A better night’s sleep for Fort Knox soldiers, courtesy of Tempur-Pedic and the American Red Cross

By Kevin Sandell, American Red Cross Volunteer

A good night's rest is a proven way to improve health and wellness. It’s especially imperative for U.S. service members as they serve and protect America at locations around the world.

Capt. Kyle Hinzman, commander of the 34th and 905th Military
Police Detachments on Fort Knox, secures a new mattress
atop a vehicle at the American Red Cross’ Warrior Warehouse
on post, Feb. 9. 

Tempur-Pedic and the American Red Cross Kentucky Region partnered to donate 80 new mattresses to U.S. service members and families stationed at Fort Knox, the large U.S. Army post south of Louisville. The in-kind donation from the Lexington, Ky.-based mattress manufacturer allowed soldiers and families in need to receive a new mattress at the Red Cross Warrior Warehouse on post. A group of military police soldiers stationed at Fort Knox even helped load the mattresses into each vehicle waiting in line.

For Yvonne Plough, the Red Cross’ Volunteer Engagement Lead at the Warrior Warehouse, seeing soldiers volunteer to help those in need is a tangible way to pay it forward. “[This is] soldiers helping soldiers. We all had a consideration at one point where we needed help, so when we receive help, we should give it forward,” Plough said.

Tempur-Pedic donated the queen-sized mattresses to the American Red Cross to distribute to service members or their families on Fort Knox, and has done so for several years, according to John Matthews, a Red Cross Senior Regional Program Specialist. The Red Cross works with unit chaplains and commanders to nominate enlisted service members E-6 and below in their units to receive a new mattress. Soldiers in the paygrades of E-1 to E-4 are junior enlisted service members, and soldiers in the paygrades of E-5 to E-6 are noncommissioned officers who typically manage junior enlisted service members in day-to-day operations. Each nominated soldier must verify they will not resell the mattresses, nor will they receive more than one mattress per year. 

Soldiers from the 34th and 905th Military Police Detachments
at Fort Knox, Ky. haul new mattresses from inside the
American Red Cross Warrior Warehouse, Feb. 9.

According to a Tempur-Pedic press release from January 2023, the company has donated more than 228,000 mattresses to charities since 2011, including veterans homes and military bases, homeless shelters, fire stations, and the American Red Cross.

A group of eight soldiers from the post’s 34th Military Police Detachment and the 905th Military Working Dog Detachment volunteered to help move the mattresses from inside the warehouse and load them into each waiting vehicle. For 1st Lt. Davis Johns, the Executive Officer for both detachments, the chance to volunteer with the Red Cross helps others understand their profession better.

“I feel like it’s part of our job being military police,” Johns said. “Our job is to protect and serve the people of the installation, and this is just one of the ways we can do that, even if it’s not in a law enforcement capacity.”

The commander of both detachments, Capt. Kyle Hinzman, said many of the detachments’ soldiers have volunteered with previous Red Cross volunteer opportunities on post, and relished the chance to do so again distributing mattresses. He said at least four soldiers in the unit have earned the military’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal in the last two years for their volunteerism efforts.

Soldiers with the 34th and 905th Military Police Detachments
at Fort Knox, Ky., load a mattress into a waiting vehicle during
 a free mattress distribution event at Fort Knox, Feb. 9.

“Doing something like this gives a [better] view that we can be part of positive support to the community as opposed to just showing up at someone’s house when they’re having a really bad day,” Hinzman said.

As she and the other soldiers loaded mattresses into vehicles, Staff Sgt. Joann Cassitty, an operations noncommissioned officer with the 34th MP Detachment, said she and her soldiers are “always ready to help.” She called the American Red Cross’ programs on Fort Knox “amazing,” and wished that every installation had comparable services.

By day’s end, all 80 mattresses were claimed - tied onto vehicle roofs or slid into trunks, much to the visible satisfaction of those receiving one.

Sean Brown - National Phlebotomists Recognition Week

Sean Brown is one of our lead technicians and has been on our team for 2 years. An A+ blood donor since 2018, he is proud of the work we do. “It keeps me going because I know that there are people that are in need and I can make a difference by coming into work and taking blood donations,” said Sean.

