“Volunteering as a regional nurse with the American Red Cross Northwest Region has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career.

From planning events and supporting local teams to engaging with schools and helping recruit new members – every moment feels impactful. It’s an opportunity to offer care, reassurance, and guidance when people need it most — a role that’s both deeply humbling and immensely rewarding.”

Sheng Wei Wu

RN BSN | Nursing Network Member

By: Charvee Sharma, American Red Cross Volunteer

For Sam Wu, the journey into nursing began with a moment of crisis and a powerful realization.

“I had just graduated high school when my grandmother, who had been on dialysis for eight years, had a medical emergency at home,” Sam recalled.

Thankfully, she recovered, but it was a moment that changed everything for Sam.

“I promised myself I don’t want to be helpless again when someone I loved was in need,” he said.

Now a Registered Nurse at Harborview Medical Center, Sam brings that same drive and determination to his volunteer work with the American Red Cross Northwest Region.

“I’ve always been drawn to the Red Cross because of its mission to alleviate human suffering, regardless of a person’s background,” Sam said. “After a year at Harborview, I started looking for ways to get involved and found my current role as a Regional Nurse Member.”

In this role, Sam helps recruit and support health professional volunteers across the region, offering guidance on nursing and public health matters while strengthening the Red Cross health network.

Most recently, Sam has been working on a collaborative initiative to partner with nursing, mental health, and social work programs, which creates real-world learning opportunities for students and helps develop the Red Cross volunteer base.

One of Sam’s favorite memories so far as a Red Cross volunteer? A call with a new volunteer. 

“She told me about her background, her goals, and this research she was doing into unconventional survival strategies during natural disasters,” he said. “I found her innovative ideas of using unconventional methods for surviving natural disasters really fascinating—like using candles and a bowl of water for heat. It was so creative, and reminded me of how much we can learn from each other’s different approaches.”

For Sam, volunteering isn’t just an extension of nursing, but a reflection of shared values.

“At Harborview and through the American Red Cross, I help serve people who are often at their most vulnerable,” he said. “The alignment between those two missions is powerful and a reminder every day that this work matters.”