Spreading the Love, One Donation at a Time

The year was 1968. Fall was in full swing, and 14-year-old Christine Camann was sanding her family’s porch with bright orange Rust-Oleum. For a moment, she wondered whether they should leave it that color for the season’s festivities.

But another thought lingered in the back of her mind.

Is my dad going to be okay?

Christine’s father was scheduled to undergo surgery to replace two valves in his heart. The family had been told to expect him to remain in intensive care for about a week following the procedure. Instead, to Christine’s surprise, he returned home that same day. “They can’t do the surgery,” her father told the family. “They don’t have enough blood.”

Both Christine and her father were O negative. O-negative red blood cells can be given to patients of any blood type, making them especially valuable in emergencies. But for people with O-negative blood, the compatibility does not work in reverse—they can receive only O-negative red blood cells. For Christine, the importance of an adequate blood supply suddenly became deeply personal.

“I resolved right then that I didn’t want anybody else ever to be in a situation where the doctors couldn’t take care of them because they didn’t have enough blood,” Christine recalled. “I felt bad because I couldn’t donate. I was only 14.”

At the time, donors had to be at least 18 years old. Christine did not specify exactly when she made her first donation, but the experience with her father became part of what would inspire a decades-long commitment to giving blood.

Over the years, Christine found more reasons to continue. She read stories about patients who depended on donated blood. She knew people personally, including her father, whose medical care had been affected by its availability. And sometimes, a few weeks after giving blood, she would receive a notification letting her know where her donation had gone. Some of those messages told her that her blood had helped premature babies.

For Christine, those reminders connected the donation process to the people on the other side of it. A little time spent donating could mean something much larger for a patient or family in need.

As the years passed, the donations added up.

Christine received milestone pins recognizing how many gallons of blood she had given. Eventually, she lost count of them. She knew she had passed 10 gallons, but the recognition was never what kept her returning. Then she received notice that she had reached 20 gallons. A larger milestone pin made its mark.

“Maybe I oughtta get this one!” she said.

Christine has also watched the donation experience evolve through the years. As the Red Cross has strengthened and refined its screening process, donor questionnaires have become more detailed, while advances in technology have helped make other parts of the donation process faster and more efficient.

There is one change, however, that Christine remembers particularly well: the snacks. Years ago, organizations sponsoring blood drives were responsible for providing refreshments. Donors were encouraged to drink water or fruit juice and eat a snack after giving blood. When churches hosted drives, Christine remembers homemade treats, including pies, appearing at the refreshment table.

Today, donors are more likely to find prepackaged snacks. “I understand the reasons for prepackaged foods,” Christine said, “but boy, I thought the homemade stuff was a really good deal!” The refreshments are not the only thing that has made Christine’s donation experiences memorable. She typically donates four to six times a year and does not always encounter the same staff members. Still, some manage to remember her.

It may have something to do with the cow.

During a blood donation, donors are often given something soft to squeeze in their hand. Christine began bringing her own—a small rubber cow whose legs she could lock her fingers around while donating. The cow developed a reputation of its own. “Oh, you’re the one that has the cow!” Christine recalled hearing from staff members. Over time, she joked, the cow gained a little “infamy.”

The homemade pies, milestone pins and infamous cow bring humor to Christine’s memories, but beneath them is the same motivation that began decades ago with a 14-year-old girl worrying about her father. She knows what a blood donation can mean when someone needs it.

For anyone who has never donated but is considering it, Christine points to how much impact can come from a relatively small investment of time and effort.

“It’s amazing what a little time and effort can do for other people in need,” she said. “Go for it, that’s what I would say.”

After decades of giving, Christine’s story is marked not only by incredible commitment, but by the care, consistency and generosity behind each donation. From the pledge she made at 14 to the many donations that followed, her motivation has remained rooted in helping others when they need it most.

In Christine’s words, it comes down to something incredibly impactful but quite simple:

“Just spread the love.”

