The Journal Record recently honored American Red Cross Tulsa Area Chapter volunteer Kirk Summers as a 2024 Health Care Hero.

Kirk is a blood transportation specialist and Disaster Action Team member. His journey as a volunteer is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and reflects a deep sense of community responsibility. His dedication comes from core values instilled during his youth.

"Once a Boy Scout, always a Boy Scout,” Kirk will say.

In December 2020, after he had retired, Kirk was giving blood at the Red Cross Donor Center in Tulsa. A fellow donor asked him, "Are you bored of retirement yet?"

That question sparked a new chapter in Kirk's life. Encouraged to channel his time and energy into volunteering with the Red Cross, Kirk embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly.

Since then, Kirk has started to build a remarkable legacy of giving. He has volunteered nearly 2,500 hours with the Red Cross in just three years. Every Friday, he devotes eight hours to a shift as a blood transportation specialist, ensuring that lifesaving donations reach patients in need. The Red Cross tests each unit of donated blood for infectious diseases and to establish its type. Then, time is of the essence; drivers are needed to deliver blood to hospitals in the region at all hours of the day. Kirk is at the heart of the Red Cross Biomedical Services mission every step of the way.

As his role within the Tulsa Area Red Cross Chapter has expanded, he continues to donate more than time. Kirk has donated blood since he was 18 and switched to giving platelets about a decade ago. Platelets, like all blood products, cannot be manufactured and must be donated constantly to meet the needs of patients. With a family history touched many times by the impact of cancer, Kirk understood firsthand the urgency and importance of his contributions.

For Kirk, dedicating three hours to giving platelets is driven by the hope that he can help families battling cancer. He donates platelets 24 times a year — the maximum amount allowed — and what started as a solitary reflection on the lives he was impacting has evolved into a communal experience. With the time Kirk spends in the donation chair, he finds time to rewatch "Band of Brothers" and seizes the opportunity to catch up with fellow volunteers, turning what could be a solitary endeavor into a chance to ask other donors, "Are you bored yet?"

Kirk continues to add to his volunteer service. He joined the Red Cross Disaster Action Team as a home fire responder. He has offered comfort and support to more than 200 families affected by home fires. Kirk has also become a Logistics Manager in Tulsa, taking care of the warehouse with the same meticulous attention and commitment that characterizes his platelet donations.

The heart of Kirk’s efforts lies in fostering a sense of community among volunteers. His welcoming spirit and genuine enthusiasm have proven instrumental in attracting individuals to the cause, ensuring that the Red Cross continues to thrive in its mission.

The more he gives, the more his desire to inspire and guide others on their own journey of volunteering grows. Recognizing the ever-present need for volunteers, Kirk has become a driving force in recruiting and training new Red Crossers. 

As part of a new Disaster Action Team Academy series, he shares his knowledge and experience with a new generation of volunteers. Kirk plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of disaster response, instilling in others the values of compassion, resilience, and community service.

Kirk’s commitment as a dedicated platelet donor, blood transportation specialist, disaster responder and advocate for volunteerism shows the power of one individual's dedication.