American Red Cross of Illinois on LinkedIn: A huge thank you to our incredible Red Cross team who responded to an… (2024)

We are thrilled to welcome ALDI USA into the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program! As we enter what are often the most active disaster months of the year, donors like ALDI help ensure we’re ready to help those impacted by disasters big and small at a moment’s notice. Thank you for standing with us to deliver hope and comfort when it matters most. ❤️Read the full article here: https://rdcrss.org/4fLls6Q

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Thank you to our dedicated Red Crossers who participated in the Bud Billiken Parade festivities this past weekend! The day united Chicagoans in music, dance, food, and laughter. Our Red Crossers were on hand providing emergency preparedness information and motivating festival goers to volunteer or donate blood with us. Also, a big 'Thank You!' to Chicago's Mayor, Brandon Johnson, and members of his office who stopped by our booth -- thank you for your support of the Red Cross.We invite you to put on a red vest and #volunteer with us. RedCross.org/VolunteerCity of Chicago

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Looking forward to meeting her baby, Ashley was not expecting the turn of events that forever impacted her life. After 40+ hours of intense labor, Ashley’s doctor determined it was time for a c-section. Ashley vaguely remembers the course of events surrounding her c-section but does recall the various feelings hitting her at the same time."I remember the emotional, overwhelming, exciting feelings when I finally got to see my son in recovery, but I also remember the sheer exhaustion and confusing feeling of not having the energy to move. Eight hours after my son was born, bloodwork determined that I had a low blood count and that blood transfusions might help my recovery. I can’t articulate how I felt after receiving two units of blood. Life was breathed into me – I felt ALIVE!” --Ashley AmbeauMore than a quarter of all blood products each year are used in critical care and emergency room situations, highlighting the importance of generous blood and platelet donors.Make an appointment to give blood or platelets now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Hurricane Debby exited the U.S. over the weekend, but the damage she left behind is still impacting thousands of people. More than 700 American Red Cross disaster workers are with them, providing comfort, support and relief.We are so proud of our Illinois region volunteers who have traveled to lend a helping hand to those impacted by Tropical Storm Debby. Thank you for all you do to alleviate human suffering!❤️ Yasmin Clinton of the Greater Chicago Chapter❤️Nicholle Riley of the Greater Chicago and Illinois River Valley Chapters❤️ Terrence Cook of the South Central Illinois Chapter❤️ Cindi Baker of the Greater Chicago Chapter❤️Charles 'Sarge' Hughes of the Greater Chicago Chapter❤️ Charlie Sharp of the Northwest Illinois ChapterDebby is also complicating efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply with drives being canceled, causing hundreds of lifesaving blood products to go uncollected when more donations are so desperately needed.People urgently need aid now. You can help by making a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting redcross.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

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VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK: Kevin AdamsKevin was inspired to get involved with the Red Cross during Hurricane Ian in 2022. Since then, he has become an instrumental volunteer, primarily in the Illinois River Valley Chapter. Trained in multiple areas, Kevin excels in sheltering and feeding, disaster assessment, logistics, operating an emergency response vehicle, and serving as a lead volunteer at the Military Entrance Processing Station in Chicago. His dedication has led him to respond to numerous Disaster Relief Operations, including assisting in Michigan after spring tornadoes, aiding flood victims in Iowa in June, and most recently supporting storm recovery efforts in Illinois this July.“What I enjoy most is being boots on the ground and being one of the faces of the Red Cross,” Kevin shared. “For example, when we drove the Emergency Response Vehicle to Michigan after their tornadoes and arrived in these neighborhoods with food, they saw that big red cross on the side of the van, and they knew help was there. The gratitude from people is what keeps me going day after day.”Thank you, Kevin, for the significant impact you make at the Red Cross!Would you like to get involved? Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more.

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For the past 35 years, Mary Kanak of Villa Park has been an avid blood donor. As Mary continued to regularly donate, she became even more aware of the importance of giving blood to help all kinds of patients, including those battling cancer, like her father, Jack. “My dad would go from being flat on his back to the next day making breakfast, going off to volunteer and even spending time feeding the birds in his yard,” Mary said. “I would ask him ‘Dad, what happened, how come you’re feeling better?’ and he’d say, ‘Well, Mary Terese, I got my transfusion yesterday’.” Make an appointment to give blood or platelets now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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“Sickle cell disease is the best thing that happened to me — I know people are shocked when I say that. Even though I wouldn’t wish this disease and its complications on anyone, I discovered my life purpose in dealing with my pain. I’ve set out to ensure that current and future sickle cell patients do not have to live with the hardships and misunderstanding of living with this disease alone and that understanding what blood donations do for my fellow sickle cell patients is more widespread.” --Ronisha Edwards-ElliottMore individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood following accidents, during surgeries and for treatment of conditions such as sickle cell disease and cancer.Make an appointment to give blood or platelets now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Supplying 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply, the American Red Cross consistently emphasizes the importance of giving blood and its lifesaving abilities. It’s something an Oak Park couple who both work in the medical field and regularly donate blood, not only know to be true, but it’s also a part of their love story. “My wife, Katie, and I met at Loyola University Medical Center working in the blood bank," shared Dennis. "We try to bring more awareness to the importance of giving blood,” Katie said. “It’s not just victims of car accidents who need blood. It’s a grandma who has cancer or someone who has a baby. There are a lot of different reasons why someone might need blood, and there is no other substitute."Right now, the supply of type O blood products is so low that hospital distributions of this vital blood type have been reduced below what hospitals need in recent weeks. You can help. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

“Dono sangre para hacer mi parte y por el bien de mi comunidad. Espero que si alguien de mi familia alguna vez necesita productos sanguíneos, estén disponibles para ellos y, realmente, para cualquiera que los necesite para vivir”. --Eduardo VillalobosLa Cruz Roja Americana se enfrenta a una emergencia por escasez de sangre e insta a las personas a hacer una cita para donar ahora para ayudar a los pacientes de todo el país a recibir tratamientos médicos que salvan vidas.El suministro de sangre está en apuros. Usted puede ayudar. Programe una cita para donar sangre hoy mismo utilizando la aplicación «Blood Donor» de la Cruz Roja, visitando RedCrossBlood.org/espanol o llamando al 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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