Honoring Survivors During National Cancer Survivors Month

During National Cancer Survivors Month, we honor those who are currently in treatment and those who have fought the disease like Kiella, a 9-year breast cancer survivor. In August 2012, she noticed a small bump that felt like a marble. After a mammogram, MRI and needle biopsy, she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer – one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer that affects young women and people of color.

“From that day forward my fight began and there was no turning back,” said Kiella. “The life I knew was changed forever with that devastating news.”

Kiella’s first lumpectomy surgery was unsuccessful, and after five minutes of surgery, she had anaphylactic reaction to the blue dye used to locate her lymph nodes and spent the afternoon in ICU recovering. During her second lumpectomy, the cancerous tumor was successfully removed, and her lymph nodes came back clear of any cancer.

“With that great news, I still had a long road ahead,” said Kiella. “I began one of four chemotherapy treatments on Dec. 21, 2012 and completed chemotherapy on Feb. 22, 2013. I later completed radiation therapy on May 2, 2013.”

While many cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, require blood products during treatment, Kiella did not. Yet, she believes it is important for individuals to know that blood and platelet transfusions could be the needed boost to help save the lives of those fighting cancer.

“It’s critically important for people to be aware,” said Kiella. “Think of the countless lives you could save by donating blood.”

Kiella, who is a spokesperson and advocate for cancer awareness and early detection, enjoys running, traveling, watching sports and spending time with her two children and husband.

“I appreciate life and cherish every moment I can spend with my family,” said Kiella. “Giving blood is a great way to give others more time with their loved ones as well.”

Has someone you love faced a #cancer diagnosis? Join the American Red Cross & American Cancer Society #GiveBloodToGiveTime campaign and donate blood or platelets this month as a meaningful way to honor those with cancer or those who've overcome cancer. Schedule now: rcblood.org/3tTD9rV

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Delores and Charlie Oberhausen

As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of the volunteers who work behind the scenes every day to help support the mission of the American Red Cross!

Delores and Charlie Oberhausen are Louisville Area Chapter volunteers who have been volunteering since 2010. Charlie started volunteering at Habitat for Humanity after he retired, where he helped build houses. He later learned that the Red Cross was looking for people to volunteer as Transportation Specialists. Transportation Specialists deliver life-saving blood products from Red Cross distribution facilities to hospitals, and so Charlie decided that he would rather drive a truck instead of a nail and became a Red Cross volunteer.

Delores began volunteering for the Red Cross by working at blood drives, but she was also looking for something that would allow her to work on computer data projects and train others. She could not have been happier when she got a call from the Financial Development department wanting her help. While she now spends most of her time assisting Financial Development, Delores is always willing to help wherever she’s needed, and in 2018 she received the Volunteer of the Year award for her outstanding service.

For Charlie and Delores, volunteering is a way to keep their minds and bodies active. In Delores’ case, it also keeps some of her computer technical skills active, and she loves doing computer work. Charlie is proud to volunteer for an organization that helps people in their time of need, and it makes Delores feel good to help other people and those that she works for are so appreciative.

When they aren’t volunteering, Delores enjoys creating family trees for family and friends, and Charlie likes to take photos of gravestones and post them on Find A Grave. They both enjoy bike riding, walking in The Parklands and going on cruises.

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Stephanie Thomas

As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of the volunteers who work behind the scenes every day to help support the mission of the American Red Cross!

Stephanie Thomas is a Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteer from Sonora, KY. As part of her role in SAF, Stephanie is responsible for following up with military families who have had an emergency that required an emergency communication from the Red Cross, and finding resources to address any critical needs they may have. Stephanie decided to volunteer with the Red Cross to give back to her country and her people.

 “I'm not a service member or a veteran, so working with the Red Cross is my way to serve,” said Stephanie. “To me, being a Red Cross volunteer is incredibly meaningful. Volunteering with the Red Cross means doing good in a world that needs it, contributing in some small way to the legacy of strength and service left by Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton, and standing by the side of our service members and veterans to let them know that they aren't alone.”

For Stephanie, the most interesting part of her job is getting to speak with our service members, veterans, and their families.

“As a SAF volunteer I get to speak with our service members, veterans, and their families, and let them know that there are people who care about them and truly want to help them however we can. “

The most memorable parts of her job so far have been the volunteers that she has gotten to work alongside.

“Every volunteer I've encountered has gone above and beyond, and truly cares about those serving our country,” said Stephanie. “I would recommend everyone volunteer if they can. People might think volunteers give to others, but the truth is that you get more back. Volunteering lets you expand your view of the world, and you'll meet some of the kindest, smartest people in your life - it is incredibly rewarding, and helps restore faith in humanity at the most basic level.”

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Margot Dudewicz

As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of the volunteers who work behind the scenes every day to help support the mission of the American Red Cross!

Margot Dudewicz is a Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) volunteer in Fort Knox, KY who serves as the lead for SAF casework in Kentucky. She has been a volunteer for about three and a half years, and became a Red Cross volunteer while her family was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. 

“I called the Red Cross to start an emergency communication message when my husband was deployed to Iraq due to the death of his father,” said Margot. “The assistance I was provided by the Red Cross was truly comforting.

As the casework lead, she reaches out to volunteers who are interested in casework, trains new caseworkers on making family follow-up calls, approves monthly caseworker hours, and serves on the Fort Knox Advisory Board.

Margot finds it rewarding to touch base with a service member's family member who initiated a Red Cross emergency communication message and knowing that the service member will be able to travel home to be with their family.

“Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community,” said Margot. “As a SAF caseworker, it is an honor to serve military members, veterans, and their families.”

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.

Volunteer Appreciation Week: Sally Snavely

As part of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re highlighting some of the volunteers who work behind the scenes every day to help support the mission of the American Red Cross!

Sally Snavely is a Kentucky Region Tiffany Circle member. The Tiffany Circle is a community of women leaders who advance the Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure by engaging women locally, nationally and internationally. Sally was quick to jump in as an active Tiffany Circle member, and became the Kentucky Region Tiffany Circle Chair in 2020. Sally and her husband, Tim, are also on the Leadership Committee of our Wrapped in Red Gala.

Always eager to step in and add her special “Sally” touch, Sally’s gift is to make every Red Cross event meaningful, mission-focused, and fun!

Our Red Cross volunteers are community heroes who give their time to help others. Join their ranks and be part of our lifesaving work! Visit redcross.org/volunteer to find an opportunity near you.