Red Cross team member shares ‘full circle’ experiences that inspire her to give back

Sarah Judkins says she didn’t fully appreciate the constant need for blood donors – even when she began working for the American Red Cross.

It wasn’t until a year later when she was called away from work at a blood drive due to a family emergency. She learned that her brother was experiencing complications from a planned surgical procedure, and upon arriving at the hospital still wearing her scrubs from the blood drive, the first thing she saw hanging over his bed was a unit of donated blood.

It was at that moment Sarah made a deep-rooted connection. “This is what I do every day, and now it has touched my family personally,” she recalled thinking at the time. She says her brother would’ve lost his life that day had he not received multiple blood transfusions made possible by volunteer blood donors.

Sarah experienced additional “full circle” moments years later when her mother, Jane, who suffered from a degenerative bone disease, went to the hospital for a seventh hip surgery and needed platelets in order to move forward with the procedure. Eight months later, Jane again received donor blood in the form of plasma, platelets and red cells when she underwent open heart surgery.

A regular donor herself, Sarah currently gives platelets and plasma and has rolled up her sleeves 14 times already this year alone in order to make a difference for others facing the unexpected.

This summer, Sarah honored the anniversary of her mother’s passing by donating blood, accompanied by an unusual guest, “Phyllis the Flamingo” (pictured). Phyllis was a gift from Sarah’s mother – renowned for practical jokes – and ended up being the last gift her mother ever gave her. Around the time Sarah received Phyllis, her mother was unable to join the family on a summer vacation, so Phyllis came along for the journey instead.  Sarah documented it all in a special photo album that was gifted back to Jane to help lift her spirits on the morning of her cardiac surgery.

Today, Sarah says she looks at Phyllis and smiles not only remembering her mother, but also celebrating the precious gift of time that blood donors gave her family for the eight months between her mother’s surgeries.

She finds meaning working with Red Cross collections team because it places her close to the organization’s mission and allows her to help ensure donors have a great experience and return for future donations. During this uncertain time, the Red Cross needs healthy, eligible individuals to give blood or platelets for patients battling disease and facing the unexpected, now and in the weeks and months to come. 

Appointments can be scheduled through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-RED-CROSS.

"Not every family is touched by the need for blood and my family was impacted by blood donors more than once,” Sarah remarked. “Next time it may be someone else’s family who has that critical need and I want to be sure I am doing my part to be there for them.”

Story by: Katie Potter, American Red Cross 

Western New York Region Remembers John "Jack" Miller

 

Jack Miller: December 13, 1928 - July 22, 2020

"Take an hour to save a life." That was the self-proclaimed motto of Jack Miller, an Auburn resident and lifelong American Red Cross blood donor and volunteer. Jack passed away in July, leaving behind his loving wife and family, and an incredible legacy of community giving.  

Jack started donating blood in 1949 while attending the University of Pennsylvania. By the time he retired from Sylvania Electronics Corporation, Jack had donated 104 pints of blood, an impressive 13 gallons! In his retirement, Jack began to dedicate even more time to the Red Cross by becoming a volunteer with the Cayuga County blood services team. 

He began his support of the organization phoning donors, coordinating blood drives, and transporting donations, all while continuing to roll up his own sleeve to give the gift of life anytime he was eligible. In June 2000, after 52 years and 340 units donated (120 whole blood, 143 platelet, and 77 plasma), Jack was deferred indefinitely due to a condition that required he take blood thinning medication.

Jack viewed his inability to continue to give blood as simply “another door opening.” That same year, he turned his time and tireless efforts each and every month toward managing a regular blood drive held at the United Methodist Church in Auburn. This special drive soon became known as “Jack’s Drive,” the output of which he proudly grew by more than double, consistently averaging 100 donors or more and impacting tens of thousands of lives over the years.

Jack knew how important his drive was to our blood supply, and in turn he was known to run a tight ship. Each month, he made over 300 calls to area donors – some multiple times – to ensure his drive would be a success. He ran registration and would make sure there were copies of the local paper on hand just in case of a wait. After each month’s drive, Jack sent personal thank you letters and recognized milestone donations.

