By: Michael Bowman, American Red Cross

Tom and and his wife Katrina Kluesner once enjoyed a peaceful life on a farm in Oran, Missouri.  Church-oriented and well-loved by their community, Tom worked as a project manager at SEMO Milling in nearby Scott City, and Katrina worked as principal of Guardian Angels school.  They have three children, a grandson, and another grandchild due in May. “We have a lot of good friends, good people around us, and we’re a big family,” said Katrina.  Unfortunately for the Kluesners, their peaceful life as they knew it was about to change.

In January 2025, Tom began feeling weak and developed a yellowish coloring. At first, he was diagnosed with bronchitis.  After a round of antibiotics, Tom’s condition did not improve. More tests ruled out pneumonia and heart disease.  Tom’s doctor then discovered his blood count was down to seven and suspected something serious. Tom met with an oncologist in St. Louis who performed a bone marrow biopsy. Two weeks later, the doctor confirmed her suspicions to the Kluesners.  Tom had leukemia.

“The diagnosis was truly devastating, said Katrina. “The moment she said leukemia, I literally fell apart and was crying.”  In this moment of shock and disbelief, Tom displayed his characteristic strength by reassuring his wife. “My husband puts his arm around me, and he's telling me it's going to be okay. And I'm like, look, I should be comforting you, not you comforting me.”

Shortly after his diagnosis, Tom began receiving treatment, including receiving two units of blood, which improved his coloring immediately.  However, he would need more blood and platelet treatments as his treatment progressed. 

That’s when the angels appeared.

Guardian Angel School organized a blood drive dedicated specifically to Tom.  Throughout the year, the school conducts three blood drives, averaging about 25 donations per drive—not bad for a small school of 74 students.  Once the community found out Tom needed life-saving blood, the school organized a blood drive resulting in 59 donations from family and friends throughout the community, many of whom were first-time donors. Katrina and Tom were in St. Louis visiting his doctor when they received news about the community’s efforts to help.

“It kind of brought us to tears, you know, to think that that many people came out in support,” said Katrina.  “Those people that give are true heroes. They just had to lay down and offer their arm to give that life-giving gift of blood.”

Since January 2025, Tom has received 70 units of blood and 54 units of platelets. But his need for blood continues during his battle with leukemia. While the Kluesner family is grateful to everyone who shared the life-sustaining gift of blood in support of Tom, he knows his story is just one of many. “I'm just one person,” said Tom. There are countless other people like Tom who need blood and platelets to get through each day.  Blood donations not only help those with cancer, traumatic injuries, sickle cell disease, and surgery patients, but they also make a difference to loved ones as well.

Tom Kluesner’s journey ahead is challenging but filled with hope thanks to the numerous blood donors who are making Tom’s battle with leukemia possible.  Many of those donors are family and friends, but most are unknown to Tom Kluesner. Regardless of who makes a blood donation, they are very special people to the Kluesner family.

"They (donors) are angels," said Katrina. "They are angels to every person receiving blood. They are angels to the ones who love the person needing blood. They didn't just save Tom’s life. They saved my family. My kids still have their dad, my grandson still has his paw paw. It's just been an overwhelming blessing. A very humbling blessing. Each moment of our life together is a gift, a gift from the angels who are donors."