Despite it all, this year brought about inspiring and touching stories that resonated with our readers. We looked at the most popular stories from 2021 and brought them together for us to enjoy again as we end 2021.
Friendly Call program brings Canadians together
![A woman sitting at a table with a phone to her ear](/crc/BlogImagesEn/blog1_11.jpg)
The program pairs specially trained volunteers with isolated Canadians for weekly phone calls to provide support, companionship, and links to resources in the community.
“It brings me companionship, something to look forward to each week,” says program participant Ruth. “Conversation really brightens my day.”
Doctor from Ecuador helps lead Red Cross response to COVID-19
![A woman in a Red Cross vest smiling at the camera](/crc/BlogImagesEn/blog2_15.jpg)
We understand the popularity of this story which details the life of an international medical graduate who came to Canada in 2015.
Doctor Denisse Borbor, a public health care advisor for the Canadian Red Cross, shares what it was like to lead epidemic, prevention and control teams on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response.
“I have learned that I am very capable of doing anything that I put my mind to,” says Denisse, following her shift at a long-term care home in Quebec.
Art in hard times – Young artists use creativity to cope with COVID-19
![A collage of artwork depicting colourful pieces of Indigenous artistry](/crc/BlogImagesEn/blog3_300.jpg)
“The thing that keeps me most grounded in and excited about this work is creating relationships,” says Michelle Peek, Executive Director and Founder of Art Not Shame.
Volunteering in mental health while studying to become a doctor
![A woman smiling at the camera with white background](/crc/BlogImagesEn/blog4.jpg)
“During my surgery rotations, I would observe that when patients were sad or lonely, they did not recover as quickly as patients who were in good spirits and had supportive people around them,” says Wegdan.
Community ties shine in Red Cross assistance to Saskatchewan family displaced by fire
![Three people in winter hats crowd together for a photo outside](/getmedia/d0968f0a-c685-46aa-bec0-97e5ccebfae2/blog5.jpg.aspx;.pdf;?width=268&height=300)
This story describes a harrowing night for the Pettitt family in Saskatchewan who experienced a house fire – as well as community support.
“I feel so fortunate because your brain isn’t thinking at all,” says Mark Pettitt, “It was so nice to have someone there looking after everything so we could do a few things, like call our insurance company.”
Women in Leadership: Carmen Ferrer
![Carmen in a blue shirt and colourful necklace smiling at the camera](/getmedia/6adc55f8-3a25-4b13-b47a-e97371a2f8fd/blog6.jpg.aspx;.pdf;?width=279&height=300)
It is her job to help meet the needs of people who have lost much due to these hurricanes.
“It’s not only the percentage of women in leadership positions, but also the true respect and belief that we are there because we must be,” says Carmen, “We must, to have higher diversity in opinions and visions, to reach every sphere that we’re working with.”
Knitting through COVID-19, and through Red Cross history
![An archival photo of a group of women sitting around a table knitting](/crc/BlogImagesEn/blog7.jpg)
“During the First and Second World Wars, small booklets with knitting patterns were distributed across Canada. Women used the patterns to make much-needed items for soldiers and civilians who were impacted by the conflicts and the Canadian Red Cross distributed them...an estimated 750,000 volunteers knit 50 million items during WWII alone.”
Red Cross aide offers friendship in long-term care home
![Kara in a care facility with goggles and mask on](/getmedia/6cc86c02-f53a-462b-9b77-f76e42a37193/blog8.jpg.aspx;.pdf;?width=269&height=300)
The Saskatchewan resident went to Winnipeg to provide much-needed social support for residents, enabling care home staff to focus on other needs of the residents.
“I decided that it was an opportunity to help. I think our seniors are very vulnerable through this all so to be able to help them in any way was the way to go,” says Kara.
Top stories for practical tips
There were many popular stories relating to practical tips and advice for various aspects of life this past year: coping with loneliness, beating winter blues, disaster preparedness for expecting parents, tips for parents who are feeling overwhelmed, and more.
Here are the most popular of these stories from 2021:
- 11 tips for parents who are feeling overwhelmed
- Self-care tips to keep you happy and healthy this winter
- Pregnant? Follow these tips to prepare for disasters or emergencies
- Tips for coping with loneliness
- Dispelling 5 common disaster myths
- The benefits of exercise for your physical and mental health