Celebrating Black History Month: Employee Spotlight on Tia Jackson

Tia Jackson is a business operations specialist and started working for us as an executive assistant in 2016. In her current role, she manages operations at American Red Cross facilities in Peoria, Bloomington, Springfield and Decatur and she is responsible for making sure facility needs are met.

“I like being able to help the Red Cross and people who are working in the buildings and it makes me feel good when someone tells me a facility is clean and in good condition,” she said.

Part of Tia’s role is recruiting, training and working with volunteers. She is quick to compliment them for being great partners in what she does on a daily basis.

“Volunteers are very helpful to me, because they can be my eyes and ears in the buildings when things need to be fixed. It’s satisfying when volunteers feel they can come to me and talk about any issues they’re having and talk about their accomplishments. It’s great when the team and I can get together and work through things and talk about fun things, too,” she said.

Five years after starting here, Tia says she enjoys her role and is looking forward to what the future holds.

“Business Operations is a great team and it’s amazing working for the Red Cross,” she said.

Tia lives in the Peoria area with her family and loves to travel. Her favorite travel memory is from a trip to Mexico, when her husband proposed to her.

You might find Tia wearing green and gold, because she is an avid Green Bay Packers fan – a team she roots for in honor of her uncle, who was a lifelong fan.

Thank you, Tia for all you do!

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen

Celebrating Black History Month: Employee Spotlight on Tommy Nevitt

“It’s a very important job and there’s some very important stuff in these boxes.”

– Tommy Nevitt, American Red Cross Biomedical Services Employee

Tommy Nevitt is originally from Mississippi but came to Chicago in 1979. After working various different jobs, he found a great fit at the American Red Cross as a Blood Services Transportation Specialist; basically the driver who makes sure blood products get where they need to go.

Tommy has been with the Red Cross for over 11 years now and has developed good relationships with the hospitals in his comings and goings. He says they’re usually happy to see him and in a single 8 hour shift he may visit up to 10 hospitals.

Being a biomedical driver means being organized, efficient and flexible while representing the Red Cross. Blood is vital for so many things: surgeries, therapies, cancer treatments and more, and being a part of the process comes with responsibility and respect. Drivers like Tommy work alongside a team of volunteer drivers to deliver blood products in large boxes to hospital blood banks regularly as the need for blood is constant.

“It kind of makes you feel important, and when people see you they show you a lot of respect. Makes you feel like you’re really doing something special.”

– Tommy Nevitt

Between deliveries Tommy says the driving gives him a chance to think and stay clear-headed. He says its a good job for people who like to drive and can focus on something.

As the Red Cross celebrates men and women of color who contribute to our humanitarian service, we’re proud to recognize Tommy and his many years of service to the Red Cross and our mission.

“I back that up 100% and have respect for the Red Cross for celebrating all we’re representing. It’s a very important job and there’s some very important stuff in these boxes”

– Tommy Nevitt

As a Transportation Specialist volunteer, you will be the critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood, platelets or other blood products to a hospital.

Click here to apply to be a volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Holly Baker

Celebrating Black History Month: Employee Spotlight on Darren Thompson

Darren Thompson has worked for the American Red Cross of Illinois for 25 years.

Darren’s brother gave him the inspiration to start working for the organization in 1996; he worked for the Red Cross and sparked Darren’s interest in coming on board. Darren started as a technician and, most recently, has been a manufacturing supervisor for the past 17 years. He enjoys being a part of the mission of the Red Cross and has played a big role in the impact Blood Services has made on the community, specifically Peoria and the Central Illinois Chapter.

Darren oversees a team of three staff members and six drivers on his shift and credits his time working in other roles for the effectiveness he is able to have as a supervisor. “Coming from the floor, you have seen every aspect of the job, so that helps a lot,” he said.

The Red Cross provides hospitals with lifesaving blood products 24 hours a day, 365 days a year including: red blood cells, platelets, plasma, whole blood and blood products for research. Darren oversees the distribution of blood products on a daily basis. There can be a fluctuation in the amount of these products coming through his area and the COVID-19 pandemic has made a significant impact on that supply. As Darren says, “We go as the inventory goes.”

Darren and his team inspect the products as they come through their area and make sure they are packed and delivered in a timely fashion to hospitals who need them. It is a job Darren loves and one that gives him a great sense of satisfaction.

“I’ve seen it so many times, where we have products that need to get to people – lifesaving products. You just feel like you’re making some kind of difference. I always visualize myself being at that hospital and needing these products, so it kind of helps you understand the importance of making sure customers get what they need.”

In his spare time, Darren is a deacon at his church, volunteers his time and loves to go fishing. You might find him reeling in a catfish if you are ever at a lake in the Peoria area.

Thank you, Darren for 25 years of service to the Red Cross and for all you have done and continue to do to make a difference!

The American Red Cross continues to face a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments. During this blood crisis, the Red Cross asks the country to roll up a sleeve to help ensure people in their communities receive the care they need. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Written by Illinois Region Communications Manager Brian Williamsen