It’s a priority for us to embody inclusion in our work and in the community. Sean is transgender and has felt accepted with his coworkers. “The Red Cross has been one of the best places I have worked since coming out. They have provided a welcoming environment and have done everything in their power to help me feel comfortable,” said Sean. “Certain jobs wouldn’t let me have the correct name on my badge due to paperwork, but the Red Cross has put in the effort to where I can live as my authentic self on and off the clock.”

Sean is seeing the positive changes with the Individual Donor Assessment (IDA) screening. Under new FDA guidelines, donors who were previously ineligible due to their sexual orientation may now be eligible to donate blood.

“I was very proud [when IDA was initiated]. In my community, multiple people have talked about how they would like to donate blood, but the [regulation] would not allow them… As soon as it got lifted, I was able to let a lot of people in my close circle know. Now we have multiple forever donors since the change went into action,” said Sean.

Sean’s favorite memory is working the John Hardin High School blood drive. He previously went to school there and enjoyed seeing the teachers work so hard to make the blood drive a success. “It was fun seeing kids I went to school with and the teachers who wanted to make a difference,” he said.

Tammy Ritchie is an expert biomedical account manager and has complimented Sean’s ability to connect with donors. “Sean’s customer service is outstanding. He always makes donors feel comfortable, and they continue to come back,” said Tammy.

In his personal life, Sean enjoys playing video games. He plays all The Sims life simulation games. We are grateful for the work Sean does! #NationalPhlebotomistRecognitionWeek

Trinacy Graham - National Phlebotomists Recognition Week

When faced with adversity, Trinacy Graham becomes inspired. On Monday, she was the phlebotomist taking care of our Governor’s blood donation. She worked the blood drive hosted by Governor and First Lady Beshear and then heard that two other blood drives needed help later that day. Instead of going home to rest, she traveled to those blood drives to lend a hand. On Wednesday, Trinacy committed to working 2 blood drives in the morning and afternoon to help her team.

The extra hours and physical demand are worth it in her eyes. “I love our mission. I think about it every day when I go into work. I love knowing that people will get to live another day because we are coming to work and doing what we do best,” said Trinacy. Trinacy is A- and has been a regular blood donor since she was 16. She began her Red Cross journey as a collections technician and worked her way up to charge nurse and is now a team supervisor.

Connecting with blood donors is more than just a job for Trinacy. “I take the blood shortages very personal. That’s where I operate best, and I portray that to my team… I tell them to think about the people in their lives who have needed blood,” she said. Her mother needed blood while giving birth to Trinacy. “My mom has received a lot of blood. She hemorrhaged bad during delivery, and she also has M.S. (multiple sclerosis), so she has gotten all kinds of treatment. I don’t think she would be here if she hadn’t received the blood she needed.”

It's easy to spot Trinacy at a blood drive, because of her welcoming presence. “I love our donors,” she said. “It gets me through a lot of the days; thinking about who is relying on us.” Her favorite blood drive to work is with Waystar. “All of the people there are awesome. It feels like a party. They cater and give us a break room, and they know how to make it a great day,” said Trinacy.

In her free time, Trinacy loves reading books, playing her instruments and video games. She plays the flute and clarinet. Her favorite games are Portal and Animal Crossing. Trinacy’s “favorite person in the world” is her son, Damien. She loves spending time with him and watching him grow.

This #PhlebotomistRecognitionWeek we want to say thank you to Trinacy for her leadership and commitment!

Erin Coleman - National Phlebotomists Recognition Week 2024

It’s never too late to make a career change! Erin Coleman was a baker and took an online assessment course. Phlebotomy was one of the career choices that fit her personality profile. “I decided to give it a shot,” said Erin. “I wanted to work for the Red Cross because I wanted to do something good and make a difference.”

She’s been on our team for 5 years as a Lead Collections Specialist. Erin’s coworkers describe her as hardworking, dependable, and kind. 

“We have really great staff. I love being out on the road with my coworkers,” said Erin. Donors enjoy having her as their phlebotomist as she makes the process easy and comfortable.

One of her favorite blood drives to work is in honor of a little boy fighting cancer. “I love to go to that drive and see the whole community come out to support him,” said Erin. It’s important for her to take every donor to help people in the hospital. “We need to get as many donors in as we can. I don’t ever want to turn anyone away. If someone comes in late, I’m going to take them… Blood is desperately needed,” said Erin.

Working the mobile blood drives can be taxing. “It’s a hard job. I don’t think people realize how physical it can be with loading and set up. It can be mentally and emotionally draining. But then you’ll see a donor who is so appreciative and takes the time to talk with you, and your whole day gets turned around,” said Erin.