“When I think about Jack, it brings a smile to my face. I can still see him with one of his many Red Cross T-shirts on, which he wore with such pride,” said Roberta Kryk, a Red Cross Account Manager in Rochester.

As time passed and Jack began stepping back from his 110% hands-on approach, he would still stop in each month with his wife, Dot, to ensure things were running to his expectations (and collect his favorite Cheez-Its from the refreshment area).

“Jack’s commitment to the local blood donors and hospital recipients is well-known and respected by many. His personal touch and sense of caring paired with a tenacious spirit made him a shining star in our Red Cross family, and he will be greatly missed” said Shawn O’Hargan, Regional Market Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services.

Over the years, he built a resume of accolades including Volunteer of the Year (2001-2002), Individual Outstanding Contributions Award (2004), Blood Services Volunteer Award and Real Heroes Blood Donor Award (2013).

The Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Jack’s memory in the coming months at the Auburn United Methodist Church where his monthly drive took place, honoring his more than two decades stewarding the Red Cross’ lifesaving mission.

The Miller family has asked that any contributions in Jack’s memory be made to the American Red Cross, 825 John Street, West Henrietta, NY 14586 (Memo: In Memory of Jack Miller).

Story by: Katie Potter, American Red Cross 

"Smiles for Seth" Blood Drive Held in Eight-Year-Old's Memory

‘Smiles for Seth’ Fire Safety Event to Resume in 2021

On August 13, 2020, the American Red Cross hosted a blood drive in memory of Seth Creenan at Glendale Elementary School. In 2018, Seth was in third grade when he tragically passed away at eight years old due to a fire in his family’s Tonawanda home. 

Mike Zekas, Seth Creenan’s grandfather, standing in front of a mural at Glendale Elementary School (Seth is the child holding the sign in the mural).

“The school district played a huge part in our healing process, their outreach to us was amazing,” said Mike Zekas, Seth’s grandfather. 

Seth’s family agreed to honor him through a blood drive this year after plans for the second annual Smiles for Seth fire safety and prevention event were put on hold due to COVID-19. The blood drive was successful, collecting 24 units of blood, which can help save up to 72 lives. The need for blood is constant, even during a pandemic. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control.

The goal of the Smiles for Seth event is to work together with local fire departments and the Red Cross to increase awareness of the importance of fire safety among families -- and ultimately save lives. The first event was arranged in June 2019 with the help of Seth’s family, Glendale Elementary School administration and local  Red Cross leadership. 

The Red Cross provided assistance to Zekas’ family immediately following the October 2018 house fire by arranging hotel accommodations. Later on, when a local Red Cross board member learned that a fire safety event in Seth’s memory was in the works, they offered to incorporate the Sound the Alarm program.  

“The Red Cross has been on board with us through the entire process and they were just as disappointed as we are about not being able to do the event this year,” Zekas added. 

Zekas hopes the event will continue to help capture parents’ attention. “The fire departments will come to the school and often do a fire drill at the school and hand out pamphlets to take home, and a lot of the time the parents don't really pay attention,” said Zekas. “Statistics show that there are not a lot of school fires, there are a lot of fires at home.” 

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape?

Does your family have an escape plan?

Have you practiced that escape plan? 

Do you have smoke alarms? 

When is the last time you checked to make sure your smoke alarms are working? 

It is important to educate yourself, educate your family and be prepared.

“If we can prevent one family from going through what we have gone through, then we have done our job,” said Zekas

The stage was set for this year’s Smiles for Seth event to expand, with plans to involve each elementary school and all of the local fire companies after the Sweet Home district superintendent witnessed the impact Smiles for Seth had in 2019. Zekas is thankful for the continued support from the community, and hopes to resume the event in 2021 when community members can safely attend. 

In times of crisis, the Red Cross is fortunate to witness the best of humanity as people roll up a sleeve to help those in need. Because about 80% of blood donations are made at drives hosted by community organizations, schools and businesses, the Red Cross urgently needs the help of both blood donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients. Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.  

