Mission Impact & Inclusion

People living with sickle cell disease often rely on frequent blood transfusions to prevent life-threatening complications and manage severe pain. The most compatible blood for transfusion frequently comes from donors with similar genetic backgrounds, which can improve patient outcomes and reduce complications.

To help provide the best possible matches, the Red Cross is partnering with organizations across the country to increase the collection of blood from donors whose blood types are more likely to meet these needs. We are addressing common misconceptions about sickle cell disease and encouraging blood donation through outreach efforts that include social media, media relations, marketing, and partnerships with colleges, nonprofits, health professionals, and community leaders.

Read more about sickle cell disease

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children in the U.S., and data shows that certain communities experience significantly higher drowning rates. These disparities are especially pronounced among school-age children in areas with limited access to water safety education and swim instruction.

The Red Cross launched the Aquatics Centennial Campaign to help reduce drowning rates in communities where they exceed the national average. Through partnerships with local training providers and campaign sponsors, the program offers swim lessons, junior lifeguard training, lifeguard and swim instructor certification, and water safety and CPR education for parents—all at low or no cost.

As an active member of the Diversity in Aquatics network, we support efforts that promote swimming, water safety, and healthy aquatics activities for communities that have historically lacked access to these life-saving resources.

Read about our Aquatics Centennial Campaign

The growing impacts of climate crises are disrupting lives across the country and around the world. In 2021, more than 130 million people in the U.S.—over 40% of the population—lived in a county affected by an extreme weather event.

These events often have the greatest impact on individuals and communities with fewer resources to prepare for, withstand, and recover from disasters.

Through the Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP), we work to strengthen local partner networks in areas at high risk for extreme weather and existing barriers to resilience. This collaboration helps build capacity among community partners to deliver critical services—such as health, hunger, and housing—before and after disasters strike.

Read about our climate crisis actions

The Red Cross supports blood donation policies that are rooted in science and focused on individual health and safety—not personal characteristics unrelated to risk.

For decades, we have contributed data, research, and advocacy to help inform updates to national blood donation guidelines. Through our collaboration in the FDA-funded ADVANCE Study—alongside partners in the blood banking and medical communities—we helped support the adoption of individual risk-based assessments for all donors.

This change eliminates the use of donor eligibility questions based on sexual orientation, promoting a more equitable and medically appropriate screening process. Moving forward, we will continue working with our partners to provide data that supports further progress and public health outcomes.

Read More About Inclusive Blood Donations

The Red Cross values the health and well-being of all blood donors across the country. To give back to our donors and help them manage their health, we are providing important health information such as blood pressure readings, pulse rate and hemoglobin levels. We see this as our responsibility to give back to the millions of donors who so selflessly roll up a sleeve and give lifesaving blood. Blood donors can access their health information in a secure Blood Donor platform, or via the Red Cross Blood Donor App.