American Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region

06/05/2026

We were happy to participate in the Purcellville Public Safety Day event in Virginia on May 16 ⛑️

Thanks to volunteers Giada, Ahana and Dave for helping spread the word about community engagement and volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross as well as safety information.

Events like these strengthen community preparedness, connect residents with local resources, and promote safety awareness while building relationships between the community and public safety organizations. We are always happy to participate!

Invite the Red Cross to your local event by contacting your local chapter: RedCross.org/NCGC

06/04/2026

Let's hear it for superstar blood donor Addison, who has given a lifetime total of one gallon! 👏👏👏

Addison donated at her workplace blood drive at the Department of Transportation last week, which put her over the one-gallon mark. Amazing!

She first started donating blood in high school, and continues to give because she has a rare blood type -- B negative -- and knows that it's critically important.

Each unit donated can help save more than one life. Blood donors like Addison help ensure that trauma victims, new mothers and premature babies, people having surgery and those living with chronic illness have access to lifesaving transfusions.

Join Addison and make your appointment to help save lives today: RedCrossBlood.org

06/04/2026

was honored to participate in Memorial Day events at Arlington National Cemetery last week. Volunteers from our Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) team carried the U.S. and Red Cross flags in the procession of colors and presented a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on behalf of the American Red Cross.

Pictured are (L to R) SAF volunteer Ann O’Mara; Red Cross SAF Division Director Jason Brand; SAF volunteer Staci Harrison; and SAF volunteer Marianne Wyble.

06/02/2026

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, longer, hotter and deadlier due to the climate crisis. But together, we can !

June 2 is , a global campaign to raise awareness about the risks of extreme heat and share ways to stay safe. This "silent killer" causes more deaths each year around the globe than any other natural disaster.

Important safety tips: RedCross.org/HEAT

06/01/2026

Today, June 1, marks the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.

CEO Dale Kunce sat down with Community DC host Dennis Glasgow recently to talk about what's ahead -- and how the Red Cross is making an impact in our local communities every day.

Listen: https://rdcrss.org/4fMVZwk

Community DC Host Dennis Glasgow welcomes back to the program Dale Kunce, the CEO for the American Red Cross, of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region to talk bout 2026 and beyond with topics including: History, Mission & Vision, Disaster Relief, Health & Safety Services...

05/31/2026

"One or two seconds is all it takes."

Drowning is preventable –yet it remains one of the leading causes of death for young children and people under 30.

For Montgomery County, MD Government Public Safety Officer Marcus Dixon, a commitment to community safety is something that runs deep in his family. All four of his children -- Josh (21), Matt (20), and twins Sam and Hannah (16) -- are American Red Cross Certified lifeguards. https://rdcrss.org/42YLz5q

“Safety is not just one person’s responsibility,” said Marcus. “It truly takes a community.”

05/30/2026

It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday in Wilmington, Delaware today -- and the city is safer from home fires thanks to Wilmington Fire and the Red Cross volunteers who spent the day distributing fire safety information and installing free, lifesaving smoke alarms in local neighborhoods.

Home fires are our nation's most frequent disaster, but having working smoke alarms reduces your risk of death in a home fire by half.
Today, in Wilmington, Red Cross volunteers and fire personnel installed 200 smoke alarms in close to 100 homes throughout the city.

We are grateful to the Wilmington Fire Department for their partnership, and all the hardworking volunteers who came out to join in this important work.

We do this one Saturday every month throughout the region! Join us next time, request an alarm or learn more: SoundTheAlarm.org/NCGC

05/29/2026

We were proud to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Transportation and DC Fire And EMS for the EMS Week "Save A Life Day" event in D.C. last week.

The DOT hosted a blood drive inside its Washington D.C. headquarters and the Red Cross also had a table at the outdoor portion of the Save A Life day event that included CPR and other demonstrations and a lineup of emergency vehicles on New Jersey Avenue.

Every second counts in an emergency, and EMS professionals are there when it matters most. We’re grateful for those who show up every day to care for others, support the lifesaving need for blood, and help empower communities with skills that can save a life.

Dr. Emily Coberly, American Red Cross Divisional Chief Medical Officer, also participated in a panel presentation on prehospital blood transfusion at DOT headquarters that day. Read more about this cutting-edge, lifesaving initiative: https://rdcrss.org/4nSvBTS

05/28/2026

The people in this group photo are helping save lives, one pint at a time.

We recently held a luncheon to honor our local partners who support the Sickle Cell community by hosting blood drives with the Red Cross throughout our region. This photo represents thousands of lifesaving units collected -- and counting!

Sickle Cell Disease is the most common genetic blood disorder and affects an estimated 100,000 people in the U.S. Blood transfusions play a critical part in the treatment of Sickle Cell and donations from donors who are Black are more likely to be a match for patients who live with the disease.

Held at Tiffany Circle Hall at American Red Cross headquarters in Washington, D.C., last week's luncheon included special guest speakers Ernie Drew Jarvis, Vice Chair, Savills, board member of the Red Cross of the District of Columbia and grandson of Dr. Charles Drew; Teanika Hoffman, founder and Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Coalition of Maryland; and Dr. Rev. Loraine Brown, Blood Program Leader, nurse, pastor and founder of Project SPIRIT Sickle Cell, (PSSC), Inc.

It was a powerful, inspiring afternoon that highlighted the impact we can make, together.

🩸 Find out more about the important part blood donation plays in the treatment of Sickle Cell at RedCrossBlood.org/OurBlood
🩸 More photos from the luncheon: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCULxm

05/27/2026

May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to recognize those at home and abroad who protect our freedom and safety. salutes the men and women of our nation’s military for their dedication and service to our country. Join us in saying THANK YOU to these heroes, veterans and their families for their brave sacrifices.

The American Red Cross has a proud history of supporting the U.S. military and has an in-person presence on more than 380 military installations and deployment sites worldwide.
Find out more about our programs and services for the military community at RedCross.org/SAF