There is a critical need for blood donors as the readily available blood supply reached a four-year summer low. You can spread the love by helping to ensure that patients receive the lifesaving care they need by making an appointment to donate. 

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the free Red Cross Blood Donor app to find an appointment nearest you.

Written by: Cinnamon Morris, Communications Volunteer, Red Cross of WNY

‘We Met Miss Wanda’: How a Local Red Cross Disaster Worker Brought Comfort to Spokane Wildfire Evacuees

“I have a small, assisted living business, managing two adult family homes in north Spokane. On Saturday, I was doing my errands and one of my caregivers called me and said that we’ve been told to evacuate. I knew there were fires and a lot of smoke, but I didn’t know that it was going to affect our area. They told us to go to the shelter at the convention center.”

From there, Rose Chebe prepared her residents, staff of caregivers and her own family to transition to the American Red Cross evacuation shelter at the Spokane Convention Center.

“We got everybody in the cars and they told us to go to the convention center. We had 12 of my residents, caregivers and my husband, daughter and I. Everybody panicked. Then we met Miss Wanda.”

Wanda Martinez-Johncox serves as a Community Disaster Program Specialist in the Greater Rochester chapter in the Western New York region. Before starting her role in 2019, she served as a Greater Rochester Board member and Red Cross volunteer for six years, deploying to disasters big and small here at home and across the country.

She is now one of hundreds of Red Cross disaster workers providing safe shelter, meals and snacks, health and mental health support and relief items to those affected by the devastating wildfires in Spokane, Washington.

“It’s one Red Cross. Without being a volunteer first, I couldn’t have understood what it’s like to be on the ground and deploy. I use what I learned as a volunteer. I’m just trying to make them comfortable. Even if it’s just a hug or a laugh. Simple things like that make it more comfortable because it’s hard. I’m just grateful to be here to help out. We’re here for you.”

Two elderly members of Chebe’s group required a medical bed to help keep them elevated during their stay. While she was able to find housing for everyone after a two-night stay at the shelter, Chebe says the support provided to them by the Red Cross and people like Wanda was a blessing.

“She made it easier to be out of our homes and comfortable. It makes me feel good that we have somebody that caring. That’s what you need when you transition to a place like this. In a disaster, you don’t know where to start but when you meet good people like Wanda, it makes you feel comfortable. She has a big heart, she’s in the right job.”

Amid renewed alerts for potential evacuations, Chebe was back at the shelter a few days later – this time, however, just to embrace someone she now calls a lifelong friend.

“I came to see Miss Wanda. This is my girl. She can come back and visit me because without her I don’t know how we would’ve done it.”

The Red Cross continues to support relief efforts in Spokane and respond to multiple states to support the families and communities impacted by other massive fires burning across the West.

You can help support families depending on the Red Cross for assistance now by making a donation or signing up to volunteer at redcross.org

A Mother's Mission, A Son's Strength: Fighting for Sickle Cell Warriors

As Executive Director of Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo, Melaney Agahiu’s mission is to educate and advocate for Sickle Cell Warriors across the community.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people turn a blind eye when they, unless it hits home. It’s easy to just ignore. I challenge people to learn about sickle cell and how it impacts people, and how they can help.”

For Melaney, that challenge is especially personal. Her son, 18-year-old Drew Agahiu, is a warrior himself.

“Initially, I was coming into Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo for support. Then it turned into a lot of volunteering. Sometimes it’s just being able to talk to someone who just gets it.”

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the United States, and it’s estimated that more than 100,000 people have sickle cell nationwide. Sickle cell disease distorts soft, round blood cells, turning them hard and crescent-shaped, which can lead to severe pain, tissue and organ failure, anemia, infections and strokes.

Throughout their journey, Drew and Melaney have been fortunate to be surrounded by a large community of supporters each making an impact, from family, friends, their Sickle Cell Warriors of Buffalo family – and a community of strangers nationwide.

