Northwest Illinois Chapter
The American Red Cross of Northwest Illinois serves 678,634 people in nine counties in Northern Illinois including Boone, Bureau, Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago.
Revisit some of our proudest and most memorable moments and help us continue our work in the new year.
The Red Cross is here for you. Please call us:1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance.
Visit our Get Help page for additional resources.
Blood that is donated through the American Red Cross helps patients of all ages including cancer and sickle cell patients, trauma and burn patients, and patients with chronic diseases. Take a look at our eligibility requirements and schedule an appointment to give blood today. A one-time blood donation can save more than one life!
The American Red Cross provides help for members of the military, veterans, and their families to prepare for, cope with and respond to the challenges of military service. Learn how our nonprofit helps active military members and veterans in Northwest Illinois.
The American Red Cross offers a selection of classes where you can learn and become certified in various lifesaving skills. Our nonprofit near you has both online and in-person options for CPR certification and CPR classes, first aid and water safety training, and child care training.
It’s easy to get involved with the Red Cross in Northwest Illinois. Local opportunities include becoming a trained disaster relief response volunteer helping people affected by home fires; supporting trauma, cancer, and other patients in need by donating blood, platelet, and plasma at our local blood donation center; and learning CPR, First AID, and other lifesaving skills that will prepare you to respond to emergencies.
The best way to provide immediate relief to your neighbors facing emergency situations is through a monetary donation. Our disaster assistance programs rely heavily on the generous financial support of citizens in the Illinois region. Even if you only have a few dollars to spare, your donation to American Red Cross disaster relief will make a significant difference in the lives of those facing disasters. Make a one-time donation today either online, by phone, or by mail, or set up a recurring monthly donation to make an even bigger difference.
The humanitarian work that we do at American Red Cross would not be possible without our volunteers. We have a variety of disaster relief volunteer opportunities available, as well as potential positions focused on facility management, health and safety, service to the Armed Forces, and professional specialties like photography, IT, and more. Check out our current volunteer opportunities near you in Northwest Illinois!
Host a charity stream by playing your favorite video games while raising life-saving funds to help those in need. You can also fundraise your way by energizing your community through celebrating a special occasion or being creative to help to those in need. Click a button below to get started!
(815) 761-1771
leslie.luther@redcross.org
Leslie joined the American Red Cross in 2019 as Executive Director of the Northwest Illinois Chapter. Prior to joining the Red Cross, she was with the State of Wisconsin Division of Medicaid Services since early 2017, where she oversaw and implemented policy directives, supervised the administration of public assistance programs and maintained the operational functions of a variety of programs. Leslie is a former Red Crosser, returning to the Red Cross having spent more than five years working in the Wisconsin region in various capacities from disaster to operations to volunteer services. She has also worked for former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, the Social Development Commission, Lutheran Social Services and Milwaukee Christian Center. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Grambling State University.
United Way of the Rock River Valley
United Way of Whiteside County
United Way of Lee County
United Way of Bureau County
United Way of Boone County