By Roxanne Schorbach, American Red Cross Volunteer

It was early morning when Barbara Pitt arrived at Falcon Field Airport to donate blood. The drive, hosted by the American Red Cross in partnership with the Civil Air Patrol, was part of Operation Pulse Lift, an ongoing effort that began in April 2017 to support lifesaving blood collection and community readiness.

Barbara’s commitment to the Red Cross is deeply personal. Her family’s connection to the organization began with two life-changing experiences—both rooted in moments of crisis.

Several years ago, Barbara’s mother underwent what was expected to be a routine colonoscopy to remove polyps. A day later, she suffered severe and unexpected internal bleeding and was rushed to the hospital. That night, she received six units of blood, a transfusion that ultimately saved her life.

As Barbara sat in the emergency room, she knew doctors and nurses were working to stabilize her mother, and one thought kept returning: Where did this blood come from? She felt overwhelming gratitude knowing there was enough blood available at exactly the right moment. That night became a turning point.

Since then, Barbara has donated blood to the American Red Cross every 8 weeks, determined to help ensure that blood is available for someone else when it matters most.

“Anyone who is capable should be giving blood,” Barbara said. “It’s the one thing that can’t be duplicated artificially, and it truly saves lives. You never know when someone in your family—or someone you’ve never met—might need it.”

But Barbara’s story with the Red Cross doesn’t end with blood donation.

Years later, while living in Iowa, Barbara and her husband experienced another devastating event—a catastrophic house fire that destroyed their home and everything they owned. In the middle of that overwhelming night, when shock and uncertainty set in, Red Cross volunteers arrived.

They provided comfort kits and vouchers so Barbara and her husband could purchase clothing and essential items. A comfort kit may be small, but its impact is profound. Inside are basic personal care items—such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and tissues—but just as important is the emotional reassurance it represents: You are not alone.

Red Cross volunteers sat with Barbara and her husband, listening as they talked through what had happened, what was lost, and where they might be able to stay that night. Together, they began to form a plan for the days ahead.

Barbara remembers being struck by one simple but powerful thought: These people showed up for us in the middle of the night, when most of the world was asleep.

After rebuilding their lives, Barbara and her husband knew they wanted to give back in the same way they had been helped. They connected with their local Red Cross, completed the required training, and spent eight years volunteering with Red Cross Disaster Action Teams, responding to fires and other emergencies to help families facing their worst days.

Today, Barbara continues to support the Red Cross—through blood donation, advocacy and sharing her story—hoping others will see how one organization can make a difference at every stage of life, from hospital emergencies to disaster recovery.

Her message is simple: Whether you give blood, volunteer after disasters or support the mission in other ways, the Red Cross is always there—and it only works because people show up.