“It means a lot to me,” Drew explained. “I feel like blood donors give a lot of support to me. Actually, they give 100 percent support to me. It’s hard to put into words.”

For warriors like Drew, regular blood and platelet transfusions are critical to managing extreme pain and life-threatening complications caused by sickle cell. After receiving multiple transfusions over the course of his treatment, Drew began receiving monthly apheresis transfusions two years ago.

“If it weren’t for people donating blood, Drew would probably be in a much worse condition,” Melaney said. “Before that, it was 6 or 7 hospital admissions a year. You know, it would be maybe 5 days to, you know, 6 to 8 weeks that he would be in the hospital, and that would include a handful of ICU admissions. Now, he probably has one hospital admission a year, maybe. It’s a blessing. He still obviously experiences pain and has crises, but oftentimes we can manage it at home, and I know for a fact that’s because of the transfusions.”

Noting her son’s extra energy as a result, Drew was quick to agree with a smile. 

“Now that we’ve been doing it once a month, that’s been a big change for me and it’s helping with my pain.”

That’s why Melaney says her work challenging the public to educate themselves on sickle cell is doubly important.  

Transfusions rely heavily on donors who carry CEK-negative antigens, which provides the best blood match and helps alleviate symptoms for those fighting sickle cell. Blood donors who are African American are nearly three times more likely to be CEK-negative than donors of a different race or ethnicity.

“Why is it important for people to donate blood?” Melaney asked. “It’s because it saved his life and other Sickle Cell Warriors. I can speak firsthand. I see the night and day.”

Drew agreed, “Don’t be afraid. You’re the biggest help to sickle cell warriors. Your support helps me to be there to hang out with friends or enjoy special moments.”

As our nation observes Juneteenth and World Sickle Cell Day on Friday, June 19, the Red Cross is honoring sickle cell warriors like Drew, the light they carry and the community of blood donors who surround them.

Every donation helps patients continue to thrive. The Red Cross encourages eligible donors of all backgrounds to make an appointment to give blood and help ensure patients with sickle cell disease have access to the lifesaving transfusions they need.

Those who come to give blood June 1-28, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice and be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,500 gift cards.

Make an appointment to donate by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Written by: Meg Rossman, American Red Cross of WNY

Five Sisters, One Mission: A Family's Lifelong Commitment to Service

When you grow up in a family of nine siblings – seven girls and two boys – it’s only natural that you’d become skilled in the art of “give and take.” 

For the Travis (maiden name) sisters Martha (Hanley), Betsy (Simpson), Sarah (Sennett), Susan and Nancy (Tellier), the giving part was especially mastered as all five have volunteered for the American Red Cross at some point.  Four are currently volunteering (Nancy recently stepped away from her role) for the American Red Cross, three in the Western New York Region and one, Betsy, in Florida’s Palm Coast Chapter as she splits time between Vero Beach, Florida and her home in Geneseo.

While Nancy was not able to participate in a recent group conversation, the enthusiasm for, and dedication to volunteering with the Red Cross readily flowed from the very close-knit group. For most of the Travis sisters, their experience with the Red Cross started out as blood donors and many have served as volunteer Blood Donor Ambassadors.

“I remember my first donation attempt was in high school (West Irondequoit). They had a drive at our high school, so I was 17 at that time,” said Susan, recounting that she could not donate because “I was nice and skinny then, too underweight. But I didn't give up, kept trying.”

School was also the backdrop for Betsy’s desire to help others through blood donation.

“I started donating in college (SUNY Potsdam) - freshman year in college - and same thing,” she said, piggybacking off Susan’s experience.  “Sometimes I was able to donate, sometimes not because of anemia mainly.”

By the time 1992 rolled around, many of the Travis girls had become regular blood donors. They were also already passing along the importance of giving to the next generation.

“Susan and I are twins, and our girls (Sarah’s daughter Elizabeth, and Susan’s daughter Laura) were born only a day and a half apart” Sarah shared, adding yet another layer to the unique, close bond of the sisters. 

