Three years ago, Sherry Kemp and her husband, Don, were enjoying retirement — spending time with their grandchildren, running a flea market booth, and taking long‑awaited trips together.
Then everything changed.
At first, Sherry thought she had a typical case of strep throat, but it wasn't improving. When doctors ran additional tests, they discovered alarmingly low platelet counts. The diagnosis followed quickly: stage four lymphoma.
From that moment on, blood transfusions became essential to Sherry. She quickly lost track of how many transfusions she received — platelets, packed red cells, and whole blood — from different donors each time.
There were moments when her need for blood became especially urgent, like when the hospital's blood supply was running low. A nurse once explained the reality of the situation they were facing, saying, “You need blood, but unless you’re actively bleeding, we can’t justify it. Our supply is low.”
As a former blood donor and nurse, she already knew blood donations were important, but in that moment, the fragility of the blood supply became real for Sherry. The care she needed depended entirely on whether blood was donated and available.
“I can’t walk into a store, go down aisle five, and buy 10 units,” she said.
Every transfusion came from someone — a stranger who chose to give without knowing who might need it. That level of generosity still leaves her searching for words.
“There’s no way I can adequately thank you,” she said. “It made the difference between living and not.”
Sherry’s journey isn’t over. She says she will probably need blood for the rest of her life. But for now, she'll continue to spend time with her family, watch her grandchildren grow, and make the most of the days she’s been given — all things made possible by the generosity of people who chose to donate. ❤️
#DonateBlood #GiveBlood #DonatePlatelets #DonateBloodSaveLives #GiveBloodSaveLives
You might feel tempted to jump in after seeing someone struggling in the water, but that can put you in danger, too. A panicked swimmer can accidentally pull you under. Instead, remember these steps:
- Shout to get the attention of a lifeguard, if one is nearby.
- If there is no lifeguard, call 911 or tell someone else to call.
- Reach out with an object — such as a stick or towel — and pull the person to safety.
- Throw a floating object — like a buoy or life jacket — to help them stay afloat.
These trees may be small now, but they'll have a big impact later. Volunteers with the Indonesian Red Cross Society (@PalangMerah_Indonesia ) planted over 2,000 mangrove trees across the country's islands.
When these trees grow, they'll help protect people and property near the water from coastal erosion and flooding due to storm surges.
Mangroves are also beneficial to the environment and provide places for animals and plants to thrive!
Tómate tu tiempo. Está bien bajar el ritmo.
Sentirte abrumado puede nublar tus pensamientos y generar tensión en tu cuerpo. Cuando eso pase, haz una pausa y prueba este ejercicio para conectar con el presente, uno que solemos compartir en nuestros talleres de conexión entre la mente y el cuerpo para miembros de las fuerzas armadas.
Elige un color y menciona todo lo que puedas ver a tu alrededor de ese tono. Entre cada objeto, inhala y exhala lentamente. Cuando termines, elige otro color y continúa durante el tiempo que necesites.
Norberto Escribano and his daughter, Nancy, have always had a close bond, but volunteering with the Red Cross has strengthened that relationship with a shared experience of helping others.
Norberto joined the Red Cross in 2024 as a disaster volunteer. He's responded to a range of emergencies, from multi-home fires to hurricanes. He also supports logistics, warehouse operations and transportation needs in the office.
“The primary reason I’m doing this is because I want to be able to help uplift others in the midst of chaos,” Norberto said.
A few months into his volunteer journey, he encouraged Nancy to give it a try. She surprised Norberto by applying online to become a volunteer just like him.
Nancy still remembers her first response: a multi-family fire at a mobile home park.
“There was a different feeling in the atmosphere," she said. "Helping the family, being there for them — it was very fulfilling."
Nancy has since taken on the role of Engagement Liaison with the Disaster Workforce Engagement team, supporting behind-the-scenes efforts like staffing shelters, volunteer outreach, and community events.
“It means a lot to me,” said Norberto about his and Nancy's shared purpose. “Getting to share this with my daughter is something I truly value.”
