Fort Knox blood drives bring soldiers and local community together

 By Kevin Sandell, American Red Cross volunteer

U.S. Army ROTC cadets pose with their gauze-wrapped arms after donating blood during a 2023 blood drive at Fort Knox.
Fort Knox hosts over 4,500 cadets each summer as part of Cadet Summer Training.

The American Red Cross bloodmobile is a familiar sight at Fort Knox, the large U.S. Army post south of Louisville and home to nearly 7,500 service members and their families. Blood drives are such popular events at on base, that two were scheduled in the same week with the bloodmobile at one location and a stationary blood drive at another.

“We normally can schedule 36 people in a day,” said Sgt. 1st Class John Lamanna, a medical noncommissioned officer at U.S. Army Human Resources Command. He often coordinates the blood drive and is happy with the community turn out, saying, “Since I have been here, we have maxed that number.”

As part of their regular training for combat, U.S. service members constantly train for medical emergencies, and blood donations are critical to saving patients’ lives. The blood drives on post, however, allow Fort Knox soldiers, families, and other community members to “help people in our own backyard,” Lamanna said. 

For Tammy Ritchie, Account Manager for the American Red Cross Kentucky Region, the blood drives on Fort Knox demonstrate the selfless service of those assigned there. Blood drives are “an act of kindness that impacts more than [service members and their families] know,” Ritchie said. 

Ritchie’s role is coordinating the logistical and administrative aspects of blood drives with organizations that host blood drives throughout Kentucky and providing them with marketing materials to promote their drives. The American Red Cross relies on organizations, businesses, schools, and other locations to host blood drives at locations that make it easy for people to donate blood. 

“Tammy makes the process to coordinate our blood drives very easy,” Lamanna said. “She supplies the personnel and equipment. We provide physical access to sites and approve her dates. We both work to advertise [on Fort Knox]. And things run smoothly from there.”

Bloodmobile parked in front of U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Jan. 11.
Fort Knox frequently hosts blood drives supporting the American Red Cross. 

Army Master Sgt. Heather Denby, a senior noncommissioned officer at U.S. Army Human Resources Command, donated blood on the bloodmobile during her lunch break. Although she described being uneasy in medical settings, she said, “the Red Cross [staff] always makes me feel at ease.” She added that she’s donated blood “a whole bunch” since joining the Army in 2003. “I’ve always felt a sense of obligation to donate,” Denby said. “If you have the ability to give blood and potentially save someone else’s life, without really even sacrificing anything, why wouldn’t you?”

The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage nationwide as it experiences the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years. The Red Cross supplies blood to 40% of the nation’s hospitals. It also has a close partnership with the Armed Services Blood Program, which is the official military provider of blood products to U.S. armed forces.

In addition to blood drives hosted at places like Fort Knox, the American Red Cross Kentucky Region has four stationary blood donation locations and a multitude of community partners who host throughout the year.

Leading with compassion: Sara VonAllmen

Sara VonAllmen

There’s something to be said for empowered women in the workplace. Sara VonAllmen learned this when she joined our team over 4 years ago. “The person I was reporting to was female, her boss was female and [the person] above her was female. Also, the board chair was female. That was something I had never seen before. It was my first opportunity to be exposed to women in leadership and what that could look like,” Sara said. Being in the room with these women and part of the conversations clicked for her. It felt right.

Sara started her career in the restaurant industry when she was 15 years old. She attended the University of Louisville and received a degree in Business Management. From there, she became a consultant with Subway restaurants. “I would go into restaurants and advise them. I would tell them what would be good for their financial success and how to manage products,” said Sara. She did that for 6 years and then became a General Manager for 3 Subway locations. At that time, she thought her future pointed towards purchasing and owning a restaurant. However, the demands of the role gave Sara little work life balance.

That’s when she started her career with us as executive coordinator and assistant to the Red Cross Kentucky Region CEO. “Everything they told me in the job interview has been true to their word. I’ve been able to leave the office and not take work with me. I’ve been able to be more present for my family. It’s good because of supportive people like Steve Cunanan and Jennifer Adrio,” said Sara. Steve is our current region CEO and Jennifer was his predecessor.

We talked with Sara about the “unseen” work of assistants. We all know those individuals who go beyond their job descriptions and lend a hand. Sara explained that assistants are event planners: “We have to think through every detail of both on-site and off-site meetings/events to ensure our attendees will have a positive, engaging experience and they walk away with something meaningful.”

Sara and her family

Assistants are “I.T.”- troubleshooting the technology at events. Assistants are advisors. “I have been used as a sounding board. The leadership team wants to ensure they are sending out information that will be well received... The better listener you are, the better you can help close the gaps,” said Sara.

