resilience!

For Camila Gutierrez, helping others isn’t just a choice — it’s a family tradition that spans generations and continents. Camila grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, surrounded by the mission of La Cruz Roja Colombiana. Her parents, Fabio and Ana, met through the Red Cross and dedicated their lives to serving others. Fabio started as a volunteer at a young age to make friends, while Ana was motivated to learn first aid after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. They made their service a family affair by involving their daughter, Camila. Instead of spending her childhood at playgrounds, Camila attended Red Cross drills, training sessions, and events with her family. As the first child of the local Red Cross group, she received plenty of attention. In fact, she often acted as a disaster survivor during drills, appearing distressed and even wearing fake blood. Seeing her parents’ commitment to the community inspired Camila to make her own impact as a volunteer with the American Red Cross North Texas Region. She joined the local Disaster Action Team after her husband was transferred to the area and now uses her bilingual skills to help Spanish-speaking families recover after disasters like home fires. Camila also teaches Hands-Only CPR and Be Red Cross Ready classes, educates children about fire safety through our Prepare with Pedro program, and supports Sound the Alarm events — an initiative where volunteers visit high-risk communities and install free smoke alarms in homes. What’s next on Camila’s list? One of her future goals is to deploy to another state to support a national disaster. And, she has one piece of advice for anyone wondering if volunteering is the right fit: “As long as you're doing something — whether it's with your time, your money or anything else — you'll make a difference,” she said.

What’s filling your gratitude plate this year? For us, it’s you — the people who make our lifesaving work possible. Without your support, we couldn’t fulfill our mission of being there for people through life’s toughest moments. Thank you for showing up and sticking with us every single day. Now it’s your turn: What are you most grateful for this year? Share in the comments and help start a ripple effect of gratitude.

From college intern to chief officer, Hanna Malak’s Red Cross journey started with a deeply personal connection and has grown into a lifelong commitment to service. “My older brother Charlie had leukemia growing up and received a lot of blood transfusions when he was going through treatment,” Hanna said. “He’s a healthy, well nurse today, so he’s paying it forward in the medical field. That’s what drew me in.” Hanna’s internship through our Collegiate Leadership Program sparked a passion that led him to join the National Youth Council, host blood drives, and later apply for his first Red Cross job as an account manager. He points to his time on the council as a big reason he is where he is today. “It gave me such a strong foundation,” Hanna said. “I got to practice public speaking and take part in leadership opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.” Over the next 15 years, he embraced opportunities at the Red Cross across multiple lines of service, from supporting blood donation and fundraising to volunteer services and disaster response. “It’s hard to think of life without the Red Cross,” Hanna said. Today, Hanna leads as our chief mission impact and inclusion officer with the same commitment to service — and to the next generation of humanitarian leaders. “Youth are our future,” Hanna said. “The power of youth is just incredible. The energy and passion is inspiring and gives us new ideas and new approaches to things.” Hanna says when it comes to being inclusive in our mission, age is a major part of that. “Being able to engage them young and hopefully for their whole life cycle is so important,” Hanna said. “It was mentors that invested in me that got me into the role that I’m in today. It’s just an honor to give back.” Hanna’s story is proof that getting involved early can open doors to leadership, growth, and a lifetime of impact.

For Meloni Hallock, the Red Cross has been a lifelong calling. For her granddaughter, Midori Shelton, it’s a legacy she’s proud to carry forward. “I’ve always believed in building others up through hard times,” Meloni said. “That’s what the Red Cross does — and it’s what I’ve tried to pass down.” Meloni’s commitment to volunteering with the Red Cross began nearly 30 years ago, shaped by her family’s history during World War II. In 1942, her parents and grandparents — legal residents from Japan and U.S. citizens of Japanese-American descent — were incarcerated in remote internment camps. During that time, Quaker volunteers visited the camps, offering books, supplies and encouragement. Meloni grew up surrounded by stories of resilience and the kindness of others, values that continue to guide her today. In 2018, she invited Midori to the Tiffany Circle International Forum in Geneva. “That is where I received the world’s greatest crash course in all things the Red Cross does for people around the world,” Midori said. Today, both women are members of the Tiffany Circle, a community of women leaders who advance the Red Cross mission through focused investments of time, talent and treasure. From installing smoke alarms to supporting communities affected by wildfires, their bond grows stronger through service. “She’s taught me so much in my life, but at the root of all of it is the importance of caring for others,” Midori said. “As her only granddaughter, I relish the opportunity to learn from her and put those lessons into action.” Together, Meloni and Midori embody the spirit of the Red Cross — a legacy of compassion passed down through generations. ❤️

