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As we get ready in ring in 2020, we're reflecting on some events from the past decade that brought together international aid workers, inspired innovative solutions to complex challenges, and showed the amazing capacity for resilience humans have in the face of disasters.

Meet Hanna, a mother, an artist, and a grandmother who beams of joy. She will welcome you into her home with a warm smile - you may be surprised to learn she is 87 years old and a survivor from World War 2. Hanna was 7 years old when war broke out in Poland in September 1939. She lived with her mother, father, and three siblings. The war took everything from them.
 

As this year comes to an end, we are reviewing the stories that were the most popular in 2019. Take a look at the blog posts that captured readers’ attention this year, from inspiring stories to helpful advice about staying safe. Here are the top 10 stories from our blog in 2019.

Nick Rondinelli and John Devlin were in their downtown Toronto offices on a spring day in late May, taking care of regular business responsibilities. Rondinelli was at his desk; Devlin was doing some paper work after teaching a first aid course when they heard a collision outside their window. A car and a scooter had collided head-on, propelling the rider several metres into the air. 

Disasters and emergencies can happen any day, which is why Red Cross volunteers are ready to meet urgent needs, even on Christmas Eve. 

The winter season brings many outdoor group and individual activities. Natural water bodies freeze over and become great recreational spaces for hockey, ice-skating and more. There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. However, precautions can be taken to reduce the risks.

There’s a good chance that when you think of the Canadian Red Cross, ground-breaking technology isn’t what first comes to mind. Most likely, you’d think of disaster response, humanitarian work, and first aid training; but, now, a new initiative by the Red Cross will make it a key player in the technology industry, when it comes to innovation, software development and data management.

It was late February 2019, in Saskatoon. The night was freezing, and Samantha was standing outside in her shorts. She left behind her phone charger, her medication, and the wheelchair she uses to aid in mobility issues stemming from chronic arthritis. Samantha left it all behind because the fire alarm was blaring, and thick smoke was filling the hallways of her apartment building.