In the past two years, two conditions that have prevented some people from donating blood since the 1980s have been modified or lifted, increasing the ever-needed pool of eligible blood donors.

John Gareis contributed mightily to the American Red Cross, managing an initiative to make homes and families in Cleveland safer with free smoke alarms. It served as a model for the national Home Fire Campaign, which was introduced nationwide in 2014.

Steve Gast was installing smoke alarms, making homes safer in Orrville, Ohio when he came across the remains of a burned-out home he had visited immediately after the fire, to provide comfort and assistance to the tenants.

Dr. Alaina Foster is an Air Force veteran and part of a four-generation family of U.S. service members. Her grandfather, father and husband all served in the Army, and two of her sons followed in her footsteps to serve in the Air Force.

First responders, students and community members were honored for performing extraordinary acts of heroism to help save lives at the annual Acts of Courage Awards presented by the American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley in March.

Dr. LaTrice Snodgrass hosted a blood drive for the Black community to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and the need for more diverse blood donors. And she gave blood for the first time at the event! “Our blood is truly lifesaving,” she said.

As blood began to flow from the wound in his father's leg, Chris Colarik took action. He called 9-1-1 and used a belt to fashion a tourniquet and slow the bleeding. Fortunately for his father, Chris received First Aid training from the American Red Cross.

Over the past year, the Red Cross of Northern Ohio has improved its ability to ensure pets are included when assisting families after a disaster. Megan Sylvester, Regional Recovery Manager for the Red Cross, has led this initiative.

A new position was created in 2024 to help deliver Red Cross programs and services to meet the needs of military members on U.S. bases overseas. Nasir Ahmad of the Northern Ohio Region is helping members of the U. S. military stationed in Iraq.

The Northern Ohio Tiffany Circle Women’s leadership society partnered with Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces to host two baby showers for women veterans. Items purchased by the community were assembled into baby bundles for 35 expectant moms.

At 14, Dylan Fink was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He received multiple blood transfusions during his treatment and recovered. He and his father share how those transfusions helped and why blood donation is vital to patients like Dylan.

More than 1,500 people in Northern Ohio can sleep more peacefully, knowing that if a fire occurs in their home, they’ll be warned by working smoke alarms installed in 2024 by the American Red Cross, its volunteers, and its partners.