Para Gabriela, su hija de 5 años y su hermano, era un día rutinario, hasta que dejó de serlo. “Estaba en el trabajo cuando mi hermano me llamó para que me apresurara a volver a casa porque nuestro edificio de apartamentos estaba en llamas y estábamos perdiendo todas nuestras cosas. Las horas y los días siguientes, mi cabeza estaba nublada y no podía entender qué tenía que hacer a continuación y cómo empezar de nuevo”.
Perder su casa en un incendio no es sólo la pérdida del lugar donde vive, su lugar de comodidad y seguridad, sino también la pérdida de tantas cosas de valor como fotografías, documentos, objetos preciados y la pérdida de la rutina conocida.
Gabriela recuerda: “Nunca en un millón de años imaginé la posibilidad de sufrir un incendio en mi hogar. Cuando veia cómo el edificio ardía en llamas, pensé: ‘Bueno, ¿y ahora qué? Estamos en la calle, sin hogar, ¿qué vamos a hacer? a donde vamos a ir ¿ Y lo más importante, ¿cómo iba a explicarle esta tremenda pérdida a mi hija que afortunadamente estaba en la guardería en ese momento? No sabía qué hacer a continuación y mucho menos pensar en las palabras que necesitaba usar para asegurarle que íbamos a estar bien”.
Durante las siguientes semanas después del incendio, Gabriela y algunos de sus vecinos encontraron refugio en un refugio de la Cruz Roja y Gabriela recuerda: “En el refugio, mi hija se aclimató muy bien gracias a los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja. Cada voluntario que conocimos nos trató con mucha amabilidad y compasión. A mi hija, los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja le proporcionaron juguetes de peluche y materiales para colorear, se tomaron el tiempo para sentarse con ella a dibujar y colgar sus obras de arte en el refugio. Mi hija entendió que lo habíamos perdido todo, pero el cuidado y la amabilidad de los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja lograron que ella no sintiera la pérdida tan inmensamente. Por eso, estoy eternamente agradecido”.
“No puedo decirlo de otra manera: los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja fueron ángeles que en cuestión de horas reemplazaron los medicamentos de mi hija y localizaron un lugar seguro para que nos quedáramos, luego durante días nos cuidaron las 24 horas del día y se aseguraron de que estábamos bien”.
Los voluntarios son el alma de la Cruz Roja y representan el 90% de la fuerza laboral. Después de un incendio doméstico, los voluntarios de la Cruz Roja trabajan con los departamentos de bomberos locales para conectarse con las familias impactadas para brindarles servicios como alojamiento de emergencia, asistencia financiera y apoyo emocional.
“Mientras estaba afuera del edificio en llamas, sin saber a quién llamar para pedir ayuda, apareció la Cruz Roja. Gracias a la Cruz Roja, tuvimos refugio seguro, comidas, asistencia financiera, atención espiritual, asistencia para la recuperación, servicios de salud y mucho más. Con su apoyo, pude aclarar mi mente y ponerme a trabajar en la recuperación para poder hacer que mi familia volviera a la rutina que conocíamos”.
La Cruz Roja responde a 60.000 desastres al año, y la gran mayoría de ellos son incendios domésticos. A través de desastres grandes y pequeños, los voluntarios están listos para responder al llamado de ayuda para proporcionar alimentos, refugio, suministros de socorro, consuelo, planificación de recuperación y otra asistencia para ayudar a las personas en su momento de mayor necesidad.
“Las palabras más dulces de mi hija cuando nos mudamos a nuestro nuevo apartamento: ‘¡Tenemos un hogar otra vez!’ Un nuevo hogar, un nuevo comienzo, todo gracias a La Cruz Roja. Ahora hago una donación a la Cruz Roja porque sé lo que significa que alguien aparezca después de una pérdida devastadora y le den la mano a uno. Mi deseo es que otros también contribuyan porque cada poquito hace una diferencia muy significativa durante uno de los momentos mas obscuros de la vida”.
