Media Contact: Logan Wright
(316) 477-0543 | logan.wright@redcross.org

[WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 10, 2025] – Susan Faler has dedicated over ten years to being an account manager for the American Red Cross. She organizes blood drives and meets with hundreds of people to facilitate donations and volunteering. She grew up in a family that donated blood, volunteered, and received Red Cross care overseas in the military. She even landed a photo in her yearbook of her babysitting at a blood drive.

When she was diagnosed with tongue cancer in March 2024, she turned again to the Red Cross.

“I always felt I was compassionate and understanding about who needs blood. But being on the receiving end of a blood transfusion put it into a whole new perspective of the impact this small act of kindness. Someone I don’t even know will never know how much it affected my life.”

Her first procedure, a glossectomy that removed part of her tongue, was performed in her hometown of Wichita. Eventually she required the removal of more than a third of her tongue, which was replaced by a graft from her forearm. Then she went through radiation and transfusions at a clinic in Houston. Throughout her treatment she received blood products that greatly improved her health and outlook.

Receiving blood products is actually very common –one in three people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime. Faler laughed at the turn of events that brought her to the other side of the procedure.

“When I found out I was getting a transfusion, I was so excited. The nurses were cracking up. I was saying, ‘Can I take a picture? Can I hold the bag?’ They said they had never had someone so happy to get a blood transfusion. I knew it would give me a spike in energy, ”Faler said.

Through everything she experienced, she knew donors would come through and keep giving. Her photo showed up in church bulletins and prayer requests. Support poured in from all over the region, covering drives in her territory to make sure the mission could continue. First responders and longtime blood drive organizers checked in on her progress.

“This is such a deep and unique experience for the team. We’re not just talking hypothetically, we’re talking about reality. It brings the mission to life,” said Michelle Stewart, Red Cross’ district manager of donor recruitment. “Her spirit is a beacon for our team. She helps me as a manager bring on new folks because we have the mission right here on our team, adding a layer of understanding within the Red Cross through Susan’s attitude of openness and sharing as she lives it.”

“I didn’t realize how many people are out there who are donating because they knew someone. The support is jaw dropping. Some of my friends donated blood and sent me a picture, saying ‘I’m thinking of you today. ’It was moving. People are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts,” said Faler.

Now in remission, Susan is back to her old rounds in her account territory, back in the rhythm and sharing her story with new and returning donors. When they call her a hero, she denies the title.

Instead, she says, “How can you be a lifesaving hero without year of college to be a doctor or the mentally and physically demanding training to be a first responder? You can donate blood.”