Julia Witherspoon is an aspiring neurosurgeon studying Bio-Med, focusing on Forensics and Medical Education. She is an active member of her high school’s Vocal Ensemble, which she calls one of her greatest passions, and is also a founder of the Red Cross Youth Club. Julia previously participated in the Pillowcase Project, a Red Cross initiative that teaches students in grades 3-5 how to stay safe and calm during an emergency, and knew she wanted to bring similar preparedness classes to her high school. She felt it was important that students be equipped with the necessary skills to handle emergencies at home or outside of school. In its first year, the club of more than 70 young Red Crossers hosted a CPR training class, a Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness Party with various disaster-related simulations, a bake sale to raise funds for the people of Ukraine and is planning a Pillowcase Project field trip to teach young kids preparedness skills. Julia hopes that the Red Cross Youth Club outlasts her four years in high school and continues to teach the next generation of students what to do and how to help each other stay safe during life’s emergencies.
How and when were you introduced to the Red Cross?
I was introduced to the Red Cross through my mother, Libby Witherspoon. She is the 2021-2022 Board Chair for The Greater Miami and The Keys Chapter and has been a long-standing Tiffany Circle member since 2007. I have been able to observe and participate in many Red Cross events and volunteer opportunities thanks to her support of the Red Cross.
How has volunteering impacted your life?
Volunteering has allowed me to see how many people and communities are in need of help. It has been a humbling experience to know there is so much that can be done for others.
What does the Red Cross mean to you?
The Red Cross is a family and network of volunteers who are all focused on the same goal, which is to support its mission by helping people during their darkest hours. Their steadfast support of volunteers is what makes the Red Cross a truly special organization.
Written by Stephanie Wesseling, American Red Cross Public Affairs