English Blog Categories

A long-time resident of Castlegar, a community in British Columbia’s West Kootenay region, Deborah was awarded the Order of Red Cross at the Officer level last summer. She previously received the Order of Red Cross, Member, in 2019. It’s the organization’s highest honour, recognizing her decades of exceptional humanitarian service. 

For more than 10 years, Canadian Red Cross volunteer Janis Brown has been there to support Canadians impacted by wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and public health emergencies; this summer, she was one of the people affected by wildfires in British Columbia.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, there’s a saying that you can experience all four seasons in the run of a day. One moment, the ocean is calm. The next, winds rise, waves crash, and communities prepare for whatever might be on the way. 

Each year, emergencies and disasters impact communities across Canada. As disruptive events such as wildfires, floods, and severe storms become more frequent, being prepared has never been more important. 

When Hurricane Melissa approached the Caribbean in October 2025, communities in Jamaica prepared themselves for what could become a catastrophic storm. 

Terry Wilson is a physiotherapist delegate with the Canadian Red Cross. With years of experience in pediatric rehabilitation, she has worked in various parts of the world, providing rehabilitation support to communities impacted by emergencies, disasters, and conflict. 

Every year, National Volunteer Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and compassion in support of their communities. 

In the past year, I’ve been to the Middle East region three times. Twice to visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory and, most recently in January, to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.