During the 2025-26 academic year, the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region supported 33 Red Cross Clubs – 28 in high schools and five in colleges and universities. More than 950 students participated across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Senior Volunteer Engagement Specialist Ellen Ginda, who works closely with the students, explains that while each Red Cross Club is different, they all "have the goal of bringing the Red Cross’s humanitarian mission to their schools." The student leaders choose how to reach that goal, which often includes hosting blood drives, organizing fundraisers and collecting in-kind donations, like toys, books, food and more!

Over the past academic year, SEPA's Red Cross Clubs hosted more than 20 blood drives, organized 11 fundraisers and coordinated 11 donation collections. In addition, nearly 150 students were trained and certified in CPR/AED/First Aid.

We invited graduating seniors to share their experiences with us. 

B. Reed Henderson High School

Evan Szilier

The Red Cross Club at B. Reed Henderson was among the first established in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and it's still going strong thanks to the leadership of 2026 graduate Evan Szilier. Over the past year, the club held several bake sale fundraisers and worked with a local business to sponsor a creative food truck fundraiser.

Evan says he has enjoyed all of Red Cross Club activities with his classmates.

"It's really awesome to see everyone gathered together once a month around a common goal," he said.

This summer, Evan is serving as an ocean rescue lifeguard for Beach Haven Beach Patrol before heading off to study business administration at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill in the fall.

"I plan to carry the Red Cross mission with me by always looking for a new way to get involved," he said. "Whether it's teaching CPR courses at UNC next year or continuing to help out with new high school chapters, I am always looking for a new way to make an impact."

Downingtown East High School 

Prapti Patel

The Downingtown East High School Red Cross Club experienced tremendous growth under the leadership of graduating senior Prapti Patel. Established during the 2023–24 school year, the club grew from 10 members to approximately 60 in just one year. Club members participated in a wide range of service activities, including blood drives, fundraising campaigns, donation collections for Philadelphia Veteran Affairs, card-making projects for veterans and a toy drive benefiting the Red Cross House. The club also supported local organizations such as Uwchlan Ambulance Corps and the Chester County Department of Emergency Services through community service initiatives.

One of the club's most notable accomplishments was hosting one of the region's first collaborative CPR certification events with Immaculata University, helping establish a partnership that is expected to continue in the future. Prapti also helped prepare the club for continued success by mentoring her younger sister and another student to take on leadership roles following her graduation.

Reflecting on her time with the Red Cross, Prapti says the experience taught her the importance of taking initiative and believing in the impact one person can make.

“Freshman year, I walked into a Red Cross meeting and found only the advisor and silence. The few students who came sat in the back. One leaving. Another glued to his phone. I could have done the same. I could've left, but something in me stayed," she shared.

Prapti says she opened her notebook and began asking questions. "What could this club be? Who could we reach? What difference could we make?"

Four years later, that empty room transformed into a community of 60 members.

"What I remember most is that first moment where I made the choice to speak up. I learned that we always have that choice everyday. I learned that each of us holds power," she said. "Red Cross inspired me to stand up alone in the front of a room and harness that power to make real impact. Red Cross reminded me that I can in a world we are often told we can't.”

This fall, Prapti will attend Carnegie Mellon University, where she plans to study information systems.

“I’m really excited to explore how I can use technology, something I’m deeply passionate about, to create meaningful change and help others," she shared.

Looking ahead, Prapti hopes to use technology to help solve real-world challenges and serve communities around the globe.

“The Red Cross mission of helping people and improving society has really shaped me, and I plan to carry that forward by using my skills to make a positive impact throughout college and beyond.”

Immaculata University

Francesca Giardini

Francesca Giardini was part of the Red Cross Club at Immaculata University, which formed in spring 2025. The group partnered with the school's Student Nursing Association to hold multiple campus blood drives; hosted a CPR training, to which they invited Red Cross Club students from nearby Downingtown East High School; partnered with the university's emergency management and planning program on disaster preparedness exercises; and raised money for the Red Cross by selling candygrams and more.

During her time as a Red Cross Club member, Francesca says she found "the importance and joy" of giving back to her community and helping others.

"I was actively making a difference for other people, whether that be through fundraising or a volunteer event," she said. "I thoroughly enjoyed my experience as a Red Cross Club member and hope to continue volunteering for the Red Cross in the future."

Francesca graduated with a bachelor's degree this past spring and plans to take a gap year before starting graduate school to further her studies in ecology.

"My time as a Red Cross Club member has shown me the importance of positively contributing to my community so I will continue  that mission through helping people in need that I meet regardless of their background,” she said.

Interboro High School

Over the past two years, the Red Cross Club at Interboro High School made a significant impact in the Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) community thanks in large part to the leadership of recent graduates Isabelle Newell and Samantha Stavola. In addition to hosting three blood drives and several fundraisers, the club spearheaded a record-breaking toy drive, which collected more than 200 toys for children whose families are recovering from local disasters, like home fires, at the Red Cross House.

Isabelle Newell 

Class of 2026 graduate Isabelle Newell says she learned a lot throughout her journey as Red Cross Club president.

"I have seen how much of a difference one can make in such simple situations," she shared. "It has been amazing to be able to help people and help the surrounding community."

She's especially proud of planning and organizing the Red Cross House toy drive and running multiple blood drives, the last of which she says was the most successful and smoothest.

This fall, Isabelle will attend New York University as a neural science major on a premedical track. She's excited to see where her new adventures lead as she enjoys life in the big city. And she's looking forward to joining new clubs, including the Red Cross.

"I will carry the Red Cross mission next year by continuing to help my community that I am present in," she said. "I am excited to join this club in a different region and see how I can help new people."

Samantha Stavola

Interboro Red Cross Club vice president Samantha Stavola says she has learned important lessons over the past two years in her leadership role. She joined Isabelle in leading the club's successful toy drive and blood drive efforts.

"Being a part of these things has shown me so many positive results and has made me more appreciative of the things I can do to help," she shared.

In the fall, Samantha will attend Saint Joseph's University to major in nursing. Her career goal is to work at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) helping children in need. She, too, plans to continue her service with the Red Cross.

"I will join as many clubs and participate in as many things as I can in order to give back," she said.

Lower Merion High School 

Minh Dao 

The Lower Merion High School Red Cross Club spent the 2025–26 school year expanding its impact and strengthening its commitment to service. Throughout the year, club members participated in service events, including Sound the Alarm in Norristown during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the Philadelphia Veterans Day Parade and their annual canned food drive, which supported Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line.

Reflecting on his time with the club, graduating senior Minh Dao said the experience showed him the power of service and community.

“During my time with the with the Red Cross Club, I enjoyed being part of something larger than myself and seeing how even small acts of service can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives," he said. I learned that while I contributed my time and effort, I also gained a lot in return: friendships, connections, and a deeper sense of fulfillment from giving back to a community that has supported me.”

This fall Minh is headed to New York University.

“My next chapter will be at New York University, where I will study math & economics and probably drink more energy drinks than water.,” he joked.

As he begins this next chapter, Minh says the values he developed through the Red Cross will remain an important part of his future.

“No matter where I go, I will carry the Red Cross mission forward by continuing to contribute value to the communities I become part of.”

Radnor High School

The Red Cross Club at Radnor High School began in early 2025 when then-juniors Haeun Cho and James Frank and set out to create new opportunities for students to engage with the mission of the American Red Cross. Throughout the spring, they gathered resources, built support from school leadership and developed plans for the club's first full year. During the 2025-2026 school year, the club explored a range of Red Cross programs and activities, including CPR education, home fire safety and preparedness, Service to the Armed Forces initiatives and community service projects.

Haeun Cho

From helping establish the Red Cross Club to mentoring students from other schools interested in creating clubs of their own, Haeun Cho embraced every opportunity to expand the impact of the Red Cross mission.

"I am so grateful to have been a part of the Red Cross organization. Through my experience, I was able to get certified for CPR, learn more about home fire safety and humanitarian rights, and even get to help others from different areas establish their own Red Cross Clubs to serve their communities."

This fall, Haeun will attend University of Michigan as a nursing major. She looks to the Red Cross mission to continue guiding her service efforts.

"I hope to continue to embody the organization's values such as voluntary service and unity by continuing to serve the community in many ways, such as blood drives. I am so beyond excited to continue my journey with the Red Cross!"

James Frank

As one of the club's founders, James Frank helped transform an idea into a thriving organization that engaged students in service, preparedness and leadership opportunities.

"My past few years with the Red Cross have truly taught me so much. From CPR certifications to food drives to educational campaigns, I have learned not only lifesaving skills and ideas, but what it means to be a part of something larger," he said.

For James, the opportunity to serve both the broader community and fellow students was especially meaningful.

"Being able to serve the regional community and help those at our own school has truly been an amazing experience, and I am so grateful for the opportunities the Red Cross has provided me."

This fall, James will attend the University of Pennsylvania, where he plans to study biology on a pre-med track and continue serving others through the university's Red Cross Club.

Meredith Gelles

While CPR training and preparedness activities were a major part of the club's work, service projects also gave students opportunities to connect directly with their communities.

For Meredith Gelles, one of the most memorable experiences was the club's Veterans Day food drive.

"It was a great way to get involved with the Red Cross' mission and values as well as my community."

Meredith will attend the University of Pittsburgh this fall and pursue a pre-med track.

Malaika Virk

Malaika Virk says that participating in a CPR course through Radnor High School's Red Cross Club opened numerous opportunities for her.

"I was so inspired that I went to EMT school and am currently working on getting fully certified," she said.

This fall, Malaika will attend Temple University as a biology major on a pre-med track.

Annie Zhong

For Annie Zhong, CPR training she took through Radnor's Red Cross Club stood out as a favorite.

"Getting together with friends and classmates to learn skills that could genuinely help in an emergency felt really meaningful and made me more conscious of the responsibility people have to act in critical situations," she said.

This fall, Annie is enrolled in Drexel University's BS/MD program on her way to pursuing a career in healthcare.

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Content was compiled by Cindy Grell, Ellen Ginda and Alana Mauger