For Gabriela, her 5-year-old daughter, and brother, it was a routine day – until it wasn’t. “I was at work when my brother called me to hurry home because our apartment building was on fire, and we were losing all our things. The hours and days after, my head was cloudy, and I couldn’t grasp what I needed to do next and how to get started.”
Losing your home in a fire is not only the loss of the place where you live, your place of comfort and safety, but it’s also the loss of so many things of value such as photos, documents, treasured objects, and the loss of the routine you knew.
Gabriela recalls, “Never in a million years did I ever imagine the possibility of experiencing a home fire. When I stood there and watched the building going up in flames, I thought to myself, ‘Well – now what? We’re on the street, with no home — what are we going to do? Where are we going to go? And most importantly, how was I going to explain this tremendous loss to my daughter who thankfully was in daycare at that time. I didn’t know what to do next much less think of the words I needed to use to reassure her that we were going to be okay.”
For the next couple of weeks following the fire, Gabriela and some of her neighbors found refuge at a Red Cross shelter and Gabriela remembers, “At the shelter, my daughter acclimated so well because of the Red Cross volunteers. Every volunteer we met treated us with so much kindness and compassion. To my daughter, Red Cross volunteers provided stuffed animals and coloring supplies, they took time to sit down with her to draw and hang up her artwork around the shelter. My daughter understood we had lost everything, but the care and kindness of the Red Cross volunteers made it so that she didn’t feel the loss too immensely. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”
“I can’t say it any other way – the Red Cross volunteers were angels who in a matter of hours replaced my daughter’s medications and located a safe place for us to stay, then for days watched over us 24 hours a day and made sure we were okay.”
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Red Cross and comprise 90% of the workforce. After a home fire, Red Cross volunteers work with local fire departments to connect with families for needs like emergency lodging, financial assistance and emotional support.
“As I stood outside of the burning building, not knowing who to call for help, the Red Cross showed up to lend a hand. Because of the Red Cross, we had safe shelter, meals, financial assistance, spiritual care, recovery assistance, health services, and so much more. With their guidance, I was able to clear my head and get to work with recovery so I could get my family back to the routine we knew.”
The Red Cross responds to 60,000 disasters a year — and the vast majority of these are home fires. Through disasters big and small, volunteers stand ready to answer the call for help to provide food, shelter, relief supplies, comfort, recovery planning and other assistance to help people in their time of greatest need.
“The sweetest words from my daughter when we moved into our new apartment, ‘We have a home again!’ A new home, a new start, all because of the guidance of the patient and generous Red Cross volunteers. I donate to the Red Cross now because I know what it means to have someone show up after a devastating loss. My wish is that others chip in too because every little bit makes such a significant difference during one of the worst moments in one’s life.”
Learn how you can volunteer or donate at redcross.org.
The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago announces the 2024 class of heroes to be honored at the annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast. The class of Red Cross Heroes are an exemplary group of individuals who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to build better communities, and who have made a lasting impact on others in the process.
The Heroes Breakfast was established to raise public awareness of local heroes who exemplify the values of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. Since 2002, the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago has celebrated more than two hundred extraordinary individuals who have made a personal commitment to creating safer and stronger communities and providing help when disaster strikes.
This is the 22nd year the Red Cross is honoring a class of heroes at our Heroes Breakfast, attended by hundreds of individuals from across Chicagoland. This year’s event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m. at the Hilton Chicago. Over the past 22 years, through the generosity of the corporate and individual donor community, the annual Chicago Heroes Breakfast has raised millions of dollars for the humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross.
“For the past 22 years, community heroes have graced our breakfast— each dedicated to serving others, saving lives, and providing hope during someone’s darkest moments. I am honored to relay the humanitarian stories of generosity and compassion from each hero and to reflect on the power of the Red Cross mission,” said Celena Roldán Sarillo, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Illinois.
