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Lis Rohm, Red Cross Visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center
For injured troops in need of cheer, a visit from Red Cross volunteer Lis Rohm was just what the doctor ordered.
Katie Lawson, Staff Writer, Redcross.org
Wednesday, May 30, 2007 — Actress Lis Rohm is a Red Cross volunteer with her local chapter in New York. Last year, after traveling to the site of a devastating home fire in the Bronx, Rohm decided she wanted to do more with the organization.
Earlier this year, she approached the Red Cross about a possible visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in Washington, D.C. and on March 16, the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet member and former “Law & Order” star got her wish.
Assisted by Red Cross volunteers Betty Gomez (left) and Frankie Neale (right), Lis Rohm traveled the halls of Walter Reed Army Medical Center visiting patients and distributing items such as quilts and phone cards. More than 200 people volunteer with the Red Cross at Walter Reed working around the clock to support clinical staff. The Red Cross keeps toiletries and other items, such as blankets, stocked and available for long term patients.
(Photo Credit: Daniel Cima/American Red Cross)
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Accompanied by Terri Oshiro, Red Cross station manager, and Red Cross volunteers Betty Gomez and Frankie Neale, Rohm visited patients in the Orthopedic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Ward, where she cheered up soldiers with items such as handmade quilts and phone cards. She was struck by the strong spirit and positive attitude of the brave men and women as they told her about their future plans.
“I can’t tell you how much I enjoy talking to the soldiers and hearing their stories," she said. "They inspire me; they are my heroes,” she said.
As Rohm walked from room to room, she graciously stopped to chat with those who recognized her and brought smiles to hospital staff and patients alike. Though she distributed cookies, underwear and even a few iPods, her true gift was her genuine caring and ability to bring out the best in everyone she met.
As she reached the Inpatient Physical Therapy Room, Rohm met and chatted with a young soldier with badly injured legs who was beginning his rehabilitation exercises. Upon learning of the long days and nights his grandmother spends with him in the hospital, Rohm presented them with a handmade quilt. Many other patients undergoing physical therapy also had the opportunity to chat with Rohm and share their stories.
Gavriel Jacobs, a patient at WRAMC, receives a homemade quilt from Lis Rohm on behalf of the Red Cross. Rohm spent time with Jacobs and others in the hospital’s inpatient physical therapy unit.
(Photo Credit: Daniel Cima/American Red Cross)
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While at WRAMC, Rohm also visited the Occupational Therapy Ware and talked at length with a Marine who had lost both of his legs. The young man told her that he had grown up with the Red Cross and hopes to volunteer when he gets home from the hospital. He praised the Red Cross for always offering goods and services to those in need.
“That’s what I love about the Red Cross,” Rohm told him. “Whatever you need, they’re there to give it to you. It’s always something different but they always pull through.”
After spending the morning at Walter Reed, Rohm headed across town to Red Cross National Headquarters. There, she met with Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter who presented her with a special award-the National Crystal Cross, which recognizes her dedicated service to the organization.
Red Cross Chairman Bonnie McElveen-Hunter awards Lis Rohm the National Crystal Cross. Rohm's longtime involvement with the American Red Cross exemplifies the volunteer spirit that is the very backbone of the organization.
(Photo Credit: Katie Lawson/American Red Cross)
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Led by Mary Anne Kelly, Red Cross associate for disaster operations, Rohm then walked through the Red Cross Disaster Operations Center (DOC). During her tour, Rohm met several DOC staff members and got a first hand look at the hub of Red Cross disaster relief operations, where volunteers work around the clock to assist those affected by everyday disasters.
After her trip to Washington, Rohm expressed interest in returning to both Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Red Cross headquarters. In April, she traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia to observe Red Cross programs related to maternal and child health and typhoon recovery work, then witnessed malaria work in Africa and Asia. In early May, she celebrated World Red Cross Red Crescent Day.
Lis Rohm continues to support the Red Cross’ Hometown Heroes campaign, which looks to recognize and celebrate even the smallest acts of kindness and heroism. She plans to continue her exceptional volunteer work with the American Red Cross well into the future.
The American Red Cross is not a government agency. We rely on the assistance of caring supporters like you to deliver our critical services. You can support U.S. military members and their families through the American Red Cross as we provide assistance and comfort. Your gift will support the nationally coordinated Red Cross services provided to military families across the country and to American service men and women located throughout the world. Please make a financial donation to Service to Armed Forces by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions may be sent to the American Red Cross Service to Armed Forces, P.O. Box 91820, Washington, DC 20090. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
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