Sara is “A department of one,” so she is an invaluable asset to the team with a wealth of knowledge. Assistants are creators and self-sufficient- they find ways to make meetings fun and thoughtful. She laughs when talking about people explaining her role, saying, “People don’t know how to introduce me. They say: This is Sara- she does a lot of things!”

You might have already guessed Sara has been a trailblazer for initiating programs. She created the hands-only CPR initiative in Kentucky. “In 4 months, we trained 550 people across the state. 90% of that is youth. The South Central Kentucky (SCKY) chapter has taught the program in different languages and represented 15 different nationalities,” said Sara.

Sara was selected as a Serving Leader facilitator for our division. “For me, Serving Leader is about taking what I value for myself and bringing that opportunity back. It’s important I feel valued. It’s important when I show up, I feel supported... How can I give my coworkers the tools to be a little introspective? How can things look differently?” Sara reflected. She dedicated over 100 hours of training to become an instructor.

Sara with her dad and daughter

She is our staff lead for our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee. Sara sends out staff newsletters with thought provoking narratives. “It was a way to send something to our staff that wasn’t asking them to do something. I wanted to give them a chance to escape work and think about something different,” she said. Sara is most proud of her growth in her personal and professional life due to her work with DEI.

Sara’s dad passed unexpectedly last year. Through DEI, she has connected with coworkers on a deeper level while managing her grief. “I am not a person who knows the experience of everyone, I only know my own. But I’ve worked hard to show people there’s so many differences between all of us. Let’s take a pause and recognize that and use the information in how we speak to ourselves and how we speak to coworkers,” she said. Sara has been able to show our staff that diversity is more than religion, the color of your skin, and where you were born.

Sara is married to Brian, and they have 3 kids: Asher, Emily, and Avery. She is a homebody and enjoys being with her family at home. She also loves to bake and has a side business making macarons.

A batch of Sara's homemade macarons

35 Years of Service: Tammy Ritchie

Tammy with her grandchild

You can’t mention the Red Cross Blood Services in Kentucky without thinking about Tammy Ritchie. In many ways, the Red Cross and Tammy have grown up together. Tammy started with us as in her early 20’s. Her coworkers have seen her during times of milestones and celebrations; and grief and tragedies. We watched Tammy help her daughter, Shelby, through her first pregnancy and birth. We saw her elated when her son, Brandon, married his perfect match. We helped start the relationship with her best friend, Keith Wedding. He was a valued team member for 20 years before he passed suddenly in 2019. We supported her through mourning when her parents passed away within a few years of each other.

Our story began with Tammy in 1988. “I came to give blood for my dad. He needed open heart surgery… They asked for all his kids to come and donate blood for him; anyone that was his type. It was the first time I ever donated,” said Tammy. The nurse on staff asked what Tammy did for work. At that point, she was working at Jewish Hospital. The nurse encouraged her to come to Red Cross and she agreed. After her experience with her dad, she became a regular blood donor.

“I started out as a phlebotomist on the collections team and drew blood. I was in that position for about a year. I came to the Donor Resources Department and ran the call center… From there, I came into the role I’m in now, as an Account Manager,” said Tammy. Her job is to go out into the community and set up blood drives with churches, community leaders, businesses, etc. and educate about the need for blood.

Tammy with her husband
and grandchildren

Unfortunately, Tammy also knows what it’s like to be on the other side of donating blood. She had a scary morning after recovering from a routine surgery. “I woke up one morning fatigued and lifeless… I was a direct admit in the hospital after my doctor saw me. My hemoglobin was low. Because I worked for the Red Cross, I knew there was a need for blood, and I was nervous… Since we are on a national system for blood, we got the blood there in time. The blood was the medicine I needed,” Tammy reflected. She later found out she has a rare blood disease that destroys her blood cells.

It’s been 35 years, and Tammy is still a pillar for us. “I can go to bed and put my head on my pillow and say: I helped save lives today,” she said. As for her team? They consider her a compassionate and loving coworker. “She’s like our work mom. She’s a great team player and she is always there when we need her,” said Brooke Lee, Account Manager.

“Tammy is the epitome of historical expertise for our team. Every organization needs that person who brings knowledge of the legacy created. Tammy is that for us and she sets the standard high. She is also a kind and empathetic person,” said Pam Greer-Ullrich, Account Manager. Tammy views her team as incredible, and she loves the supportive environment. “We cover for each other, everything is focused on our hospital partners and meeting their patient’s needs. That is our job every day,” she said.

Her mission is to let people know the ways we save lives. “The Red Cross is called upon during times of disaster. We have a wonderful relationship with the military. We are all hands-on deck when the community needs blood,” said Tammy.

Help Restock Hospital Shelves: Reg Morris

Reg Morris

Reg is a Red Cross Bluegrass Area Chapter board member and blood donor. Read more of his story and why he is grateful for those who donate blood each and every day.