The 2024 Class of Heroes
Heroes in twelve community service categories are being honored this year. Honorees were chosen by an independent committee of leaders in the business and civic community. The Red Cross pays tribute to the 2024 class of heroes through their stories of inspiration outlined below:
Chez Smith of Chicago Heights and Venisha Bonds of Dolton are the Blood Services Heroes.
Gyrls in the H.O.O.D, a Chicago-based non-profit is dedicated to empowering young women with a “Healthy, Optimistic, Outstanding, and Determined” foundation. Led by Chez Smith and Venisha Bonds, the organization launched a free phlebotomy training program to help address workforce challenges faced by women. Recognizing the financial struggles of many of the participants, the organization covered the cost of tuition, books, medical scrubs, and the state exam. With several certified students, Gyrls in the H.O.O.D is helping supply skilled phlebotomists to aid in a crucial field.
Jacqueline Reed of Chicago is theDisaster Relief Hero.
As a longtime Austin resident and community advocate, Jacqueline Reed spearheaded relief efforts in the aftermath of record-breaking floods that devastated the neighborhood in July 2023. As the chair of the Westside Long Term Recovery Group, Reed mobilized resources and volunteers, which have since helped about 75 homes become habitable. Reed’s dedication highlights her lifelong commitment in Austin to building community resilience and supporting those in need.
Steve and Sheila Conner of Oak Park are the Education Heroes.
Steve and Sheila Conner, motivated by their son Stone’s disinterest in traditional math and science education, launched the HEPH Foundation in 2014 to revolutionize STEM learning. Utilizing innovative approaches to learning, such as gaming, sports, and music, the foundation’s materials engage students and foster a lifelong passion for science and technology. Through tailored programs and partnerships with schools in the Chicagoland area and beyond, the Conners have engaged about 20,000 learners in STEM via the program they designed.
Patty Samar of Chicago is the Healthcare Hero.
Patty Samar worked at Rush Medical Center as an apheresis nurse when she met Kirk, a dialysis patient. Samar befriended Kirk and when she learned that his donated kidney was failing, she helped launch a search campaign to find a live donor. Samar also decided to get tested and when she learned she was a match for Kirk’s kidney donation, Samar did not hesitate to give Kirk the lifesaving gift of one of her kidneys.
Nicholas DeLeon of Chicago is theFirefighter Hero.
On July 13, 2023, Firefighter/Paramedic Nicholas DeLeon was on duty at the fire station and was assigned to cook for his colleagues when he realized he needed additional groceries for that evening’s dinner. While at the grocery store, DeLeon encountered an active shooter situation and quickly dialed 9-1-1 for help after which he searched for fellow shoppers to usher them out safely and attend to anyone injured by the shooter.
Nancy Economouof Downers Grove is theGlobal Citizenship Hero.
As the founder of Watts of Love, Nancy Economou works to provide sustainable solar lighting solutions to communities in need across the globe. After witnessing the dangerous effects of families using kerosene for illumination in the Philippines, she designed a solar light to aid these communities and also to help promote financial literacy, by enabling families to save funds previously spent on kerosene or batteries for entrepreneurship and education, Watts of Love empowers recipients via solar power and also helps them achieve additional financial freedom.
Angela Thompsonof Chicago is theCommunity Impact Hero.
Angela Thompson is a devoted Chicago Public School Safety Crossing Guard, stationed on a busy southside corner, who not only impacts the lives of children daily with her kindness and care on the job, but also through her cherished annual holiday toy drive. Over the past 14 years, Angela has organized this heartwarming initiative, initially single-handedly and now with support from her community. Since 2009, her efforts have reached 3,000 families in the Chicagoland area, highlighting her remarkable commitment to spread love and joy to children.
Kenneth Griffinof Chicago is theLaw Enforcement Hero.
Kenneth Griffin, a Chicago Police Youth Officer, founded the non-profit ’No Matter What’ in 2015 with a mission to invest in and support youth to reach their highest potential despite obstacles. Through mentorship, financial literacy, career readiness training, travel and mental health, Griffin works to connect youth to opportunities outside of their neighborhood and simultaneously help them discover the potential within themselves.
