National Water Safety Month









Join the May 21 Webinar with

Connie Harvey

Nonmembers are welcome! 

Where Are They Now?  A Q&A with Bonnie Virch

“On my 80th birthday, I did a tandem skydive by jumping out of an airplane at 14,000 feet. Yes, I really did that!”

 May, 2024

President's Letter


It’s official--we have a new name that will reflect the shift to an alumni organization! And we’re excited to announce it to you first!! ARCRA will soon relaunch as the American Red Cross Alumni Network—informally called ARCAN—and NHQ has officially updated our trademark agreement to reflect this.

Among other progress toward the transition, the ARCRA board adopted new bylaws that officially broaden the membership to include alumni of all ages and approved a new mission/vision around that focus.

We can’t wait to unveil the full package to our members and begin reaching out to prospective new members. There are many moving parts at this point, but we are on track to launch in June with a fresh website, updated newsletter, and new social media channels. 

When we launch our pages on LinkedIn and Facebook, we will establish private groups for events and member-only conversations. We’re planning tutorials and live virtual instruction to facilitate connecting with members up front. If you don’t have accounts on LinkedIn and Facebook, signing up now will enable you to connect easily when the new pages and groups are in place. More on this is in the works, so stay tuned.

It’s a very busy time for our committees and task forces and we will need your help going forward. More is coming soon about how you can help by reaching out to your Red Cross colleagues to grow the ARCAN community.

In other big news this month, the American Red Cross announced the departure of Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, who faithfully volunteered her time and energy to the organization for 20 years. Read Bonnie's letter to her fellow Red Crossers here. 

Finally, I hope you'll plan to join the May webinar with a fan favorite, Aquatics Director Connie Harvey (May is National Water Safety Month). As a former Red Cross trained and certified lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor I can't wait to hear what news and updates Connie will share. 

Wishing you a great May with a safe and happy Memorial Day! 

Warmly,



ARCRA President Mary Buszuwski

      Wellness News

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      News

      Webinars

      The Red Cross Drowning Prevention

      Mission: Then and Now

      May 21

      Connie Harvey

      Director of Aquatics

      Centennial Initiatives

      American Red Cross


      Connie will take us on a journey through the evolution of the drowning prevention mission of the American Red Cross. The early philosophies and strategies of Commodore Wilbert E. Longfellow – Red Cross Lifesaver #1 – can still be seen, but today’s programs bring exciting purpose and innovation. Learn how you can get engaged in this meaningful mission and become an ambassador for water safety! 


      Connie works daily to advance the Red Cross mission to prevent drowning, with a focus on at-risk communities throughout the nation. She is a national spokesperson for the organization regarding drowning prevention and water safety. She is also a regular speaker at national conferences and represents the Red Cross as an advocate for water safety and drowning prevention at the federal level, including in Congressional briefings and hearings and with federal agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

      Reserve your spot by registering here. A confirmation email will include instructions for joining.

      Carmel Darcy, CFO

      American Red Cross

      Thanks to everyone who joined us for the Carmel Darcy's informative and insightful webinar! For those who missed it, view a recording here with passcode: tzZk1?+Z

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      Need help with your Red Cross retirement benefits? Just want to talk with another retiree? Phone the Retiree Connection at 202-303-8779 and a volunteer/retiree will return your call no later than the following day; often sooner.

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