By Olivia Bayuk RN, American Red Cross Volunteer As I look out my window in Post Falls, Idaho, at the snow slowly piling up on trees and roadways, I realize, with a start, that we have once again reached that time of year -- the time of snow, sledding, decorations, presents, family, and travel. For many people, it is a joyous season, as they look forward to the colors, the music, the anticipation of Christmas morning, and the promise of visits from acquaintances old and new.
Harriet Bakken: Giving Back in More Ways Than One
Sometimes we stumble upon an unknown passion in an unexpected way. For Harriet Bakken, it just so happened that she found a passion for serving the Red Cross while at soccer practice.
Why I donate blood: DeFrance Clarke
Blood is a precious resource but has a limited shelf life. With blood donations slowing down during the holiday season, maintaining an adequate blood supply becomes even more critical in helping yield life-saving blood products for surgical procedures, traumatic injuries, and chronic illnesses.
How to Stay Safe and Prepared this Flu Season
It is that time of year. Pumpkins, hot chocolate, leaf raking, and the flu. As the weather gets colder and people head indoors, cases of influenza start to rise. The start of flu season varies every year. Typically, it starts around October, peaks between December and February, and starts to taper off toward spring.
A High School Experience Became the Catalyst for this Red Cross Phlebotomist’s Career
Daniel Lambson was motivated to become a phlebotomist “to help people…to save lives.” That motivation, in part, stemmed from a personal experience.
A sad goodbye to Red Cross icon Kevin Kopp
By Gordon Williams Responding to life-threatening disasters, as American Red Cross workers do, builds tightly-knit teams that come to resemble families. When a member of such a team dies, all team members feel a sense of wrenching loss. Red Cross workers throughout the Pacific Northwest are experiencing such a loss now, following the death of … Continue reading A sad goodbye to Red Cross icon Kevin Kopp
Why I donate blood: Kathleen Lappe
Kathleen Lappe's brother was only eight years old when he was diagnosed with a staph infection and as a result had to go undergo several major operations. This harrowing experience of watching her baby brother spend many weeks in the hospital to get blood transfusions became Kathleen's motivation to becoming a blood donor.
How a Devastating Disaster Changed the Trajectory of Amber Lee’s Life
Amber Lee’s desire to volunteer for the Red Cross was born out of tragedy. In 2014, an unstable hill collapsed in Oso, WA, creating a massive mudslide that caused 43 deaths. Two of them were Amber’s friends. Over the coming days, she realized the event would be the impetus for changing her life profoundly.
He’s driven over 60,000 miles. He’s volunteered countless hours. All for lifesaving deliveries.
“When you get to a hospital someplace at eleven o'clock at night” and the staff meets you at the front door to rush the blood you are transporting inside, it's “because someone in that hospital needs help now. So, there is a sense of doing something good for people.”
Protecting Your Health During Wildfire Season
This September we were once again greeted by a now familiar sight: brown, hazy air blocking the view of surrounding mountains and hills accompanied by the ever-present smell of smoke.
American Red Cross NW Region 