Nancy feels the same way.
“Volunteering has always meant a lot to me, but doing it with my dad makes it even more special,” she said.
Watching Nancy grow in her role has been rewarding for Norberto. He’s proud of her commitment and the way she continues to show up.
“I think about the kind of person she’s become,” he said. “We show up because we care, and that stands out to me.”
For Nancy, working alongside her dad feels like a natural extension of their relationship.
“My dad is always the person I call when I need anything,” she said. “Knowing we’re both needed when calls come in makes it really special. Not everyone gets to share moments like this with their parent. I really cherish it.”
There’s a sense of excitement around the Red Cross office when people see the father-daughter volunteer duo. Together, they’re making a difference — not just in their community, but in each other’s lives.
When Joe Kelly was a child, he tagged along with his dad to their local blood center, drawn in by a simple reward — a doughnut.
“My dad is O positive, so his blood was in heavy demand,” Joe said. “I remember he’d say, ‘Hey Joe, you want a doughnut?’ and I’d be tricked into going to the blood center because they had doughnuts at the time.”
Joe's father explained to him that he was simply helping others who needed his blood. That mindset led Joe to become a dedicated blood donor himself — and eventually a platelet donor with @RedCross_Michigan .
With his most recent donation, Joe reached an extraordinary milestone: 50 gallons donated, the equivalent of about 400 units of lifesaving blood products.
“All it took was my dad to be a role model and show me how to help other people through blood donation,” he said.
We’re grateful to blood donors like Joe and his dad for making a lasting difference for others. Join us in celebrating Joe for reaching this incredible milestone!
#DonateBlood #GiveBlood #BloodDonor #DonatePlatelets #PlateletDonor
Dive into the 15 Mile Swim Challenge this June and turn every lap into lifesaving impact!
By raising funds, you’ll help provide swim lessons that build water competency and help prevent drownings in communities nationwide. Plus, when you receive your first donation, you’ll earn an exclusive Red Cross swim towel.
Click the link in our bio to join the Swim Challenge to support swim lessons to help reduce drownings and build competence in the water.
Building bridges between cultures comes naturally to Master Sgt. Jin Lee.
An active-duty U.S. Air Force medical technician at Osan Air Base in South Korea, Jin also volunteers his time, serving as a key liaison between the American Red Cross and the Korean Red Cross. Bilingual and deeply rooted in both communities, Jin helps connect people, ideas, and shared purpose.
Jin began volunteering with the Red Cross in October 2022, motivated by a desire to serve in new and challenging ways. His role quickly expanded as joint community events resumed after a three-year pause due to COVID.
Since then, he has helped organize four to five major joint events with the Korean Red Cross and local partners, including the annual 8899 Celebration in Songtan, which honors senior citizens through cultural performances, health services, and volunteer support.
Often serving as the sole translator and coordinator, Jin’s leadership and cultural fluency have been critical to overcoming language barriers and building trust. His impact has been recognized on both sides of the partnership, including honors from the Korean Red Cross, the Red Cross CEO Award in 2024, and a letter of appreciation from the Pyeongtaek city governor.
This Military Appreciation Month, we thank Jin for his service and dedication to his country, community, and our humanitarian mission.
Nursing is deeply rooted in our history, and that legacy continues today. Nurses volunteer their time and talents to help people recover after disasters, support the military community, and teach lifesaving skills.
This National Nurses Week, we want to thank every nurse whose unwavering dedication and volunteer service helps people every day. ❤️
To the rescue! When these sheep were stranded on a mountain, search and rescue teams from @RodeKorsNorge found them and made sure they made it home safely. ❤️
Babysitters are neighborhood heroes. We're so grateful for all they do to support families and help keep kids safe.
With babysitting training, they’re building confidence to give first aid, manage emotions and behavior, and even run their own babysitting businesses. Show a sitter some love in the comments as we celebrate National Babysitter's Day!
#Babysitting #ParentingSupport #BabysittingAdventures #BabysittersClub
