Red Cross Board Member Danielle Jones Gives Blood After Cancer Remission

Danielle Jones joined the Southwest Michigan Chapter of the Michigan Red Cross only a few months ago, but she is no stranger to the need for blood. “A lot of people in my family have been directly impacted by the need for blood, including me,” Danielle said. “It literally saved our lives.” Danielle and her …

Yolanda DeHaan Learned What it Means to be a Red Cross Volunteer

“The end result is that you help your fellow human," Yolanda said. More than two months ago Hurricane Ian left a swath of devastation across large parts of Florida. While the storm may be over, the American Red Cross is still on the ground working around the clock to provide support to those affected by …

Alicia Dorr’s 1st Deployment to the California Wildfires was ‘Exceptional’ in Many Ways

Alicia Dorr recently returned from her first deployment in northern California with a deeper appreciation for working a disaster relief and response operation.   As regional communications manager for the American Red Cross Michigan Region, Alicia produces content for the Region’s website and blog, its social media channels and facilitates news coverage with local news …

Having Donated 44 Gallons over 44 Years, Dennis Sandoval Knows a Thing or Two about Giving Blood

By Alicia Dorr Dennis Sandoval knows his way around a blood drive. As the district manager of blood services , Sandoval leads teams to ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood and blood drives run smoothly in southeast Michigan. Not only does he know how to collect blood, he also rolls up his sleeve to …

Michigan Volunteers Ray and Janie Deliver Hot Meals, Water to People Impacted by Hurricane Ian

Disaster services volunteers Ray Bongartz and his wife, Janie Barner, are among the team of volunteers from the American Red Cross Michigan Region deployed to Florida to support the disaster relief and response efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. They are serving hot meals and drinks to people in communities impacted by the storm. …

Robert Smith’s First Year as a Red Cross Volunteer Has Been a Gratifying Experience

“I saw a Red Cross commercial and wondered if I could be a Red Cross volunteer,” Robert recalled, speaking from the Red Cross chapter in Sacramento. It has been a whirlwind 10 months for Robert Smith, who joined the American Red Cross Michigan Region as a disaster services volunteer in September 2021. In January he …