Daniel Viayra Chavez of Aurora and Josh Elrodof Sandwich are theLifesaving Rescue Heroes.
On September 19, 2023, Daniel Viayra Chavez and Josh Elrod, water department employees with the City of Aurora, were doing routine maintenance work on an Aurora neighborhood sewer when they heard cries for ’ayuda’ (help). Both Viayra Chavez and Elrod ran and found an Aurora resident holding an unresponsive one-year-old who was not breathing. Viayra Chavez immediately began performing CPR while Elrod phoned 9-1-1 for help, their efforts helped the child to begin to breathe.
Fred Williams, Jr. of Waukegan is theMilitary Hero.
Fred Williams, Jr., a veteran of the United States Air Force, serves as the Member Services Manager at the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), where he has mentored and guided approximately 1,000+ youth aged 16 to 24. YCC members, through coaching and mentorship, complete their high school degree and receive training in skilled trades or IT. Inspired by his military background, Fred instills belief and support in the program’s members, emphasizing their potential for success.
Matt DeMateo of Chicago is the Social Justice Hero.
Matt DeMateo, Executive Director at New Life Centers, an arm of New Life Community Church, provides youth programs covering mentorship, education, sports, peace-making, and community care to over 1,700 people each year. Since May 2023, New Life Centers via Matt’s leadership are also a major part of the support and response efforts assisting the recently arrived migrants, by caring for those in shelters and helping over 1,400 families move into permanent housing.
Declan Devlin, Tiernan Devlin, Tommy Nitti, and Charlie Valeroof Glen Ellyn are theYouth Heroes.
On a Saturday evening, shortly after school had let out for the summer, classmates and friends Declan and Tiernan Devlin, Tommy Nitti, and Charlie Valero, initially jumped into action to retrieve a wayward remote-control boat in the middle of Lake Ellyn. On their way to the middle of the lake, with their paddle board and life jackets, they soon realized they needed to also pull a drowning man to safety instead.
2024 Heritage Award In addition to recognizing the exemplary 2024 Class of Heroes, the Red Cross of Greater Chicago will present the prestigious Heritage Award. The Heritage Award is given annually to a civic leader who exemplifies the spirit of heroism and humanitarianism at a distinguished level and demonstrates a long-term commitment to improving the lives of others. The awardee’s actions, deeds, and philanthropic works illustrate the spirit of humanitarianism and echo our mission: to help others prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
TheRed Cross is proud to bestow Brett Hart, President of United Airlines with the 2024 Heritage Award. In his role, Hart is responsible for United’s global operations – flight, technical and network operations, inflight services, and safety, and he leads the company’s external-facing functions including government affairs, regulatory, corporate communications, advertising, market and community innovation, legal, global community engagement, environmental sustainability teams, and more. Hart is renowned for the incredible impact he has had on the more than 90,000 employees of United, its customers and our community, through the many programs and initiatives he has guided and influenced.
Champion Sponsors: CDW, ITW, Kirkland & Ellis; Inspiring Action Sponsors: Edwardson Family Foundation, Make It Better Foundation; Hero Sponsors: Aon, William Blair, CNA, Fresenius Kabi, KPMG LLP, Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Nicor Gas, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., United Airlines, Wintrust; Interactive Technology Sponsors: Elevance Health, Patrick M. and Jennifer Gallagher, Stepan Company; Media Sponsors: CBS 2 Chicago, Make It Better Foundation
VISUALS: Red Cross Heroes headshots may be accessed here.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Dan Janowick has been familiar with blood donation for most of his life. Growing up, his mom was a nurse and organized the blood drives at their church for about 15 years.
“I would always hear my mom in the kitchen making phone calls because that’s how it was done back in the 90s,” Dan said. “She would get on the phone and rally everybody who’s given in the past and try to rally their friends, too.”