“They had just started kindergarten, and we went to Red Cross on Prince Street to donate blood, Susan and I. The girls wanted to give blood and Susan and I told them they couldn’t because they were too little. We said, ‘next time we come to donate, you can bring a toy.’ So, the next time we went to give blood, weeks later, we let them each bring a toy to donate into this toy box they had in the waiting area.

“Really this was just doing it for the girls' sake so that they could give, like we were giving blood. Somewhere, someone got word the PR office or something. This lady came down with a photographer, and they took their picture and information. It was so sweet. They followed up even a month or two later with a newsletter and a printout of the picture.”

“I just love that story because that's how the Red Cross, I think, still exists; they're so appreciative. Anything you can do, you do your part. I think Susan feels the same way. It just grabbed me that they took that regard and care and followed up and all that,” said Sarah, explaining how the pull to be involved with the Red Cross grew even stronger.

“So, between 1992, and 2001, we just donated blood. We both worked full-time, so we weren't doing drives or anything.”

Beyond Sarah’s brief role as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) volunteer in the mid-1990s, it was the tragic events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 that inspired Sarah and Susan to jump into an ongoing, formal volunteer role with the Red Cross.

“That's when we signed up to be full-time volunteers. It was because of 9/11,” Susan stated, asking her twin, Sarah for confirmation.

Right on cue, the same memory comes back to Sarah.

“Oh, that rings a bell. And that's the same year we started volunteering full-time for blood services – 2001.”

Having her sisters involved with her wasn’t enough for Sarah.  She pulled her husband, Mark, into the fold as well. 

“When he retired. I was still working, but then that's when we joined - in September, following 9-11, which I'm sure drew lots of people into volunteerism.”

Similar to Sarah, Susan also engaged in DAT responses, from around 2003 to 2005, before she began to deploy nationally to continue to serve those experiencing disaster.

“Afterwards, I did Katrina. That's how I tried to stay in it,” Susan said, explaining her first deployment was in response to one of the worst disasters in U.S. history.

The “twin effect” often surfaced during the storytelling, with Sarah and Susan at times finishing each other’s sentences or having similar, shared experiences.

One of the benefits of Susan’s service during Katrina was the opportunity to meet an individual who would become one of her best friends.

“We stayed in touch. She just died last year. Sarah became friends with her too. This is a funny story. So, Sarah later deployed to Texas. And this friend of mine (Pat) was also deploying to Texas. She lived in Knoxville, Illinois and I had gone to visit her a couple of times.

“And I said, well, look for Sarah and she said ‘oh yeah, she looks just like you. I'll look for her. And Sarah was going to look for her because I'd shown Sarah what Pat looked like. And weren't they standing together at the dome in Texas?”

Sarah jumps right in, continuing the story.

“It was Hurricane Harvey, headquarters pre-storm, in Houston, and there had to be 300 Red Crossers in that room, just like ants packed in because they brought everybody in pre-storm. And then she saw me - I'm tall and Susan's tall. She came up and tapped me on the shoulder. She was maybe 78-80 at the time. And this woman's amazing… she tapped me shoulder and asked, ‘are you Susan's sister’? This little white-haired lady behind me was so cute. And then we became fast friends. Mark (Sarah’s husband) was on that deployment as well, so Mark and I sent a picture of her to Susan.”

Volunteering for the Red Cross is just one part of the history of shared experience for these five Travis sisters as Betsy explained that all five also worked for the New York court system at the Monroe County Hall of Justice.

“Sarah and Susan started the blood drives in the courthouse at the Hall of Justice, and I was giving blood during those,” Betsy states.  “Then I got a promotion and moved out to the Ontario County courthouse in Canandaigua. So, then I started blood drives there and did that from 2010 to 2020, when I retired. 

“Then I came down to Florida, and I'm like, ‘I really want to do something’. So, Sarah and her husband, Mark, were deploying to Naples and Sanibel Island for Hurricane Ian (2022) and I did all the training, and I got to deploy with them. I was lucky enough to do it with Sarah and Mark - I was a newbie. After that, we did Milton and we did the Nashville Ice Storm.”

