A family outing can be going to the pool, a picnic, or a movie, but for one Eastern North Carolina family— it’s going to the Red Cross to donate blood together.

Michael and Patricia lost their daughter to brain cancer on January 2, 2022. They said they try to donate platelets every two weeks.

Asiya is a Sickle Cell Account Manager for the Red Cross and has two children who are living with sickle cell disease.

Adrianna was working from home when she started to see and smell smoke. A fire had started in her neighbor's home and she and her family lost their home and belongings in the blaze.

Jackie, a long-time Red Cross disaster volunteer is certainly no stranger to being jolted awake in the middle of the night to help her community. But while Jackie is certainly no stranger to life’s toughest moments, this summer…disaster struck home.

Pearson Riddle Jr. was the Military Veteran Hero Award winner for the 2023 Salute to WNC (Western North Carolina) Heroes this past summer. Riddle is 101 years old and a WWII Marine veteran, the last surviving member of the Battle of Wake Island.

This summer, heavy rain led to extensive flooding in Kannapolis, NC damaging homes and property and impacting several local families. American Red Cross volunteers, walked door-to-door handing out supplies and surveying needs.

For people like Wren, the availability of blood and blood products can be the difference between life and death. At age 3, Wren was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and has received more than 15 blood and platelet transfusions.

Ms. Beasley is part of our Service to the Armed Forces Team. Her role: making a difference by visiting wounded and ill military members, veterans and their families to provide comfort in the form of belly rubs, kisses, and sweet smiles.

Ask Montell Salary, 49, of Cary, N.C., what’s motivated him to donate blood for 30 years, 4 times a year, and he gives a simple answer: “As Gandhi once said, ‘Be the change you want to see in this world.’”

A heart attack was the last thing Michelle Bennet expected. In February of 2023, her 7-year-old daughter, Bella noticed Michelle was having an emergency and jumped into action to help save her mother’s life.

Rinee Shackletonis a student at Eastern Carolina University.  “I was home and sleeping,” said Rinee , Greenville Resident. “I woke up from breathing in some of the smoke, and I knew something bad was going on.” She was one of many who was displaced after a fire began in an apartment complex in Greenville, NC.