Note from the President - October 2026
I am still over the moon how the 3UNION turned out in Philadelphia! Our in-person reunion in late September brought together 100 Red Crossers from the American Red Cross Overseas Association (ARCOA), American Red Cross Alumni Network (ARCAN), and the Disaster Reunion Group of former and current disaster services staff and volunteers.
This event went beyond my expectations. People were so excited to see others they hadn't seen in ages. We all loved the story-telling session and sharing our memories – the good, the bad, the ugly, the scary, and the embarrassing.
I saw time and again the continuing passion for the Red Cross mission, whether it was Services to the Armed Forces, disaster services, blood services, or international services. The Regional Headquarters for Southeastern Pennsylvania was a magnificent building; it houses both Humanitarian Services and the organization’s only National Molecular Laboratory plus an Immunohematology Reference Laboratory and several others.
ARCAN members tell us what they value is the opportunity to connect or reconnect with friends and former colleagues, and it was so great to see people gathering together to reminisce in person and strengthen the bonds that have always made this network so special.
We marked the 75th anniversary of ARCOA in Philadelphia and it was special for ARCAN to be part of the dinner to recognize the work and legacy of these Red Crossers and their service, including the historic Donut Dollies program and those who have recently served. ARCOA’s members are an important link to the long Red Cross history of service to members of the military and their families.
SAF – Past, Present and Future
ARCAN has two upcoming webinars about the service and support by the Red Cross to members of the military and their families.
On October 29th at 5 p.m. ET, Jarrett Barrios will present an update on the reorganization of SAF and his goals for the next five years in addition to the latest news about International Services. Then, on November 10 at 5 p.m. ET, our webinar program brings together Red Cross leaders who served in the military, including a SAF staffer recently back from deployment in Kuwait and a veteran’s spouse and mother of soldiers serving today.
More information on these sessions and how to register can be found later in this newsletter.
Becky