Outside of work, Erin enjoys gaming, watching documentaries, and spending time with family. She truly loves her job and giving back to the community. “Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of others,” she said. “I find it really fulfilling and I enjoy my work.”

Thank you, Erin, for all you do! We are honored to recognize the contributions of our phlebotomists during Phlebotomists Recognition Week. This special week celebrates the role phlebotomists play in the collection of lifesaving blood products as well as the care they provide to donors during the donation process.

The Unspoken Battles of Sickle Cell Trait, Part 2

(Story continued from Part 1)

Yolanda Evans

Later in life, Yolanda found out she had a brother who also had sickle cell trait. “He died [by gunshot wound]. We found out the doctors could have saved him if they knew he had the trait. It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” she said.

Yolanda has taken her knowledge about sickle cell trait and become an advocate. She is Miss Bullitt Blast and uses her platform to educate. The Bullitt Blast pageant is in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, and part of the AmeriFest National Pageant system that inspires community service, leadership and building self-esteem.

Yolanda spoke about how managing sickle cell trait, having kids at a young age, and growing up in group homes gave her the opportunity to reach more people.  She emphasized the need to speak to multiracial families, saying, “The reality is that this is something that can happen to more than one race. It’s not just African Americans.”

Yolanda is Miss Bullitt Blast

With a passion for people to understand the disorder, Yolanda wants to continue giving back to her community. Her love for modeling and pageants has given her the confidence to be a positive influence. Yolanda plans to host a blood drive with the Red Cross and amplify the need for blood. “We all need to come together and be in a humility situation where we can help each other…Blood will save a life,” she reflected.

We are so thankful to Yolanda for being sincere and sharing her story. We encourage anyone who has the sickle cell trait to speak with their doctor about what it means for their health and family planning. The Red Cross is screening for sickle cell trait in blood donations for individuals who identify as multiracial, Black or African American. You can learn more here: Sickle Cell Trait Screening

The Unspoken Battles of Sickle Cell Trait, Part 1

Yolanda Evans

Yolanda Evans was born into devastating circumstances. “My mom gave me away at 2 weeks old. I was born in a group home with an elder lady, and I didn’t really know what was going on with me. I was sick a lot. My bones were fragile, and I was always falling and breaking them,” she said. Yolanda reflected on being at Kosair Children’s hospital throughout childhood.

It was after an accident in her teens that she was taken to the hospital and learned she had sickle cell trait. She left the hospital and never really thought about it or studied the disorder. Not to be confused with sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait is when a child inherits a normal gene and a sickle cell gene, according to the CDC. Sickle cell trait can never turn into sickle cell disease, but the trait can be passed down. A child can develop sickle cell disease if both parents have the trait.

Most people with sickle cell trait experience no symptoms, and that’s why it can go undetected. Yolanda is part of the rare group that does experience symptoms. “It was when I turned 15 and got pregnant that I started learning about the blood disorder,” said Yolanda, “Complications started coming. My son was born when I was 16 and he has sickle cell trait. I had my second child at the age of 18. They thought my daughter would be deformed from having sickle cell disease.”

Yolanda and her daughter

Yolanda underwent blood testing and the agony of waiting to hear about her daughter. “Thankfully, she didn’t have the disease. She also has the trait,” she said. “This is something that could have been very scary for my children. I was unaware.” Sickle cell trait testing at birth was not widely provided until 2006.

Yolanda experiences pain crises in the form of cramps and urinary tract infections. “Rest and staying hydrated helps. I tell people I have to sleep for 9 hours a day. Sometimes I schedule off with my job to rest. They know what’s going on and are supportive,” she said. She knows when a pain crisis is usually coming because her platelet count gets low.

In comparison, people with sickle cell disease have “bizarre pain. It almost feels like having a baby. It’s so bad you can’t tolerate it and need to go to the emergency room,” said Yolanda. Patients with sickle cell disease typically require blood transfusions to keep their blood from sickling.

Her connection to sickle cell unfortunately goes further. Yolanda had a childhood friend in her group home who died from sickle cell disease. “Her and I would always talk about the different things she was going through. I would relate to some of the pain. It makes me emotional. It’s something really dear to my heart,” said Yolanda.

(Story continues in Part 2)