Thank you to the dozens of Illinois Region volunteers who deployed to Maui to assist with disaster relief efforts following the devastating wildfires. Here is the story of Paul Bamman, who deployed from the Greater Chicago chapter.

In addition to Red Cross volunteers delivering meals and water to neighborhoods, a shelter and respite center were set up, where individuals could stay, shower, charge their electronic devices or cool off from the heat.

So many thoughts were running through Elvir’s mind when he stood on the sidewalk and saw his family’s apartment impacted by a multi-family fire in February. What Elvir didn’t count on, was the rush of memories as he saw the Red Cross arrive on the scene.

The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago honored the 2023 class of heroes at the annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast. The Heroes are an exemplary group of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to build better communities.

The Red Cross provided immediate assistance to residents impacted by the partial building collapse in Davenport, Iowa that occurred over Memorial Day weekend.

Red Cross volunteers provided support to people across multiple states after deadly tornadoes struck a large part of the country in the spring. In Illinois, hundreds of people lost everything as homes were damaged and communities turned upside down.

Volunteers installed smoke alarms in homes for the hard of hearing and deaf community. Also installed were specialized alarms, commonly referred to as a ‘Bed Shaker,’ which activates when an accompanying traditional smoke alarm sounds.

Red Cross of Illinois has a group of volunteers that dedicate their time in the Restoring Family Links program, helping to reconnect separated families and address missing persons from armed conflict, natural disasters, migration, and other situations.

Last Winter, Fred & Gina were awakened by the shrill sound of the smoke alarm and complete darkness from the dark heavy smoke that had already permeated their apartment. They credit those working smoke alarms with saving their lives.

Sasha-Welch Moore’s heroic actions helped save a life. She performed CPR on a man at her gym in Peoria who had stopped breathing. As a result, the man survived and continues to have an opportunity to live his life.

Jill Wrobel, a mother of two and cancer survivor, credits several blood transfusions for saving her life while she was in the ICU. Now, years later, she’s paying it forward with numerous volunteer projects, and urges everyone to be a blood donor.

Denesha, who discovered she had sickle cell at four-years-old, uses her experience with the disease to advocate for early testing, compassionate medical care, and awareness and motivation for the Black community to be blood donors.