A valentine from us to you!

Send these cute cards to your Valentines and spread the love! If you are unable to view this message correctly, [click here](. [American Red Cross]( February 2019 [Crossnotes]( [DONATE]( Blood donors are life savers [American Red Cross volunteers know the value of donating blood]( As a young boy, Joey Tripp was diagnosed with bone cancer and received countless blood transfusions, often traveling for hours to find a hospital that had his rare blood type. Today, he is a member of our Donor Relations team. His experiences inspired him to a career of service and remind us that blood donations are always needed and appreciated. [Read Joey’s story and take a moment to schedule your own blood donation today.]( Red Cross Reconnects Sisters After 72 Years Tamara and Lidia were young girls when the horrors of World War II tore their family apart. Tamara found refuge in the United States while Lidia’s journey took her to Finland and Russia. Despite the distance, they never stopped searching for one another – and were recently reunited with the help of the Red Cross Restoring Family Links program. [READ MORE]( Tips & Updates [Stay safe with these winter weather tips]( Staying safe when the weather outside is frightful Winter weather can be beautiful, but it is also incredibly dangerous. Slick roads and frigid temperatures make everyday tasks hazardous. Do you know how to prepare your car for winter weather travel? Could you recognize the signs of deadly hypothermia? [Protect your family this season with our winter safety tips guide.]( [Kelly snugles her son Maddox]( An Unexpected Complication. A Stranger’s Act of Love. These days, Kelly snuggles her son Maddox extra close – and with good reason. Thirty minutes after she delivered Maddox, Kelly endured a life-threatening pregnancy complication called placenta accreta. A major artery ruptured and doctors needed four units of blood – almost half of the blood in her body – in order to revive her. Over the course of 10 hours and 3 surgeries, doctors needed 31 more units of blood to stop the rupture and save Kelly’s life. “I’m alive today thanks to many generous blood donors. Most do not realize or understand that massive blood loss during and after childbirth is a possibility,” says Kelly. “I’m grateful to be alive to celebrate my survival story and help save the lives of more mothers.” A stranger’s selfless act of compassion helped to save Kelly’s life! Every day, Red Cross blood donors make a lifesaving difference for moms and babies. [You can help by booking an appointment to donate blood now.]( Valentines to inspire the special people in your life [Spread some love this Valentine’s Day]( Valentine’s Day is almost here, and if you still need cards for that special someone: don’t worry! Whether you’re sending to a service member, someone who sets your heart on fire, or the person who always has your back -- we’ve got you covered. [Our collection of Red Cross valentines are sure to put smiles on their faces and warm their hearts.]( Happy Valentine’s Day! Your Support at Work [Veterans who serve with the Red Cross]( Going above and beyond with a lifetime of service Veterans and service members choose to stand and serve our country, putting our safety before their own, and we could not be more grateful that they do. We’re proud to share that many in our Red Cross family are veterans, representing all branches of the military. [Meet some of the heroes who continue to serve after their military careers with the American Red Cross.]( Thanks to your support in January, we: [shelter] Opened 7 shelters, helping to provide more than 160 overnight stays [relief items] Distributed more than 530 relief items [meal] Served nearly 5,900 meals and snacks with partners [Thank you to our corporate supporters.]( [Thank you to Alpha Industries for supporting our Gala and donating $50,000 worth of coats for veterans.]( Winter Pet Safety? Your pet’s safety is important to us! [Download our free Pet First Aid app]( for tips on how to keep your furry friend safe this winter. [Get it on Google Play]( [Download on the App Store]( Become a Red Cross Champion [Become a Red Cross Champion]( The ongoing support of our monthly donors, whom we call Champions, makes a huge difference in the lives of those in need. [Consider joining this special group of donors today with a monthly gift]( and you can feel good knowing that your generosity will touch lives every day. Your monthly gift as a Champion will immediately be put to work helping those whose lives have been uprooted by disaster, victims who need blood after an accident, or those who need to get in touch with loved ones in the military. If you join today, you'll receive a special Red Cross pin to wear with pride. Red Cross news [My Red Cross Story: Rainier Gordon]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Red Cross Story: Ken Jones]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Red Cross Story: Joe Rollo]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Salute to Service Story: Tiffany Circle Honoree, Michelle Howard]( A Very Special Valentine for our Volunteers [Gail McGovern]( Gail McGovern, President and CEO American Red Cross Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone in our American Red Cross family, and especially to the compassionate and caring volunteers who help to make our humanitarian mission possible every single day. You are the reason we are there to help those in need all year long. To each and every one of our 25,000 blood drive volunteers, 14,700 volunteers working with military families and service members, and more than 14,000 disaster workers: thank you. You are the very heart of our Red Cross mission. 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