How long have you worked at your current job? For Adriana Higuera, the answer is 13 years, and what an impact she's made as a force for good! As a program manager for our Hands-Only CPR classes, Adriana makes sure every community gets lifesaving first aid training. Her commitment to this work is deeply rooted in her heritage as a first-generation Mexican American. By offering classes in Spanish, she creates a more engaging and meaningful experience for those learning in their native language. Her passion doesn’t stop at CPR. Adriana expanded our free WHALE Tales Water Safety Program for Children in Spanish and partnered with the Honduras Red Cross to share these resources abroad. Her goal is simple: to make sure people feel ready. #RedCrossCareers #BilingualJobs #NonprofitJobs

As we reflect on what we’re grateful for this week, the work of the American Red Cross quietly carries forward. Blood donations will be collected to provide lifesaving care for patients we may never meet. Volunteers will answer the call when a home fire upends a family’s world. And our teams will help military members stay connected in moments that matter. This steady, compassionate presence is the heartbeat of the Red Cross, and it’s made possible by people who lead with humanity every day. To all who give their time, kindness and hope to this mission: thank you. May this season bring peace and meaning to you and your loved ones.

Every day — and especially during this week of Thanksgiving — we’re deeply grateful for the generosity of T-Mobile and its employees who turn compassion into action. Your support of American Red Cross Disaster Relief helps us deliver critical aid when it's needed most, from shelter and food to emotional support and recovery assistance. With your support, we're helping families recover and strengthening community resilience after disasters. Thank you for standing with us to deliver help, hope and compassion. ❤️

When Eddie Ramos was deployed in Afghanistan with the U.S. Air Force, he received devastating news: his mother was sick. "My mother had chronic pneumonia," Eddie said. "She would be in and out of the hospital when I was growing up. But this time was different." Eddie suggested his family contact the Red Cross to initiate an emergency message. Within hours, his commander directed him to begin the journey home. He arrived in less than 48 hours, just in time to say goodbye. "She had one of those days where she was really with it," Eddie said. "She knew I was there and we talked. It's something I'll never forget." Eddie's mom passed less than two days after he arrived home. "Without that Red Cross message, there was no way that I was going to get there in time,” Eddie said. "It was a very powerful moment in my life." Years later, Eddie found a way to give back with the Red Cross. After volunteering for a year, he joined our Training Services team as a field operations manager, supporting a team of CPR instructors and volunteers who deliver lifesaving training. "My role is essentially to support them and give them everything that they need to deliver excellence in the classroom," Eddie said. For Eddie, the Red Cross feels like an extension of his military service and a natural fit for veterans looking to continue serving after service. “I think a lot of veterans don't realize that going to a nonprofit organization is such a great transition from military service because again that focus on the mission piece of it," Eddie said. "Often with service members, they want to serve a cause that's larger than themselves." We’re grateful for Eddie’s service and his lifelong mission to help others every day. ❤️

Troy Sonnier knows what it means to serve. A former Army National Guard officer who deployed during Operation Desert Storm, Troy now supports U.S. troops overseas as part of our expeditionary workforce. For the past year, Troy has lived on military bases in Romania and Estonia, helping service members stay connected to loved ones during emergencies and creating spaces for them to recharge. His favorite way to do that? Art. After 20 years in the corporate world following his service, Troy began volunteering with the Red Cross in Louisiana. Soon after, he found an opportunity to deploy with the organization and support the military community overseas. “Once I deployed, I realized that my passion for the arts, my passion for creativity could be a terrific voice that I have for young people who are deployed and the stresses that come with that,” Troy said. Through his “Cope and Paint” sessions, troops grab a canvas and brushes to disconnect from deployment life for a while. The goal is for them to instead connect with their creative side as a outlet. “I’ve always been a fan of anyone who serves or has served,” Troy said. “I have an empathy for them and what they’ve been through, what they’re going through because, again, it’s not an easy mission that they’ve chosen.” We’re grateful for Troy’s dedication to promoting resilience and connection for our heroes. ❤️