As winter settles in, so do the challenges to collecting blood. The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, drawing down the blood supply by about 35 percent over the past month. Individuals are urgently needed to give blood or platelets now so patients don’t face delays in lifesaving care.  But there is  good news: You can help change that. Now through February, the Red Cross is calling on compassionate individuals...

Cliff Haynes is a community disaster program manager in the Eastern Iowa chapter. He is committed to ensuring that the chapter is prepared to respond to different kinds of disasters and that our incredible team of volunteers is able to serve those affected. He sheds light on what his job entails and how rewarding his role can be. Cliff Haynes on his deployment to the Kentucky floods in 2025 Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work...

By Rachelle Lipker Carter Gustin is a 14-year-old who embodies the spirit of a typical teenager—active, social, and deeply passionate about sports. Before his diagnosis, he was almost always outside, moving from one activity to the next. He loves being with friends, competing in sports, and would rarely spend time sitting still. A true multi-sport athlete, Gustin loves participating in baseball, basketball, wrestling, golf, football and track. Carter Gustin Gustin’s health journey began with...

By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca About 30 years ago, Ron Nelson was helping his mother, a blood drive coordinator, by setting up tables for a blood drive in his hometown of Minden, Nebraska. Because he was there anyway, he decided to give blood. Fast-forward a half a lifetime later, Nelson has since donated 145 pints of blood products, almost enough to fill an F-150 gas tank. Each pint donated has the potential to save multiple lives. Nelson is now a Power Red donor . A Power Red donation starts...

Meet Dylan. He is enthusiastic and engaging - two personality traits that fit well with his role as a donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. It's his job to build relationships in his territory around Lincoln, Nebraska, to encourage area residents to host blood drives and donate blood. Learn more about his career with the Red Cross, what motivates him and moments that stick with him. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects...