This editoral orgianlly appeared in the Post & Courier on November 21, 2025

By Tom Carter, American Red Cross of South Carolina Lowcountry Board Chair

Someone in America needs blood every two seconds, and it was truly amazing recently to witness firsthand thedifference a single pint of blood can make. Earlier this month, my wife experienced an unexpectedly complicated surgery. In the recovery room, she suffered from dangerously low blood pressure.

The unit of blood she received there, while I was holding her hand, saved her life. A generous stranger made an immeasurable difference to my future in that recovery room by giving blood.

My family’s emergency aside, I believe that we can all agree that 2025 has been a particularly challenging year. Within our own U.S. borders, we’ve seen wildfires in the West, major flooding in several states and incrediblydestructive tornadoes throughout the Midwest and South.

South Carolina has not been immune from these challenges, as families faced devastating home fires, continued recovery from Hurricane Helene and serious accidents that resulted in the need for blood transfusions like my wife’s.

Throughout all this mayhem, there has been one reliable, steady presence: your American Red Cross. Our teamhas stepped up to be that constant provider of financial assistance, comfort, shelter, health services and, of course,lifesaving blood products that have kept so many of our loved ones alive. We, the Red Cross, are always there for you and your families.

So as we approach the holiday season, I want to reach out and say how thankful I am to the thousands of great South Carolinians who’ve stepped up this year to make all this Red Cross magic possible. We are a force of 90 percent dedicated volunteers who could not carry out our humanitarian and lifesaving missions without you.

Throughout this year, I’ve visited dozens of blood drives to thank many of you personally and to let you all know that not only are you providing critical blood when needed, you’re also supporting your community, because when you give blood with the Red Cross, you’re also powering our humanitarian mission, including responding to home fires, hurricanes and service to the armed forces.

Providing blood to the Red Cross is the ultimate “two-fer,” of which all our donors should be justly proud. For instance, this year alone, we have responded to 1,267 local disasters in South Carolina and provided more than $1 million to 1,500 families to help their immediate needs such as food, clothing and shelter. Remarkable, isn’t it? I have been blessed over my career to see the Red Cross in action worldwide and can say with confidence that we’re making a true difference in this turbulent world. I would particularly highlight our unique support for military members in times of family crisis, as we help many of them get home each day. We also support their families when needed, and I simply cannot count my fellow warriors who’ve benefited from this incredible work.

Finally, I’d like to ask you to help us right now because disasters don’t take a holiday. My teammates will be working throughout this special season to support you and your neighbors whenever and wherever needed.

I especially encourage you to donate blood, but I would also ask that you please consider a financial gift as well.

Many of our critical humanitarian missions are supported by your personal generosity, and I hope that you’ll join me in providing such support via on Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2. Please know that my fellow members of the Low Country Board of Directors and I, along with our incredible volunteers, will appreciate every dollar you give from the heart. God bless you all, and have wonderful holidays.