In celebration of Black History Month, we invited colleagues to share their thoughts and stories as proud Red Crossers that make up our inclusive team in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Please note, the views expressed in this post are of the author and not necessarily those of the American Red Cross. Learn more about our culture of mission, impact and inclusion.

By Samantha Munro

We never think of ourselves as being part of history one day, let alone our journey. However, it is important to know that you are, and your story can make a difference in the lives of others. Since I’ll be writing from the standpoint of a Black American, no matter who you are or where you’re from, my hope is for you to gain insight and understanding that may help you through your own life’s journey. Being Black in America is ever-changing and stagnant at the same time, depending on where you are and who you are around. I’ve had a variety of experiences, some positive, some negative, and some funny. 

I’ll start with a funny story. When I was volunteering on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico while visiting a school, one of the children, maybe around 6 years ( but don’t quote me on that), came up to me and started to rub my forehead. She said, “It won’t come off!” I hurried into the restroom to see what was on my forehead, and there was nothing. I quickly realized what it was.

Later that evening, our group met to talk about the day. I mentioned what happened — might I say that within my group, I was the only Black person there (the only minority). Our group leader understood, she said that I was probably the first Black person she (the little girl) had ever seen. In all fairness, it was also the first meeting of a different group of people of her ethnicity for me as well! I loved my visit, the people, and the culture. I’ve always wanted to go back, but I graduated as the volunteering was through the United Campus Ministries group in college and thus, I never got to go back.

Like I’ve said, I have experienced the positive and the negative, but with everyone, no matter what they look like. What I have come to realize is that it’s less of a race issue and more of a soul issue. Some people will never like you and will look for something to use against you. Some people don’t even realize the hidden prejudices they have. 

This is why I love volunteering. Yes, you are recognized for who you are, your experiences, and with that, you can give back to the community. Volunteering has even helped me in my working life. On the job, you face everyday challenges such as competition; yes, it can be healthy, but it can also be toxic. As anger and rage have been growing throughout the world due to many injustices, that anger can seep into the workplace and manifest in different ways. 

Volunteering is my Soul Food — so ask yourself what is yours? Considering being a volunteer at the American Red Cross will not only bring joy to your life but also to the lives of others.  Sign up today.

By Cristina Turcato

Every year, extreme cold weather affects millions of individuals and families across the U.S. Along with extreme temperatures, winter can bring frostbite, hypothermia and severe storms. During this season, it is important to take care of yourself and your family by following these safety tips, which cover winter shoveling and snowblower safety, as well as ways to stay warm in freezing temperatures.

One way to stay safe in winter is to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia can occur at temperatures as high as 40°F, and a person can experience a dangerous drop in body heat when their temperature falls below 95°F. Frostbite can develop at temperatures below 32°F and affects exposed skin. Dressing in layers is one important prevention tip and is essential to staying warm. Avoid cotton clothing; instead, choose wool or polyester, which helps manage moisture and keep sweat away from the body. Additionally, wearing hats that cover the ears, along with scarves or face masks and mittens, can help protect against the cold.

Another important prevention step is maintaining a safe home environment. Check the temperature in your home and make sure it stays at an optimal level of around 70°F. To prevent slips and falls, it is also important to salt driveways, garage entryways, sidewalks and roads. This helps prevent vehicle tires from sliding and reduces the risk of people slipping on black ice, which is often not noticeable at first glance.

For snow shoveling and snowblower safety, there are important tips and precautions to keep in mind. When shoveling snow, individuals should wear waterproof gloves and consider using an ergonomic shovel for better grip and comfort. Proper technique is also important, such as slightly bending the knees, lifting with your legs instead of your back, and shoveling early and often. For snowblower safety, always read the safety manual before use and inspect the area for debris such as toys, rocks, or doormats. Never use your hands to clear a jam, even if the machine appears to be off. Instead, make sure the machine is completely powered off and use a tool such as a stick or broom to clear clogs.

If someone is experiencing signs of hypothermia or frostbite, act immediately. Get out of the cold, remove any wet clothing, and seek help by using the Red Cross First Aid app. In general, it is important to listen to your body. If you feel lightheaded, overly fatigued, or unwell, stop what you are doing and seek help right away.

By Alana Mauger

As we start the new year, the American Red Cross is asking members of our community to help people in need by becoming a volunteer! Volunteers make up 90% of the Red Cross workforce and make the organization’s mission possible.