Dan said he gave blood a few times in high school, but never became a consistent blood donor. That changed once a member of his family started needing blood transfusions. His son, Will, was born with a rare liver condition, and had multiple transfusions due to complications with the condition over the first 12 years of his life.
“His condition has the potential to cause internal bleeding,” Dan said. “There were times where he was so pale, and we would need to take him into the emergency room to get an immediate blood transfusion.”
Fortunately, Will received a liver transplant in October of 2022 and has been doing great since. Dan’s grateful for the relatively smooth path his family has had considering the chronic illness they’ve had to navigate and recognizes how great of an impact blood donation has been.
“We’ve seen first-hand what a blood transfusion can do to a young person,” Dan said. “Saying that donating blood saves lives is not just a cliche, it really does.”
Dan was inspired to give back by donating blood more regularly himself. He has also started hosting blood drives three times a year at The Community House, an organization focused on community-based programming in Hinsdale where he currently serves as the executive director.
“I’m glad I’m able to pay it forward by donating blood and by hosting drives at The Community House, we’re giving others the opportunity to do the same thing,” Dan said. “It also is a way for me to honor all the work my mom did in her community to get people to donate.”
Dan is grateful for all the people that donated blood products so that he did not have to worry whether it would be available for Will and encourages anyone that is able to donate blood to give it a try.
“That selfless giving really has made a difference in saving Will’s life,” Dan said. “It’s something that I’m just eternally grateful for.”
Only 3% of the eligible population donates blood. If you would like to help others who need blood, you can make an appointment today. Visit redcrossblood.org, call 800-RED-CROSS or use the free Red Cross Blood Donor App to sign up at a location near you.
Written by Illinois Communications Manager Mara Thompson
After countless responses to a variety of disasters over nearly two decades of service to her community and those in need, Disaster Program Manager Jamie Beaver has announced her retirement from the American Red Cross.
Jamie began working with the Red Cross in 2004, originally covering one county and helping support many lines of service including Disaster, Health and Safety, S.A.F. and Blood Services.
“You used to just do all lines or service and handle everything,” Jamie said. “When you went out to a fire call, it used to all be done on paper. I used to go out to the scene, interview the family, give them money, do the review and really do everything.”
Before joining the Red Cross, Jamie already had a background working in the disaster field as she volunteered for and was eventually hired to work with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
Through her work with IEMA, Jamie saw the work that the Red Cross performs during a disaster and eventually was offered a position to join the organization.
Over her years with the Red Cross, Jamie stated that she has seen the disaster process grow to become much more efficient in how cases are handled.
“Now it’s so much better,” Jamie said. “We have teams. We have a sheltering team and others where if you start to get overwhelmed, you call and the team kicks. There has been so many changes.”
While Jamie’s focus quickly was homed in on disaster work, her responsibilities continued to grow as she saw her coverage area grow to four counties, then seven and eventually 31 in the South Central Illinois Chapter.
In her disaster work, Jamie believes that one of her biggest strengths has been her willingness and ability to work with other organizations and partners throughout the community.
This cooperation was recognized by her peers when she was awarded the Collaboration Award during the annual Five C’s Awards.
“I think I just fell into a really good rhythm and established those relationships,” Jamie said. “These people have become my friends, and I just didn’t want to do anything else besides disaster. I never felt the pull to do anything else.”
Her familiarity in the disaster field also helped Jamie work alongside many dedicated volunteers, many whom she considers dear friends of hers.
“This is a volunteer-led organization, we work for you guys, we work for the volunteers,” Jamie said. “I love my volunteers.”
Jamie detailed one interaction with volunteers that has always stuck with her after she went to California a few years ago to assist in the wildfires.
She was placed in a group of volunteers responsible for driving around a 16-foot box truck loaded with supplies to community centers so they could help serve those in need.
On the third day of their assignment, Jamie said that one of members of her group came up to her and said, “So I hear that you are staff, is that true?”
Jamie answered yes and was asked why she didn’t tell them. “Well, does it make a difference?” she asked.
