American Red Cross of Illinois

Please join us in welcoming Ryan McVey as the new Executive Director of the Illinois River Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross! 🎉

Ryan brings extensive humanitarian and disaster response leadership experience, along with a deep passion for community resilience, volunteer engagement, and service to others. His collaborative leadership style and commitment to strengthening communities will help guide the chapter into an exciting new phase of growth and impact.

We are excited for the future ahead and grateful to have Ryan helping lead our mission of providing hope, support, and care to families across the Illinois River Valley.

📢 Urgent Call: Blood donors needed now.

We are counting on generous donors like you 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.

✔️ Donors of all blood types are essential in keeping the blood supply strong enough to withstand summer challenges.

When you roll up your sleeve, you are helping patients like Elena Garnello who survived a devastating car accident that left her with extensive injuries, 12 surgeries, multiple fractures, and the need for repeated blood transfusions. Elena is a regular blood donor herself.

"The blood transfusions saved my life. I encourage everyone to become a blood donor. I never thought I would need it, and then the accident happened. If I can help someone, I will. That is why I continue to donate blood," said Elena.

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day hospitals see an increase in severe injuries from car accidents, ATV crashes, sports-related injuries, and other summer activities. A single person injured in a serious car accident can require up to 100 units of blood.

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 at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS

97 years of combined service. Countless lives impacted. One incredible commitment to showing up. ❤️

During this week's Volunteers of the Week, we celebrate two extraordinary Red Cross volunteers, Vicky Brown and Scott Clark, true powerhouses who have spent decades serving selflessly wherever the need is greatest.

Vicky’s journey began as a lifeguard and grew into a lifelong commitment to teaching CPR, first aid, and lifesaving skills. From instructing others to responding to disasters—including the 9/11 response in New York—Vicky has never stopped answering the call.

Scott is a steady and trusted leader behind some of our most critical disaster responses. With 56 deployments, he has helped guide operations across all five Illinois chapters, strengthening partnerships and ensuring families receive support when it matters most.

Together, they embody what it means to show up with heart, leadership, and purpose—and are two of the incredible forces the Illinois Red Cross counts on when it matters most.

Inspired by Vicky and Scott? You can make a difference too. Join the Red Cross and be there for your community when it matters most. RedCross.org/Volunteer

No matter the hour. No matter the weather. No matter the challenge. ❤️

Red Cross volunteers across the region show up with compassion, strength, and humanity for people facing some of life’s hardest moments. From the middle of the night after a home fire to severe storms, blood drives, community events, and beyond, they stand ready to lend a hand, a shoulder, and support when it’s needed most.

To our incredible volunteers: thank you for your unwavering dedication, your selflessness, and the countless ways you bring hope to others every single day. The Red Cross mission is only possible because of you.

RedCross.org/Volunteer | 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767)

📢 Your help is urgently needed!

After a dangerous drop in scheduled appointments, we're asking donors of all blood types to hurry in to give to help keep the blood and platelet supply strong this summer.

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

The need for blood is constant. Every donation is crucial!

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.

The American Red Cross of Illinois, in partnership with United Way of Adams County, Inc. (Adams County, IL), will be installing free smoke alarms in homes throughout Quincy from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday June 5! — And we are looking for interested volunteers and homes in need for free smoke alarms:

🚨 In need of free smoke alarms? Sign your home up to have alarms installed during our Sound the Alarm event by visiting https://tinyurl.com/BeSafeQuincy!

Join us and be a part of saving lives through our Sound the Alarm Program by making the Quincy community safer from home fires!

🏖️ Sunshine, good deeds & a brand‑new beach towel? Yes, please.

➡️ Come to give blood or platelets May 18-31 and snag an oversized Red Cross towel to show off at all your summer celebrations, while they last.

Don't miss out! Book your donation here: rcblood.org/appt

Thank you to everyone who came out, rolled up a sleeve, donated blood and helped save lives during today's Superhero Blood Drive! 🩸

Your donations will help trauma patients, new mothers, sickle cell warriors and those battling cancer have access to the safe, lifesaving blood that they need!

Thank you to 25News WEEK and America's Gold Star Families Organization Page for supporting this drive and the mission of the American Red Cross!

Weren't able to join us today? Make your next blood donation appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App!

🩸Help save lives this summer by donating blood and making a difference for patients in need! 🩸

As a special thank-you, all who come to give at participating blood drives will receive TWO wristbands, while supplies last, for entry to Tailgate N' Tallboys Bloomington Illinois on June 18, 19, and 20 — generously provided by Peachtree Entertainment.

📝 Check out participating blood drives - https://rdcrss.org/3RQeCWh

Your blood donation could help save accident victims, cancer patients, individuals living with sickle cell disease, and so many others counting on lifesaving blood every day. Thank you for donating blood!