By Mark Maginn, American Red Cross
If ever there was a model life-preparation for the role of an American Red Cross volunteer, it would be the life of Amber Wilburn. Because of her willingness and ability to fulfill multiple roles, Amber received the 2021 Missouri-Arkansas Region “One Red Cross” award given to volunteers demonstrating proficiencies in various lines of service.
“I was the oldest child and babysitter to my two younger siblings,” she said. “You could say I fit right into the role of a caregiver — and that’s what I do for the Red Cross.”
Amber’s confidence began by looking after two younger siblings, but by her teenage years, she already displayed a confident, independence streak that serves her well as a Red Cross responder.
Growing up in southern Mississippi, her family decided to move to Louisiana the summer before her senior year of high school. With her parents’ blessing, Amber chose to stay in Mississippi to graduate with her lifelong friends. She says the decision “taught me independence and how to be a self-starter.”
Earning her nursing degree at Southern Mississippi University, she worked as a patient nurse. Then, she took a career leap into uncharted territory and began working at a state hospital in a psychiatric unit for girls aged 7 to 17.
“I loved it,” Amber said. “It helped me learn different ways of communicating.”
She believes all these experiences, along with the solid support of her family, helped her to be self-sufficient and independent — and also to ease up on herself. Like most people, she naturally feels some trepidation when faced with new challenges, but she has learned how to move beyond the jitters and deal with unique circumstances.
When deployed to disaster relief operations, Amber’s experiences and education have prepared her to deal with the challenges.
“I don’t just take things at face value, and I’m curious. I get out there and see all kinds of things. My background gives me the determination to do that, and it has definitely shaped where I am today,” she explained.
Her wide range of experiences gives her the flexibility to step into almost any volunteer position during a disaster relief operation. With extensive computer experience developed by entering medical data, she was able to transition smoothly into the virtual environment created by the pandemic.
“I’m able to perform support functions from home during a disaster relief operation so those on the front lines can do their jobs,” she said.
In recent years the American Red Cross has emphasized “One Red Cross,” a philosophy of everyone pitching in during times of disaster to fulfill the mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering. Amber Wilburn exemplifies the best of this tactic — a volunteer with the skills and commitment necessary to tackle any challenge that comes along.