“I was in the role I am in today as a manager and they said ‘Well, I guess not,’” Jamie said. “That was probably the biggest compliment I think I’ve ever had because so many people can go on a scene and start bossing around because they are staff; but that’s not how it’s done.”
As she prepares for the next phase of her life, Jamie said that she will miss her relationships the most, whether it be coworkers, volunteers, community leaders or anyone else she has had the pleasure of working with over the years.
As much as she will miss those that she has worked with, there is no doubt that the Illinois Red Cross will also miss Jamie as we wish her the best in whatever lies ahead.
Written by Illinois Communications Manager Jayce Eustice
Laura Smith of Mount Carroll, Illinois, recently hit a significant blood donor milestone. At the Savanna Community Blood Drive in February, Laura made her 100th donation.
While this is an exciting achievement on its own, it was extra special for Laura, who set this goal for herself 17 years ago after her dad was diagnosed with Leukemia.
“I’m really glad that I made this goal for myself to get to 100 times of giving blood,” Laura said. “What is so nice about it is I thought that when he found out he had leukemia 17 years ago, I would be doing it in his memory, but that’s not the case.”
Laura’s father, Don, has always been a huge advocate for donating blood and was alerted that he should go to the doctor after trying to give blood like he regularly did 17 years ago, but flags were raised when they tested his blood.
“As an American and as a citizen, my dad believes you should vote and you should give blood,” Laura said. “So that was just kind of his philosophy, and he would be a lifelong donor if he could, but I feel lucky I can continue to donate in his honor.”
Now Don is healthy and cancer-free at 85 years old. Laura is happy she met her goal, and she can share her accomplishment with her dad.
“I think that’s fantastic,” Laura’s Father, Don Mall said. “I gave 74 times and I was planning to go to 100 and beyond, but I had to stop once I got cancer.”
“I was just ecstatic because I truly didn’t think that I would be able to do it in my father’s lifetime,” Laura said. “For me, it was just a great feeling, and it was an accomplishment that’s very personal for me.”
Beyond being proud of achieving her goal during her father’s life, Laura is also proud of the lifesaving work she is doing by donating blood.
“I’ve never had a bad experience giving blood,” Laura said. “Just to know that I can help someone, a complete stranger, just by taking an hour out of my day, is worth it for me to make donating blood a priority.”
Thank you, Laura, for your dedication to being a blood donor and part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood, all from generous blood donors. But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of eligible people donate blood each year.
Help us meet patients’ needs. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to secure a blood donation appointment near you.
Written by Illinois Communications Manager Mara Thompson
Jason is a 0- blood type donor whose dedication to being a donor was born by the desire to be part of the solution knowing that his blood type is the most often requested by hospitals.
“I can’t wrap my arms around why more people don’t donate blood. It is something so simple and painless and the number of lives you can save in just one year is humbling. Imagine the difference you made in that person’s life and their family. I donate blood to help those that need it,” shared Jason.
Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries and it all starts with one person making a generous donation.
“Don’t wait to have the need happen to you to realize the importance of having donated blood available.”
Thank you, Jason, for your dedication to being a blood donor and part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross. We look forward to welcoming you at many blood drives to come!
The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and all from generous blood donors. But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood each year.
Help us meet patient needs. Visit RedCrossBlood.org to secure a blood donation appointment near you.
Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza
A decade ago, Robyn Tutt didn’t know much about the American Red Cross or how important blood donations can be to patients in need.
In the ten years since becoming a phlebotomist, she has grown to become an advocate for blood donations, a heartfelt spokesperson for those fighting sickle cell disease and has found the profession she plans to do until the day she retires.
Tutt’s best friend first signed her up for an interview with the Red Cross in 2014; initially against her wishes as she was afraid of needles, let alone collecting blood donations.
“When I got into it, I was nervous and I was scared, but it was very interesting.” Tutt said. “I learned why people donate, what the reasons were and just how important blood was. It was something I never knew because it was something that I always shied away from.”