Blood and platelet donors can make an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or by enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Story by: Nicole Mauro, American Red Cross

A Birthday Blood Donation Tradition

Eilish Cumbo celebrates her 30th birthday by
making her 56th blood donation

“Happy birthday to you...” is a tune we expect to hear at a family gathering, in an elementary school classroom or even at a restaurant. But at a blood donation center? 

Buffalo resident, Eilish Cumbo, recently flipped the script on the traditional birthday celebration. The Western New York Red Cross board member and regular blood donor is so dedicated, she scheduled her 56th blood donation – putting her at the 7 gallon mark – to take place on her 30th birthday as a special way to mark both major milestones.

She shares that growing up, both of her parents were regular blood donors.  Eilish can remember tagging along to their blood donation appointments. While there, the canteen volunteer would tell Eilish and her siblings they could have a cookie, but only if they promised to donate blood when they got older. She made good on her promise and started donating blood at the age of 16, and hasn’t stopped yet.

While there isn’t a specific story or occurrence tied to why she gives, she says, “I know someone out there needs it, and that is enough of a reason for me.” That person could be a trauma patient, someone fighting cancer, an organ transplant recipient or a sickle cell warrior. Eilish has type O- blood, so she knows her donation is especially important to helping patients in emergency situations.  A busy full-time job, completing (multiple!) advanced degrees, and even a global pandemic couldn’t pause Eilish’s commitment to giving lifesaving blood.

“Knowing that I am doing something small - and very easy - to help others is what motivates me to

WNY Chapter Board Member, Eilish Cumbo,
has donated seven gallons of blood so far

donate, and what led me to join the Board of Directors for the WNY American Red Cross so that I can make an even greater impact on the community,” she explained. “Every blood donation can help save up to three lives, so that is 168 people that may have been helped by my small action. Not a bad impact for fulfilling that promise to get a cookie.”

Want to start a new birthday tradition of your own? The American Red Cross urges healthy individuals to give blood or platelets for patients battling disease and facing the unexpected. Each day, the American Red Cross needs to collect nearly 13,000 blood donations and more than 2,600 platelet donations to meet the needs of patients at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. If you are feeling well, please make an appointment to give by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Story and Photos by: Katie Potter, American Red Cross
External Communications Manager

COVID-19 Drives Board Member to Donate Blood After 30-Year Hiatus

WNY Chapter Board Member, Mark Meyerhofer,
donating blood at the Union Road Donation Center
in Cheektowaga in June 2020

Mark Meyerhofer, a Board Member with the American Red Cross, Western New York Chapter, donated blood last month for the first time since he was in high school. He was understandably hesitant throughout the years after fainting the last time around. Now, just over 30 years later, he decided to give it another shot. 

The Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed, but locations still welcoming donors are taking extensive precautions to help minimize the possibility of exposure and keep donors safe. In other words, there is no better time than now to take action, and Meyerhofer answered the call. 

“Right away, they put you at ease,” said Meyerhofer. “The door is locked when you arrive, someone comes out to escort you, they check your temperature at the door and again when you are doing your screening. They went above and beyond and I want to stress that.”

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. To ensure the health of staff and donors, precautions include:

• Checking temperatures of staff and donors before entering a drive to make sure they are healthy. 
• Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering the drives, as well as throughout the donation process.
• Following social distancing between donors including entry, donation and refreshment areas.
• Ensuring face masks or coverings are worn by both staff and donors.
• Routinely disinfecting surfaces, equipment and donor-touched areas.

While tens of thousands of donors gave blood in response to an initial blood shortage caused by this coronavirus outbreak, it’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days, so they must constantly be replenished.

In retrospect, Meyerhofer decided to donate at the perfect time. 

“By the time I went to donate, we were at the point of elective surgeries restarting and of course you need blood supply for that,” said Meyerhofer. 

And this time, things went much smoother as his fears of fainting subsided. 

