Honoring Our Community Heroes during Red Cross Month

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross honors the people who make our lifesaving mission possible. When people face what can be the worst time in their lives, Red Cross volunteers — who comprise 90% of our workforce — donors and other supporters step up to help people get the relief and care they need. 

Here are some of their stories:

DISASTER ACTION TEAM Rebecca Cartmell is a third-generation volunteer who currently serves as the lead for the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) in Mason County, Kentucky, following in the footsteps of her grandmother and mother. When a disaster strikes — such as a flood, home fire or storm — Rebecca contacts the people affected and helps provide aid such as immediate financial assistance, help to replace lost prescription medication or eyeglasses, and other support for them to navigate their next steps. She also connects families to other organizations that can help.

Rebecca acknowledged that while the nature of helping people in their darkest moments can be “emotionally taxing,” she was quick to point out how her role is meaningful and fulfilling. “You feel good about helping other people,” she said.

SAF HERO CARE CASEWORKERS These volunteers help when a military family experiences a medical emergency or significant life event. This support is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either online, on the phone or through the Red Cross Hero Care app.

Red Cross Hero Care caseworker Ciana Naputi loves “being on the frontlines.” Sometimes her work leads to a service member getting permission to come home and support their family after an illness or death of an immediate family member — or a significant life event such as the birth of a child.  

“You probably haven’t seen your service member in years, so to have them home at that time of need, I know that’s a great feeling,” said Ciana. 

She can relate first-hand to how important the support is: “My family had to use [the Hero Care Network] for my grandparents back in Guam. My dad had to use it for my mom, who passed away over 10 years ago. So, being on the frontlines of it, I really love it.”  

TAKE A CLASS The Red Cross Lifesaver Award recognizes a lifesaving act performed by someone who utilized skills learned through Red Cross health and safety training. Father and son Tony and Drew Ashley were flying from Baltimore to West Palm Beach, Florida, when the passenger next to Tony went into respiratory arrest and was unconscious.

The father and son worked on the passenger for 45 minutes and ultimately saved the man’s life. They are both Red Cross-certified instructors who regularly teach classes on CPR, first aid and other lifesaving skills.

“The training that we got from the Red Cross kicked in and we started to do what we had to do to save him,” Drew recalled. “Thank God we were there. No one else on the plane knew what to do. However, the credit goes to the Red Cross because without the training we had, he wouldn’t have made it.”

Drew added: “Everyone should get trained. You don’t want something to happen to a loved one and you don’t have the knowledge to help save their life. You never know when an emergency will happen. Those are skills you can’t really put a price on.”

NEW BLOOD DONOR Red Cross worker Ana Maria Málaga learned the importance of donating blood after her four-year-old brother, Antonio, was diagnosed with blood cancer. Her family’s quiet life in Lima, Peru, suddenly revolved around new terms like leukemia, hemoglobin, transfusions and blood types.

During the seven years that Antonio battled cancer, he needed numerous transfusions. “It was incredible to see his cheeks turn rosy again, and he would be back to playing soccer with his friends, coming home sweaty and happy like any healthy kid from the neighborhood,” she said.

Ana Maria recently gave blood for the first time. “Unfortunately, my story does not have a happy ending,” she said. “My brother passed away a few months after turning eleven. But seeing him fight almost his entire childhood against a relentless illness has deepened my commitment to helping other children like him who are waiting for that blood transfusion that will allow them to go out and play with their friends again and enjoy the simple act of being children.”

JOIN US AND HELP THOSE IN NEED During Red Cross Month, join Rebecca, Ciana, Tony, Drew and Ana Maria in their commitment to give back in their communities. Make a financial donation, book an appointment to give blood or put on a Red Cross vest to volunteer with us. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn more about some of our most needed volunteer positions, which include: 

• Disaster Action Team (DAT): Help families in your community after a home fire or other disaster.
• Hero Care Caseworker: Support members of the military, their families and our veterans by providing emergency communications and critical services to military families all over the world.  
• Blood Donor Ambassadors: Greet donors at blood drives, help them register, answer questions and assist them at the refreshments table.  
• Blood transportation specialists: Support hospital patients by delivering blood from our facilities to local hospitals.
• Shelter Volunteers: Ensure the needs of shelter residents are met and help them access additional services.
•  Disaster Health Services: Licensed healthcare professionals can provide hands-on care, health education, health assessments, and additional health-related support in shelters.