Tutt credited the diligent work of her trainers for taking her through everything she needed to learn to officially become a phlebotomist while answering the many questions she had along the way.
Shortly after her first poke, Tutt began to learn about how important blood donations are to the treatment of those battling diseases, involved in trauma and much more.
“I started reading up on it and I found out that many can’t survive without this, they just truly can’t,” Tutt said.
This newfound realization then hit home for Tutt as her mother was diagnosed with cancer and received many blood transfusions alongside her chemo and radiation treatments.
“I saw firsthand how important it was for her to receive those transfusions,” Tutt said. “That’s when I decided to make that my life mission, to make sure that blood was on hand.”
“There were a lot of times when they didn’t have enough blood and they would call and tell my mom that she couldn’t come in today because they didn’t have enough blood, but she could come in tomorrow.”
It was while going to her mother’s appointments that Tutt was first introduced to people battling sickle cell disease. She would meet and talk to parents and kids with the inherited red blood disorder while visiting the hospital.
Through these interactions and her own research, Tutt learned how the painful disease can impact the lives of families.
It’s estimated that around 100,000 Americans, mostly Black or African American, have sickle cell disease. People with the disease may receive as many as 100 units of blood each year as part of their treatment.
Blood needed to treat the disease must contain specific antigens that are primarily found in the blood of the Black or African American community.
“They were suffering as bad as they were because they needed blood, and we didn’t have it on hand,” Tutt said. “It’s because a lot of people in my culture don’t donate. I wanted to tell people how important it was for us to do it because our culture wasn’t giving enough blood for our kids.”
Tutt then began working with the American Red Cross to organize Sick Cell Drives to encourage members of her community and culture to donate blood to those in need, especially those battling sickle cell.
She worked with her local community groups to host drives and began spreading important information about how donations can help those around her to family, friends and everyone in her community that would listen.
As she now prepares for her fourth drive in March, she has seen growth from each drive she hosts and has been encouraged to see members of her culture roll up their sleeves to help others.
“It’s very important for me to keep doing this because I love it,” Tutt said. “I love this job because every time I see a person come in this door, I know that they are helping save lives. They are old, young, and middle-aged and they want to help.”
While advocating for blood donations began as something that Tutt did for a profession, it continued to become more of a life that she lives after her daughter was diagnosed with colon cancer and was given until April to live
“I was there with her for about three months and my baby had to have a transfusion every other day,” Tutt said. “Every other day she had to get that transfusion because she can’t take the chemo without it. I’m there looking at this bag of blood going into my kid and thinking that if these people don’t come out and donate, she wouldn’t have access to this.”
Tutt became grateful for the blood her daughter received from strangers throughout the country. Inspired by this generosity, Tutt hopes to continue encouraging everyone she meets to donate blood and help others when they can.
“It can hit home at any time,” Tutt said. “This is such an important thing to do for me. My heart goes out to everyone that walks through the door because I know how important it is.”
From being afraid of needles and shying away from blood drives, Tutt has since grown to be a true blood donor advocate who strives to help those in her community and beyond. And in her own words she has found her true calling.
“I’m going to do this for the rest of my life,” Tutt said. “I think this is what I was supposed to do. You meet so many people from so many different walks of life and we all bleed the same color. You don’t see color; you just see that this is going to help sustain somebody’s life.”
On the cusp of finishing high school and moving on to Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Madeleine Yoon is hoping the legacy she started at her high school lives on for years to come.
“My sister and I started a Red Cross Club at our high school to make friends and to create a space where like-minded students could come together to do volunteer work for the good of the community and beyond. My hope is that participants see how their work impacts the Red Cross mission and endeavor to keep the club going long after I’ve graduated,” shared Madeleine.
In addition to leading the Red Cross Club at Barrington High School, Madeleine is a Field Ambassador for the Red Cross. Field Ambassadors like Madeleine serve as liaisons between their local region and the National Youth Council, promoting monthly national initiatives and working closely with local chapters and clubs to develop youth programs customized to meet the needs of the region.
