American Red Cross Connecticut

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…

05/27/2026

The beach is calling … and so is your chance to help save lives! Just a few days left to get an exclusive Red Cross beach towel to bring along for all your sunny adventures when you come to give blood or platelets May 18-31 (while they last). Book now: rcblood.org/appt

05/25/2026

Today we pause to honor and remember the heroes who gave their all for our country. 🇺🇸

Hoy hacemos una pausa para honrar a los héroes que lo dieron todo por nuestro pais.

05/22/2026

We were thrilled to welcome students from across the state for a meaningful day of learning as we continue to support and empower the next generation of changemakers. Students from Windham Technical High School, H.H. Ellis Tech, Classical Magnet, A.I. Prince Tech, Eli Whitney THS, Bunnell High School, Brookfield High School, Thomaston High School, Oliver Wolcott Technical High School, and Waterbury Career Academy High School participated in our 2026 High School Conference.

Regional Executives Richard Branigan and Patricia Sablitz offered thoughtful remarks, helping set the tone for a day filled with connection and discovery.

Students toured our biomedical facilities, participated in a mock blood drive, and experienced a powerful Mission Moment as they heard cancer survivor Hayden O’Sullivan share his story, a journey that inspired him to host blood drives at his school and pursue a future in oncology at USC this fall.

A huge thank you to our amazing staff and everyone who contributed to making this event a success.

05/22/2026

In case you missed it: This past week we proudly presented Jayden and Jaxson Grayson with Lifesaving Awards for their heroic actions.

What began as a day at the beach quickly turned into a life‑or‑death moment, and these two brothers didn’t hesitate. Their instincts helped save multiple people caught in a dangerous rip current.

Click the link for the full FOX61 story:

The Grayson brothers received the Red Cross’s highest lifesaving honor on Wednesday in recognition of their courageous effort in the summer of 2024 in Westerly, R.I.