When a windstorm tore across Tennessee on March 3, Red Cross volunteers jumped into action, providing comfort and care to affected families. Volunteers are ready to respond to disasters, such as storms and home fires, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

During Red Cross Month, a ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of Tennessee's state-of-the-art blood and platelet donation center in Brentwood. Longtime platelet donor Doris Dunn cut the ribbon and encouraged fellow community members to give.

Capri Reece knows firsthand the effects of sickle cell and the need for compatible donors. “I have battled sickle cell crisis for most of my life. My diagnosis motivates me to advocate for blood donation and sickle cell research,” she said.

American Red Cross disaster responders worked around the clock to help people impacted by the March 31 and April 1 tornadoes. The storms tore through parts of Cannon, DeSoto, Hardin, McNairy, Tipton, Tunica, Shelby and Wayne counties.

By the early hours of Saturday, April 1, several west and middle Tennessee communities had already experienced devastating tornado damage. The small community of Readyville, Tennessee, was now in the path of the deadly storms.

Smoke alarms installed by Northeast Tennessee Red Cross volunteers alerted Tammy Alls, of Bristol, Tennessee, to a fire in her home in the middle of the night. Thankfully, the warning enabled Tammy to make it out safely.

From battling cancer at 6 months old to thriving in remission at 2 years old, Charley has had quite the journey. She’s here today because of her treatment and the donated blood that kept her fighting.

“You can give people a chance at another birthday, another Christmas, more time to connect with their family or their faith,” said Raymond Swadley. Since Nov. 3, 1958, he has donated more than 43 gallons of blood.

We're proud of our Tennessee Region Red Cross volunteers for stepping up to provide disaster relief across the state and the country this year. Tennessee truly lives up to its nickname as "The Volunteer State."

Home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. The Red Cross helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes that don't have them and by educating people about home fire safety.

Red Cross partners with the Nashville Preds Foundation to host multi-city blood drives through the year. Between July 2022 and June 2023, these drives collected a total of 4,534 units of blood! Your dedication to saving lives is incredible, SMASHVILLE!

Hope recently donated blood for the first time. Her heartfelt story and personal connection to blood donation highlight the impact it can have on the lives of those in need.