PORTLAND, Ore. — In March, we celebrate American Red Cross Month by honoring our neighbors who make its humanitarian mission possible in the Cascades Region. Every day, these acts of kindness change lives, bringing relief, comfort and hope when help can’t wait. This compassionate spirit runs deep in our community, just as it has for 145 years through the American Red Cross.

In 2025 alone, the Cascades Region has provided relief and recovery to over 900 households, collected over 166,000 units of blood, supported over 5,000 service members through our Service to the Armed Forces program and trained over 50,000 people in CPR, first aid, babysitting, and water safety.

We do this through the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers who make up 90% of our workforce. From Gen Z to Baby Boomers, people of all ages comprise the 3,000 volunteers in our region. Gen Z is the fastest-growing and largest group of volunteers, making up 40% of our workforce, driven largely by growth in student-led Red Cross clubs.

“Generation after generation, our community has shown that compassion is one of its greatest strengths,” said Priscilla Fuentes, Cascades Region CEO. “In moments when help can’t wait, volunteers of all ages and backgrounds come together to offer care, comfort and hope, supporting families for more than half of our country’s 250-year history.”

Red Cross Month culminates with Red Cross Giving Day, which will be held this year on March 25. It’s an opportunity for people to come together on one day to help families recover from a home fire or other disaster across the country. Donations can be made at redcross.org/GivingDay.

Whether it’s a financial donation, blood donation, or a desire to volunteer, come see how you can support our mission when help can’t wait by going to redcross.org.

See our work in action:

• B-Roll for disaster response
• B-Roll for disaster response and blood donation 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.