You may be surprised to learn about the variety of volunteer opportunities the Red Cross has to offer. From supporting a family after a home fire, helping a member of the military during an emergency or ensuring that blood is available to those who need it, the Red Cross has something for everyone.

Below are some of the most needed volunteer positions right now in Southeastern Pennsylvania:

⛑️ Disaster Action Team Specialist – Be a source of refuge and support when it’s needed most.Disaster Action Team responders provide 24-hour immediate support and assistance to individuals and families who have been impacted by home fires or other local disasters.

📱 Disaster Action Team Duty Officer – Make a difference from the comfort of your own home! Duty Officers help families after home fires and other disasters by dispatching Disaster Action Team volunteers who provide essentials like shelter, food and clothing.

🩺 Disaster Health Services Team Member – Put your professional credentials to work! We’re looking for licensed healthcare providers to deliver hands-on care and education to people impacted by disasters. 

👩‍💻 Shelter Resident Transition Caseworker – Help families take the next step after a disaster. When large disasters strike, SRT volunteers work with shelter residents to identify resources, overcome roadblocks, and create personalized action plans that help families move toward a more sustainable living solution.

🩸 Blood Transportation Specialist – Help deliver blood from our collection sites throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to our lab in Philadelphia for testing and processing and/or to deliver blood products from our lab to hospitals. 

🇺🇸 Service to the Armed Forces Reconnection Workshop Facilitator – Lead workshops that help service members and their loved ones strengthen emotional wellbeing. Must be a licensed mental health professional.

🎖️ Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service Volunteer – Contribute to programs that improve veterans’ quality of life at VA health care facilities in Philadelphia and Coatesville.

🗺️ Restoring Family Links Volunteer – Help identify and provide outreach to communities that might benefit from reconnection services for families separated by conflict, immigration, natural disaster, or other humanitarian crisis.

To learn more about these roles and to fill out a volunteer application, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

By Samantha Antenucci, Jenny Farley and Alana Mauger

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a time to raise awareness, honor survivors, support those in treatment and remember those we’ve lost. It’s a month filled with stories of courage and resilience and a reminder that the fight against cancer continues every day.

While that fight can feel overwhelming, there’s one powerful way anyone can help: donating blood and platelets. Cancer patients often rely on transfusions during treatment, especially when chemotherapy affects their ability to produce healthy blood cells. Your donation can provide strength, hope and healing — and may even help save a life.

Donating platelets

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. In fact, every 15 seconds someone in the U.S. needs platelets.

Donating platelets is a bit different than donating whole blood. A typical blood donation takes about one hour, while a platelet donation takes 2-3 hours and must be done at a Blood Donation Center by appointment.

During the process, blood is drawn from one arm and passed through an apheresis machine, which extracts the platelets. The remaining blood components are then returned to you through the other arm.

Because platelets must be used within five days of donation, new donors are always needed. People with blood types A+, A−, B+, O+, AB+ and AB− are encouraged to donate. You can donate platelets up to 24 times per year.

Why blood and platelet donations matter

You might not realize how vital a blood or platelet transfusion can be in cancer treatments. Nearly 50% of all donated platelets and 25% of all donated blood products go directly to cancer patients.

Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can severely reduce red and white blood cell counts and lead to complications like anemia, infection and difficulty clotting. Chemotherapy can also damage bone marrow, which is where platelets are produced. When platelet levels drop, the body’s ability to form clots is compromised — even small cuts or bruises can lead to dangerous bleeding.

Patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers often depend on frequent transfusions to survive. Those undergoing bone marrow transplants or major surgeries to remove tumors also require blood products to aid in recovery.

Be a cancer kicker

Because so many cancer patients rely on platelet donations, donors like Bucks County resident Gary LaSasso are often called Cancer Kickers.

When Gary’s young cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia four years ago, he wanted to help in any way he could.

“I knew that he was going to be in need of constant platelets during his treatments, and I thought I would do my part to help refill the platelet population – replenish the platelets,” he said.

That desire to help turned into a personal mission. Gary now donates platelets 18 times a year.

Initially, he planned to donate once a month – until a conversation in the donor canteen changed his mind.

“I sat down in the canteen after one of my donations and another donor thanked me for my donation. I thought it was kind of strange, why is a donor thanking a donor?”

Gary asked the donor why? Her answer stuck with him.

“She said, ‘We just moved from Chicago. Our son is undergoing clinical trials at CHOP in Philadelphia and if he doesn’t get platelets every week he’s going to die. It’s people like you who donate that save his life.’ So, at that point I was like I can’t give once a month. I have to give more.”