“Serving as a Field Ambassador has been a memorable experience. Having the opportunity to meet and work with other motivated and determined Red Cross volunteers in my age group with similar values and connections to the mission has been really inspiring. As I move on to my college years, my commitment to the Red Cross and public service are top goals for me.”
The Red Cross Club of Barrington High School
Over the years, Madeleine, along with her fellow Red Cross Club members, has worked to raise funds to help the Red Cross prepare and respond to disasters across the region and support impacted communities to recover from emergencies. What started as a desire to meet fellow classmates grew in vision and desire to impact the mission of the Red Cross.
“We are so grateful to Madeleine, and all of our Red Cross Club members in the Illinois Region! They raise awareness of the Red Cross mission every day in their schools and communities, and they embody the true spirit of volunteerism,” shared Virginia Hopley, Volunteer Services Representative with the Illinois Red Cross.
Madeleine, thank you for your commitment to the humanitarian mission and inspiring your fellow classmates to support the Red Cross. We hope to see your name on the Red Cross volunteer roster for many more years!
Are you a high school or college student interested in starting a Red Cross Club at your school? Along with training and leadership development opportunities, you can choose mission-related activities in your community, while delivering lifesaving services of the Red Cross. Click here to learn more https://www.redcross.org/red-cross-youth/red-cross-clubs/starting-a-red-cross-club.html
Written by Illinois Communications Manager Connie Esparza
In the early hours of January 19th, Ashley Metcalfe and her family experienced a nightmare that no one should endure – a home fire that left them without their possessions and a place to call home.
As Ashley recalled the events of that morning, the smell of smoke jolted her awake around 4 a.m. and panic set in as she rushed through the apartment, searching for the source. The next thing she knew, the Chicago Fire Department was banging on her door telling her to evacuate.
“It’s 10 degrees out, it’s the crack of dawn, and there are 8 to 10 fire trucks blocking the entire road,” Ashley said. “There were about 40 firemen outside, and 10 police officers, I couldn’t believe it.”
Luckily, Ashley’s three children were staying the night with her sister, but she and her partner Arnold stood outside with the other neighbors watching the firefighters battle the flames that had started in the apartment next to hers. Eventually after several hours of working to put out the blaze, Ashley and Arnold were allowed back into their unit, only to find it submerged in several feet of water.
“Once we get back inside our unit, being the basement unit, it is flooded in about five or six feet of water,” Ashley said. “Everything we have, appliances, TVs, mattresses, our bed frames, clothes, every single thing we owned, we lost it all. Everything was gone.”
The aftermath left Ashley’s family grappling with the emotional and financial toll of their losses. They reached out to multiple emergency services seeking assistance.
“We were going through a really tough time and everything we worked for washed away, literally,” Ashley said. “It didn’t seem like we were getting the assistance we needed at that point. We were stressed mentally, stressed financially, stressed spiritually, you know especially on the kids, they literally cried because they missed their toys.”
As that first evening approached, they were starting to lose hope until they connected with the Red Cross of Illinois. Volunteers helped secure the family a hotel room for the night, but that was only the first step of the organization’s assistance. Ashley said the Red Cross helped with essential needs such as gas for their car, a security deposit for their temporary apartment, and even uniforms for her children so they could dress for school properly.
“You don’t know how impactful even that was because when it felt like the world was caving in, it was only the Red Cross that helped us,” Ashley said. “We are more than grateful; we owe the Red Cross more than our lives.”
The family is hoping to get back into their original apartment once updates from the water damage are complete. As they work towards recovery, Ashley is just grateful to have her family by her side and that the Red Cross was there to help when she didn’t know where else to turn in the immediate aftermath.
“The Red Cross services are amazing, I don’t know where we would actually be without them,” Ashley said.
Volunteers play a crucial role in addressing an average of 65,000 disasters annually, with the majority being home and apartment fires. If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by fires and other disasters, visit redcross.org/volunteer.
American Red Cross of Illinois 