The American Red Cross Northern New England Region

by Dan Dowling – regional communications manager 

“This is about neighborhoods and about the community that I'm in. My donation is lifesaving.” 

Mark Wolf of Poultney, Vermont has spent his life giving himself to others, in his career, as a volunteer and as a blood donor. In his late teens, Mark signed up for first aid training through the Red Cross. Soon he put those lifesaving skills to work as a volunteer EMT with a local volunteer ambulance company.

There are many ways to give and share the gifts of a life. Few people are more aware of this than John Cohn and his family.  

To meet John is to be immediately surrounded by his warmth, positivity and easy nature. His love of life is obvious. Less obvious is the fact that he has first-hand knowledge of just how fragile life can be. 

In November 2006, John and his wife received a phone call that changed their lives completely. Their middle son,14-year-old Sam, had been on vacation in Florida with friends when a car struck him.