American Red Cross Connecticut

06/05/2026

Sickle cell disease is a powerful reminder of why health equity and community engagement matter.

The American Red Cross and Hartford HealthCare’s Center for Health Equity are actively working in the community to address sickle cell disease through awareness and connection.

This month, we’re joining forces to help elevate this important conversation—rooted in a shared commitment we care deeply about—and invite you to ➡️ follow along as we share information, resources, and ways to learn more about sickle cell disease and how to help. 🔗 https://rdcrss.org/3gymsy7 ♥️

06/04/2026

Big impact, big rewards. Come to give blood or platelets June 1-28 and receive a $15 e-gift card to the merchant of your choice, plus automatic entry for a chance at one of two $7.5K gift cards. Book your lifesaving moment now: https://rcblood.org/3NDDsao

06/03/2026

The Red Cross is proud to be teaming up with Lions Clubs across Connecticut to save lives this June!

With 29 blood drives happening statewide, your donation will make a real impact for patients in need.

📅 Find a drive near you and book your appointment today: RedCrossBlood.org
Sponsor code: LIONS

AVON: Avon Senior Center: 6/19/2026
BETHANY: Bethany Lions Club: 6/23/2026
BRIDGEPORT: St. Andrew's Church: 6/27/2026
BRISTOL: Doubletree: 6/25/2026
BROOKFIELD: Congregational Church of Brookfield: 6/24/2026
CHESHIRE: Cheshire Public Library: 6/23/2026
CROMWELL: Cromwell Town Hall: 6/15/2026
DANBURY: Danbury Lions Club: 6/26/2026
DERBY: Shelton Community Center: 6/19/2026
EAST HAVEN: Our Lady of Pompeii: 6/29/2026
GALES FERRY: Gales Ferry Fire: 7/9/2026
GRANBY: St. Therese Church: 6/25/2026
GREENWICH: First Presbyterian: 6/13/2026
KENT: Kent Lions: 6/15/2026
NEW BRITAIN: New Britain EMS: 7/29/2026
NEWTOWN: Newtown Congregational Church: 6/30/2026
NORWALK: Norwalk Inn & Conference Center: 6/10/2026
OXFORD: Oxford Community: 6/25/2026
PLAINVILLE: Our Lady of Mercy: 6/19/2026
PORTLAND: Portland Lions Club: 6/3/2026
RIDGEFIELD: First Congregational Church - Ridgefield: 6/25/2026
SEYMOUR: Seymour Land Trust: 6/30/2026
SIMSBURY: Simsbury Community: 6/23/2026
SOUTHBURY: Heritage Hotel: 6/18/2026
TRUMBULL CENTER: Trumbull Center Lions: 6/6/2026
WALLINGFORD & NORTH HAVEN: Polish National Alliance: 6/23/2026
WATERBURY: Our Lady of Loreto: 6/24/2026
WINSTED: Little Barn Brewers: 6/22/2026
WOLCOTT: Wolcott Lions Club: 6/20/2026

🎁 Presenting donors at one of the Lions Club locations will receive an exclusive t-shirt (while supplies last!)

06/01/2026

CPR & AED Awareness Week is a reminder that learning these lifesaving skills can turn an everyday person into the reason someone survives. Most cardiac arrests happen where immediate medical help isn’t available.

When a heart stops, every second matters.

Learn how to respond at www.redcross.org/take-a-class.

05/31/2026

Thank you to our Red Cross volunteers for being there for the community. ❤️We’ve provided meals and blankets, and we are working with partners to ensure people have access to longer‑term recovery resources

An apartment building in Groton is presently uninhabitable, and the Red Cross is assisting the residents after a fire early Sunday morning. https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-london/firefighters-fighting-apartment-fire-in-groton-sunday-morning/

05/30/2026

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for donors and is counting on people to act now and book a time to give lifesaving blood or platelets. Scheduled donations, which account for 90% of all blood donations, have dropped sharply in recent weeks. As a result, the blood supply has fallen by several thousand units in just a week, raising concerns that the decline could worsen as we enter trauma season.

A sharp drop in scheduled donations is especially troubling now, during a season when blood collection can be difficult due to end of the school-year activities, travel and school breaks, as well as severe weather and heat that can disrupt blood drives entirely

Securing appointments in the coming weeks is critical to maintaining a healthy blood supply for all patients depending on transfusions. Make an appointment to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

05/29/2026

Our 2026 Sickle Cell Forum yesterday brought together an extraordinary group of partners and advocates from across the state who have a shared mission to enhance the quality of life for those living with sickle cell. Regional Executives Richard Branigan and Trish Sablitz opened the event with special remarks,, followed by presentations from Lauren Smith, Director of the Divisional Immunohematology Reference Lab, and Shawn Reynolds, Diverse Donor Program Manager.

A highlight of the day was our expert panel with Dr. Fay West, American Red Cross Regional Medical Director, and Dr. Biree Andamarium of the UConn School of Medicine, founding director of the New England Sickle Cell Institute and the CT Bleeding Disorders Center. Their unique insights into patient care and the evolving needs of the sickle cell patients were invaluable.

Attendees also participated in a working lunch with breakout sessions and toured our facilities to see firsthand the work that supports patients and donors every day. The heartfelt mission moments shared by Amarilis and Michayla, two mothers caring for children with sickle cell, reminded us why this work matters and how essential blood donors are to families across our region.

A huge thanks to our board member Cheryl Engels, our staff and everyone who joined us for this meaningful and collaborative event.

05/29/2026

🚨We're hiring! We're looking for a Community Volunteer Engagement Senior Specialist to help strengthen our mission across Connecticut and Rhode Island.

In this role, you’ll mobilize and support volunteers to deliver meaningful impact across all Red Cross services. You’ll grow local volunteer capacity, create new engagement opportunities, and work directly with our incredible volunteers while supporting teams across the region.

If you’re passionate about community impact and empowering volunteers, we’d love to hear from you!

Click the link to learn more about the role:

https://americanredcross.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/American_Red_Cross_Careers/job/Farmington-CT/Community-Volunteer-Engagement--Senior-Specialist_RC88406?locations=a07a12b35fde101d74147bb2a224c263

05/28/2026

“I remember you. You were the one who put the alarms in my house.”

It was a full circle moment when a smoke alarm installed by Red Cross volunteers helped save a Hartford family and the same volunteer who installed it was there again to support them after the fire. Working smoke alarms and preparation saves lives.

Read the full story here -> www.redcross.org/local/connecticut/about-us/news-and-events/news/i-remember-you-you-were-the-one-who-put-the-alarms-in-my-house.html

Photo credit: Squad Fire Photos

05/27/2026

The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30. While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a below-normal season, that’s not a reason to become complacent.

It only takes one hurricane making landfall to cause a devastating impact and these powerful storms are not just a problem for people who live along the coast. They can move inland, leaving massive destruction in their wake.

The Red Cross joined state leaders to discuss what this season could mean for Connecticut and how you can be prepared: https://rdcrss.org/4dOzrsu

Stay informed. Make a plan. Take action now to protect yourself and your family.

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — “It only takes one storm. One storm,” Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) Commissioner Ronnell Higgins said on Tuesday, urging resi…