Burl Brooks walked into the Red Cross office in Springfield, Mo. looking for assistance. Brooks was able to get help through a unique program that the chapter administers with its partnership with the United Way of the Ozarks through its Veterans Fund.

This 19-year-old Mark Burrow has stoically dealt with pain coursing through his body caused by Sickle Cell. Both of Mark’s parents carried the Sickle Cell trait, but he was the only one in his family of five to have the full-blown disease.

Davis Dwight was at hitting lessons when he collapsed & went into sudden cardiac arrest. Coach Nic Crouch & retired Kansas City Royals catcher Mike Macfarlane jumped right in to help, working as a team to administer CPR.

Carla Dobbs & her 5-year-old daughter know first-hand how important a working smoke alarm can be, as they were home relaxing when suddenly they were jarred by the high-pitched beeping from the smoke alarm that was installed a few years earlier.

American Red Cross volunteer Sandra Johnson has served her community in many ways for over 40 years. This past year, she was presented the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award.

For the first time in 16 years, Chris Goodenough was able to give blood. Born in the U.K., Chris was ineligible due to a geographical risk of being exposed to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease.

One cold winter day, athletic, soccer-loving 12-year-old Sara Espindola woke up unable to move her left side. Now, 21, Sara credits her medical team, her loving family, her faith and platelets for her recovery from what was a stroke.

Little Rock residents, Mark & Sharon Taylor were at home when the tornado sirens started to go off. Mark took cover downstairs, but his wife wasn’t able to get downstairs. Their four-year-old pitbull jumped into action, ultimately saving Sharon’s life.

In 1964, Phyllis Losack was married to the love of her life, raising a young family. Phyllis recalled how life can drastically chance in the blink of an eye due to a fire, and how she has found healing volunteering for the American Red Cross.

Jim Gallagher spent more than 27 years working as a reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Now he uses those same skills of listening and showing empathy to assist those impacted by disaster.

Robin Duncan was used to tornado alerts and over the years she had seen her share of storms. But in her 76 years, she never had been in the path of a twister until now.

Mississippi County Arkansas is one of 15 communities across the country that has been hit repeatedly with disasters and where access to basic needs and assistance is limited. Check out how the Red Cross is teaming up to help!