When Lynn Alcock received a call from the Red Cross to assist temporarily in the Health Equipment Loan Program, she immediately said yes. Nine years later, the former mental health counsellor still enjoys giving her time to help Yukoners. When asked what keeps her coming back, volunteer Cornelia Tegart says it is all about helping people.

While the holidays can be an exciting time, it can also be a difficult time for some of us. Even for those surrounded by festivities, food and family, it can be a time when we feel alone, disconnected or isolated, for many reasons, which affects our sense of wellbeing and mental health. Here, we’ve gathered some information on stress, and tips for taking care of yourself and others. 

Dealing with years of chronic pain would be stressful enough on its own. Now add to that the hardship of being in the hospital for months at a time, finally getting to return home, but with no support from people around you to help make that transition.

The James family were one of many households in Ottawa impacted by the Great Ice Storm of 1998.  They managed through the many chilly nights without power but realized they could have been more prepared. Debbie made the decision, when the time was right, to join the Canadian Red Cross. When learning how to be better prepared for disasters, she also trained to be a responder to help others. 
On September 21, 2018, when tornadoes tore through the Ottawa/Gatineau region, Debbie had volunteered with the Red Cross for 13 years. In that time, she had responded to over 100 individual emergencies and supported Canadians impacted by  large-scale disasters like the Alberta Floods and Fort McMurray Fires. 
 

It’s International Women’s Day so let’s shine a spotlight on some inspiring women who, with barriers removed, show they can achieve amazing success. Here, we pay tribute to the many remarkable women in our organization or who have used our programs as a springboard to enlighten theirs or others’ lives. 

In Mali, most infant deaths are associated with diseases that can be treated with medication. What kills babies, among other things, is that these diseases are often detected too late. Why? There are a number of reasons, but in Koulikoro, in the villages where the Red Cross team is working, one of the biggest reasons seems to have to do with tradition.

Even though colder months keep kids indoors more frequently, it’s still important to wonder where they are. Even though kids are home, most homes have access to the Internet, increasing the threat of online risks such as cyberbullying. Even inside a home, a youth can feel harassed, threatened and bullied as cyberbullying can be done anonymously and done across all social media and other online platforms.

A chance encounter at a party changed G’s life forever. Armed conflict and chaos in the Congo ripped her family apart, and after almost a decade of separation and searching, she finally found a path to reunification.