That concurrent deployment of Betsy, Sarah and Mark was the closest the Travis clan has had to all of them working together, though Susan immediately chimes in that “that’s the goal for me, we all go together!”

Martha, a retired Wayne County Schools Speech Teacher and Ontario, NY resident, is the eldest of the sisters who volunteer, yet also content to let her sisters tell the family story before sharing that she, too, started her tenure as a volunteer for blood drives.

“I started as a Blood Donor Ambassador (BDA), two years before COVID, and I think my sisters are my inspirations. You know, they were doing blood drives and I was giving blood. My husband gives blood, double reds always. I saw them in blood drives and donation centers and thought, ‘I could do this’. So, I did. And then last year, 2025, they had a DCS boot camp. So, Susan, myself, and our friend Jane decided to do the boot camp. We thought that was done, that was all for the training. But then there was lots of training after that! So, I’m already doing local DAT for Wayne County, and I've done mass care and sheltering.” 

When asked to share some of their most memorable moments serving with the Red Cross, Betsy was eager to respond.

“So, we went to Hurricane Ian and I think we were in the Naples area and doing the mass feeding. We were going out and it kept raining and it kept reflooding and reflooding. But we kept going with the ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) and feeding them. I kind of got to know the ladies and stuff. And they were really sweet. Every day they would teach me some Spanish language and they were just really, really nice.”

“The last day they brought me little handmade things,” Betsy recalls. “We were all crying and it was so sad that we had to leave.”

Susan immediately responds with a similar but unique experience.

“It's so funny. My passport cover is an alligator red leather passport cover that one of the co-volunteers bought for me. It's still my passport cover today. So, people were great. Everybody, the residents within the shelters were phenomenal, and your co-workers were phenomenal.  It was an amazing experience. Really, what I say about my experience, at least with Katrina - and all the volunteerism - you get more out of it than you give.”

Martha quickly adds that her local experience provides a reward as well.

“I've been training for mass care and for feeding, ready to go, but not lucky (to deploy) like my sisters. But local DAT is very meaningful too, I feel.”

Sarah also shared how she has been touched by the gratitude of those she has helped.

“It was (Hurricane) Matthew back in 2016. This young couple, their names escaped me right now…but we fell in love with them, who we're still friends with on Facebook, all the other clients and stuff. And they came up to me, and they said - still makes me cry – ‘you really made a difference’.

“I don't know, it was weird, but I've just never forgotten how struck I was when they said that to me because I had no clue. But you're being appreciated, even though you might not know it.”

What’s even more striking is that this group of sisters is not the first generation of the Travis family to volunteer for the Red Cross and other organizations. Their mother, Anne, served as a Blood Donor Ambassador from 2001-2005 and is part of their inspiration for serving today.

“It's funny because I met somebody at Red Cross last week and I did this event out in Hamlin,” Susan says. “He goes, ‘are you a Travis?’ He remembered my mom, me and Sarah, because we did Meals on Wheels. We've all done other volunteer work too. I have a special needs daughter. I volunteer for that agency.”

For Martha, it comes down to something more simple.

“Reaching out and community is important. I don't know, I just like to help people and I believe my sisters are all the same way. And Mark, of course, we know that about Mark, our wonderful brother-in-law.”

As all of the sisters compliment their brother-in-law, Sarah states that they have been married for 43 years as of October.  With a quick grin, her twin, Susan, jokes that “he’s only kissed me once by mistake.”

When asked if working alongside your sisters makes it an extra special volunteer experience, Susan responds in a more serious tone.

“Damn straight. It's like when we all worked together in the court system. We have this tie and we can get together and we get to talk about experiences and people we met and trying to do it together when we can. And just what a great experience we've all been able to share and that we've all gotten the amazing feeling from volunteering for the Red Cross.”