All Posts
A Disaster Manager Looks Back on the 2020 Oregon Wildfires
Written by Patricia Griffiths, Cascades Communications Volunteer On September 7, 2020, high winds surged across Oregon, spreading a few small wildfires into multiple roaring conflagrations. More than one million acres […]
From Worry to Relief: A Sister’s Search Ends at a Red Cross Shelter
Written by Isabel Anderson, Regional Communications Manager The Flat Fire started the evening of August 21st in Jefferson and Deschutes County. Overnight, the fire grew exponentially from 8,000 to 21,000 […]
The American Red Cross is Ready for Wildfires, Are You?
By: Darrell Fuller, Oregon Red Cross Volunteer The American Red Cross responds to about 65,000 disasters every year and provides shelter, food, and hope for those impacted by severe weather […]
‘Because I can.’ Oregon Blood Donor Hits 100 Gallon Milestone
Written by Isabel Anderson, Regional Communications Manager As he holds back tears, David Schapiro, a long time platelet donor, explains “my slogan has always been ‘Because I can’, it’s as […]
“I Wasn’t Expecting It, and It Was Nice”: Red Cross and Partners Bring Hope to Burdoin Fire Survivors
By Rebecca Marshall When the Red Cross talks about partnerships after a disaster, this is what they mean. On August 6, 2025, close to a dozen agencies gathered at the […]
Katrina Long Traded 50K Trail Run for a Hospital Bed After Sudden Health Scare Ahead of 50th Birthday
By Patricia Griffiths, Red Cross Volunteer Katrina Long had been preparing to celebrate her 50th birthday by trail-running a 50K; instead, she ended up in the hospital, gasping for air. […]
Five Years Strong: Julie Bolt’s Journey Sparked by Oregon’s 2020 Wildfires
By Katherine Liu, Red Cross Volunteer When wildfires tore through Oregon in 2020, thousands were forced to flee from their homes. The year saw the most destructive fires on record […]
From Tornadoes to Wildfires, Kat Thiede Explains Why She Keeps Volunteering with the Red Cross
Written by Harriet Vanderbilt, Red Cross Communications Volunteer Kat Thiede has participated in many GAP (Group Activity Position) activities in her one and a half years of Cascades Region volunteering. […]
Papa Johns Partners with Red Cross to Bring Blood Donors in the Door During Challenging Summer Months
Severe summer weather and disasters can have a sudden impact on the ability to collect blood and platelets. Scheduling and keeping donation appointments are crucial throughout this summer to ensure blood […]
From Donor to Recipient: Rhonda Powell’s Cancer Fight Inspires a Community to Give Back
Written by Isabel Anderson, Regional Communications Manager Rhonda Powell, an avid blood donor, never expected to be the person who relied on blood transfusions but in January of 2024, she […]