Gary doesn’t just donate; he inspires others to join him.

“My 18 is one thing but if I can get two or three other people to give 10 times, that’s many more than I’m giving, so I like to use social media to spread the word and hopefully get more people.”

Thinking about giving it a try? Gary has some advice.

“Do it once. Join the Facebook group of platelet donors of the Red Cross, and when you’re around a community and you understand the impact that you’re making, you won’t just do it once. You’ll give a lot more.”

Ready to donate?

To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor app or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

By Vaishnavi Kalakota

Every year on the third Thursday of October, millions of people across the world take part in the Great ShakeOut, a global earthquake drill that teaches everyone how to stay safe when the ground starts shaking. The key steps are simple but lifesaving: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

1. Drop to your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down.
2. Cover your head and neck under a sturdy desk or table. If there’s no shelter nearby, cover your head with your arms and crouch near an interior wall.
3. Hold On to your shelter until the shaking stops.

This year’s drill officially takes place on October 16th, but you can do your own drill at any time. To make the experience real, my family, friends, and I joined in the ShakeOut drill this week. We practiced in our living room, timing how long it took for everyone to get to safety. “It felt weird pretending there was an earthquake,” said my brother, “but now I know what to do if one happens.” 

After the drill, we discussed creating an emergency kit and planning safe meeting spots. The drill lasted just a few minutes, but it made a big difference; we’re all a little more prepared now. 

To participate, go to ShakeOut.org/register and pledge your family, school, business, or organization’s participation in the drill. Registered participants will receive information on how to plan their drill and involve others. At the minimum practice one of the recommended protective actions listed at ShakeOut.org/dropcoverholdon. It is only a one-minute commitment for something that can save your life. 

By Colleen Becht-Foltz, American Red Cross Gift Planning Officer

Being prepared is a key principle of the American Red Cross. So, throughout the month of August, we are encouraging folks to plan ahead and organize their financial affairs.

Have you been putting off preparing or updating your will because, like so many of us, you found the process complicated? You can complete a will in 3 steps or less. 

Step 1:   
Download our free “Touching the Future,” guide and workbook now to help make this process simpler at Redcrosslegacy.org/workbook. This booklet provides a convenient place to gather all your important information concerning your assets, documents and wishes. This informative, easy-to-use resource is also a powerful tool for creating a will that reflects your values, looks after the well-being of family and friends, and honors the causes that have been important in your life.

Step 2:   
Once you are ready to take the next step in being prepared, the Red Cross has partnered with FreeWill to provide a free, secure, online tool that takes you step-by-step through the planning process. When visiting  FreeWill.com/Redcross, you will be asked questions that will help you decide how you would like to be remembered. If complex situations arise, FreeWill will indicate when additional legal council should be consulted.   

Step 3:   
If you have a simple estate, you can print your legal FreeWill will to be signed and witnessed.  If your estate is more complex, you will be prepared with the right questions to discuss with an attorney.   

That’s it!! 

If you already have a will, you’ll want to examine it periodically to make sure it continues to reflect your wishes.

Your will is one of the most personal and important financial documents in your life. Without a legitimate will, you can’t be sure how your affairs and assets will be handled. Many Red Cross supporters are making the choice to be prepared, and we hope you will too.

For questions or further conversation on strengthening your readiness, contact Colleen Becht-Foltz, gift planning officer serving Pennsylvania, at 215-380-3291 or Colleen.BechtFoltz@redcross.org.

By Samantha Munro

Who do we serve? Do you know the answer? Is it an easy one? Or one that involves some thought? Whatever your answer is, include yourself in that! Is it shocking that I would say that?

When we think of being of service, we often think of those less fortunate or those around us. We rarely think of ourselves! Just as others in times of need, whether big or small, may need us to be of service to them, we too have times in our lives when we need someone’s words of wisdom, understanding, or help.

When those who are often the caretakers and givers – whether it be at work, at home, or being a volunteer – are not afraid to ask for help. This helps them become even better in their service to others!

When you know the power that a helping hand holds in your own life, you seek to make sure others know that power as well, as it becomes the greatest gift that keeps on giving!

It is due to my own experience on being on both sides, being the giver and also needing help, even when help was not available. It’s these things that have motivated me to bring the attention of services not only to others but to oneself, as it truly makes for a much happier, healthier, and better world overall!