"Over the past 50 years, I have donated blood numerous times - never thinking that I would ever need blood myself. That all changed before a Red Cross board meeting in August 2023. I started feeling lightheaded and weak, and my blood pressure started dropping. EMS took me to University of Kentucky Emergency Hospital, where it was discovered I had a gastric artery emptying blood into my stomach.

I was in critical condition from the massive blood loss. They started pumping blood and plasma into me, put me in an induced coma, and managed to stop the major leak. As they continued to monitor me, my blood pressure and hemoglobin counts still kept dropping, which required me to continue to receive transfusions.  

After several scopes and procedures, they were finally able to locate and stop two other pseudo-aneurysms in my upper stomach. Finally, after 10 days in ICU and 3.5 weeks in the hospital, 16 pints of blood and 5 units of plasma, I was able to go home. There is no question that the blood that I received saved my life, and I am forever grateful to the Red Cross and those who donate their blood and time to this essential mission."

We are experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Donors of all types are encouraged to make an appointment at a donor center near you. Help patients like Reg by visiting redcrossblood.org

Atlanta Born, Louisville Inspired: Dr. Ricky Jones, Part 2

 (Story continued from Part 1)

Dr. Ricky Jones and previous Red Cross staff, Yulee

Ricky describes the continuous shortages in the blood supply as hurtful and disturbing, saying, “While we do this for sickle cell, people don’t understand that the Red Cross isn’t just that. The Red Cross is providing a blood supply for all kinds of issues. My grandmother who raised me, she died of multiple myeloma in 2009.”

Dr. Ricky Jones and Grandma, Linnie Mae Jones

Ricky’s grandmother needed blood transfusions while going through cancer treatments. Two loved ones in his life have depended on the generosity of blood donors. “What people don’t understand is when you give blood, that really is the gift of life. People need blood transfusions to survive... Certainly people who have suffered catastrophic injuries,” said Ricky.

Ricky acknowledges the struggle of getting the Black community to donate blood. “There’s always been a tenuous relationship between the black community and health care. There’s a built-in historical fear. We work to counter that as much as possible…It’s very tough to wrestle history in the immediate present,” he said. He is thankful that the Red Cross continues to raise awareness about the disease.

On a personal level, Ricky is tied to his community. He said, “I’m a teacher first. I believe in academic excellence and social responsibility. I’m an Atlanta kid but have been deeply involved in Louisville.” Any openings in his schedule are usually spent traveling with his daughter, Jordan, who plays travel volleyball.

Jordan Jones, KIVA volleyball player

The Red Cross deeply appreciates Dr. Ricky Jones for making sickle cell awareness a priority. He’s a natural leader in this community and we know he has helped many youth minds at UofL! #sicklecellawareness #sicklecell #Joinedbyblood

Atlanta Born, Louisville Inspired: Dr. Ricky Jones, Part 1

 

L to R: Kerry Norwood, Dr. Ricky Jones

When Kerry Norwood was a child, doctors did not think he would live past 16 years old. He was born with sickle cell disease and missed a lot of school due to being ill. Growing up in Atlanta, Kerry befriended Ricky Jones in 8^th grade. “He was nice to me. We lived in adjacent neighborhoods and played in the band together,” said Ricky.

That’s when Ricky started to learn about sickle cell disease. “I was a kid. I didn’t know anything about it. Because of Kerry, I learned about the disease and how it impacts people,” said Ricky. Kerry and Ricky have been lifelong friends ever since. They mean the world to each other. They are family.

September is Kerry’s birthday and sickle cell awareness month. Kerry celebrated his 56^th birthday last year, despite what doctors feared. Ricky is now Dr. Ricky L. Jones, Professor at the University of Louisville. Baldwin-King Scholar-in-Residence at the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute and past chair of the Pan-African Studies Department.

A few years ago, Ricky spoke with the Red Cross about doing a blood drive specifically for sickle cell disease. “As Kerry aged, he has needed more blood transfusions. Sometimes it would be difficult for him to get access to blood,” Ricky said. “I said: you know, there are people going through this all over the country. It would be cool if we could do something targeting just sickle cell.” The Red Cross didn’t have their sickle cell initiative program at that time, so in many ways, Ricky created this idea and let it grow.

Ricky originated the Pan-African studies sickle cell blood drive at the University of Louisville. It’s hosted around Kerry’s birthday every year. “We are trying to do a little bit to help people struggling with the disease. It disproportionately affects African Americans or African descended people. But a lot of people don’t know that,” said Ricky.

Dr. Ricky Jones

How does he recruit blood donors on campus and in the community? “I tell my story. I make it personal,” Ricky said. He shares about his friendship with Kerry and offers extra credit for donating blood. Ricky’s message is inspiring because it’s vulnerable and raw: “Think about the people around you who you love most in this world. What if they needed blood because of some accident or some disease they are suffering from. How would you feel if there was no blood available?”

(Story continues in Part 2)