“I am happy to do it, and it was a good experience. I already signed up for my next appointment in August!”

Meyerhofer has held a position on the Red Cross WNY Chapter Board since the fall of 2019. He currently works at Charter Communications in Buffalo, NY as the director of government relations. He began collaborating with the Red Cross when Charter Communications sponsored the Red Cross’ annual Sound the Alarm event in early 2018.

Meyerhofer’s reasons for accepting the board position and donating again go beyond the ramifications of COVID-19. Supporting those who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces has always been part of the mission of the Red Cross, and that resonated with Meyerhofer. 

“My father, who passed away almost a year ago, served in the Korean War and he had always talked about his affinity for the Red Cross because they had helped him when he was deployed and needed to get back home to his father who had fallen ill,” said Meyerhofer. “My dad had said all of his life that he would continue to give to the Red Cross until his dying days in return for what they did for him. It was always near and dear to him, therefore there had always been that personal connection for me.”

Meyerhofer encourages anyone who is considering donating, or like himself, has not donated in a long time, to start the conversation and hear others’ experiences. 

“It’s about finding a way to help out and give back,” said Meyerhofer. “I love that you are able to track exactly where your blood goes through the app, it makes it even more rewarding.”

You can download the Red Cross Blood Donor App today and schedule an appointment. As a humanitarian organization, we are committed to helping others in meaningful ways during this pandemic. The Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies to provide donors insight into whether they may have been exposed to this coronavirus. To learn more, visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Story by: Nicole Mauro, American Red Cross

Communications Volunteer

Providing Customer Service as a Blood Services Volunteer

“I bring to my job, whatever I do, the customer service I learned at Wegmans,” says Red Cross volunteer, Sue Kirkland. “Treat customers the way I would hope they would treat me.”

Sue Kirkland and her canine companion Susie

After retiring from Wegmans in 2018, Kirkland immediately restarted an old habit that dated back to her high school days: donating blood every two months. While donating on February 6, she mentioned to one of the Red Cross team members that she’d be interested in becoming a volunteer as well.

“I came on board just in time for COVID!”, Kirkland said. She was scheduled to work in her initial role as a Blood Donor Ambassador at Kenmore West High School in Western New York the first day the Red Cross began requiring health screenings for staff and donors prior to entering a blood drive to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. She stepped in as Blood Drive Screener that day, asking health questions, taking temperatures and providing hand sanitizer for everyone as they entered the drive.

“Baptism by fire,” Kirkland says. “I just did it, then it became the norm.” Of course, there is very little normal about these uncertain times, and additional precautions have since been added to ensure the safety of everyone entering any Red Cross facility or community blood drive, including wearing face masks. Kirkland says everyone has been grateful for the safety measures the Red Cross has implemented, including herself.

“At one of the first drives, someone pointed out that I’m in a higher risk group being over 60, and asked if I felt comfortable,” she says. “I feel confident in what I’ve been doing to keep myself safe so that I can keep others safe.”

Kirkland also says she’s comfortable in knowing that the Red Cross staff, especially her supervisor, Aaron Wilson, will be there to support her if she ever does have a question or concern. She says the staff and her fellow volunteers have been phenomenal during this outbreak, and on the rare times during her 1-2 volunteer shifts a week when a team member or donor is having a bad day, her customer service background kicks in.

“We’re all feeling a little lost, isolated,” Kirkland says. “I keep in mind that people are coming out trying to help, so I’ll bend over backwards and try to meet them where they are.”

If you’re looking for a way to help, and get out of the house during this coronavirus outbreak, consider joining Sue Kirkland as a Blood Drive or Facilities Screener, asking health questions and taking temperatures with an infrared thermometer as people enter Red Cross facilities or blood drives. There are shifts available across the Western New York region, click this link for more information. And thanks to the efforts of volunteers like Sue, you can also safely make a donation appointment for the weeks ahead to ensure a stable blood supply throughout this pandemic at redcrossblood.org

Story by: Jay Bonafede, Chief Communications Officer

American Red Cross, Western New York Region