A Legacy of Service: Honoring Woody Woodward

Always greeting donors with ‘I’m having a great day,’ Woody inspired a community through his service.

For nearly five years, Woody Woodward volunteered with the American Red Cross, helping organize and run blood drives at the American Legion in Fairmont, Minnesota, where he always welcomed donors with a smile and a warm greeting.

A proud U.S. Navy veteran, Woody believed deeply in helping others, especially fellow veterans, and saw volunteering at blood drives as another way to serve. Though he never needed blood himself, he understood the constant need.

Being the blood program leader meant the world to Woody, especially because it was something he shared with his wife Joann. She recalls how they enjoyed putting up posters around town to advertise each blood drive. On drive days, Woody welcomed donors at the registration table while Joann made sure everyone felt cared for in the refreshment area — offering snacks, conversation, and encouragement to sign up for the next blood drive. In his later years, when mobility became difficult and he relied on a wheelchair, blood drives became more than volunteer work; they became a lifeline.

“Woody loved greeting people at the registration table,” Joann shared. “He looked forward to every blood drive. It was one of his greatest pleasures and was his way of pushing back against what was happening with his own health.”

Woody lived with congestive heart failure and diabetes and carried the long-term effects of Agent Orange exposure from his military service. Even so, he never let illness define him. Instead, he showed up to every blood drive with a smile, a greeting, and a genuine happiness in seeing people walk through the door.

“When asked how he was doing, he’d always reply, ‘Great — I’m having a good day,’” Joann said.

Woody formed friendships with regular donors and Red Cross staff alike, quietly becoming a familiar and comforting presence — a beacon of kindness in the community.

Woody passed away on October 23, 2025. To honor his legacy of service, the next blood drive, scheduled for April 17 at the American Legion, will be held in his memory. Coincidentally, the drive falls on his birthday, making the tribute even more meaningful. “Woody would have been so proud to have this blood drive held in his honor,” Joann said. “It’s exactly where he would want to be. He’ll be there in spirit.”

Blake Mathison of the Red Cross blood collections team grew to know Woody well. “Woody was known and loved by every donor who came through the doors,” Mathison said. “He went out of his way to greet first-time donors, joke with them, and make them feel welcome. His glowing personality was contagious. When he passed away the night before his October blood drive last year, word quickly spread. As regular donors came in that day, it was clear many of them had an extra reason to be there.”

At Woody’s request, Joann will now step into the role of American Legion blood program leader, continuing the work they once shared side by side. “I’m honored to carry this on for him,” she said. “And I have so much support from his fellow veterans.”

The blood drive held in his memory honors a man whose heart for service never wavered and whose belief in helping others continues to inspire. In Woody’s honor, we invite others to give — and help make it a good day for someone else, just as he did.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your donation appointment.

The Gift That Returned Her Tomorrow

“Who is this person whose blood is making me feel better? What do they like to do? Could I ever meet them to say thank you?”

Those questions echoed in Elizabeth’s mind countless times during her fight for survival.

When she first felt sick on an April morning in 2021, Elizabeth, from Fairmont, Minnesota, assumed it was food poisoning—just nausea, fatigue, and stomach pain. But when the symptoms lingered, a coworker gently urged her to take it seriously: “Food poisoning doesn’t last that long.” Still unconvinced, Elizabeth stopped by the school nurse at Fairmont High School, where she works as a special education teacher. She expected a brief check-in and instructions to rest.

Instead, the nurse told her, firmly and without hesitation, to go to the emergency room immediately.

Initial tests and pain medication at the hospital offered some reassurance, but by Monday everything changed. A phone call instructed her to get to Rochester immediately. Within twenty-four hours, she was starting chemotherapy. The diagnosis: acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Elizabeth receiving chemotherapy (Photo submitted)

Eight months of treatment began. Her first hospital stay stretched twenty-one days. She walked out on her daughter’s sixteenth birthday—on Mother’s Day—and in remission. The chemo had worked fast, wiping out the cancer cells, but it had also wiped out nearly all of her healthy blood cells.

In that first round alone, Elizabeth needed four to five blood transfusions, plus countless platelet transfusions. As treatment continued, the numbers climbed far beyond anything she ever imagined: more than 120 blood transfusions and nearly 200 platelet transfusions.

Elizabeth, pictured with her oldest daughter Tiffany, receiving a lifesaving blood transfusion—one of more than 120 blood transfusions and nearly 200 platelet transfusions that gave her the strength she needed to continue her chemotherapy treatments. (Photo submitted)

There were days when her blood counts sank so low she could barely stay awake. She remembers receiving a transfusion and, within thirty minutes, feeling her strength return. She tried to stay upbeat—even playful—asking the nurses, “So… is this one going to give me powers?” Humor became her shield against fear.

Because of her rare Rh-negative blood, she often needed specially typed platelets. She would be admitted for days at a time, waiting and hoping that these gifts from strangers—people she would never meet—would take.

She wondered constantly about them.

Who is this person whose blood is making me feel better? What do they like to do? Could I ever meet them to say thank you?

By December 2021, Elizabeth had completed her final chemo treatment. She stepped into survivorship the same way she had entered treatment—determined. This May marked four years since her first remission, and December marks four years cancer-free.

Elizabeth and her daughter Makenzie celebrate her final chemo session, with the same humor that became her shield against fear—proving that laughter really is the best medicine!
(Photo submitted)

Long before she became a patient, Elizabeth had been a donor herself. She started giving blood and plasma at sixteen, encouraged by her mother, who worked in a nursing home and often spoke about ordinary people quietly helping others simply because someone had to. As a high school athlete in the late ’90s, donation felt like just a good thing to do—never something she imagined she would one day depend on for her life.

So when the blood drive coordinator at Fairmont High School retired, Elizabeth didn’t hesitate. She stepped in to lead the program. “These donations saved my life,” she says.

She can’t donate anymore, but she volunteers with the Red Cross because she knows what’s at stake. Somewhere, right now, another parent, another teacher, another human being is lying in a hospital bed waiting for blood—blood that may determine whether they get to see another birthday, another Mother’s Day, another tomorrow.

Her four daughters now donate—or plan to. They watched their mother fight for her life. They saw how every transfusion lifted her back to herself. One of her daughters, an O-negative universal donor, once said, “If someone saved Mom with their blood, the least I can do is give mine to someone else.”

Elizabeth’s daughter Alyssa made her first blood donation in December 2025, keeping it light through the nerves and paying it forward for her mom. “I’m amazing because amazing people donate blood to help save lives. I guess that makes us superheroes!” (Photo submitted)

Elizabeth is proud—not just because her girls donate, but because they understand. “Awareness is learning,” she says. “You can’t expect people to do better if they don’t know.”

So she teaches, just as she does every day in her classroom. When she stands before students at Fairmont High—whether she’s explaining an assignment or sharing her story about blood donation—she knows not everyone will take the message to heart. But some will. And those few may one day help save a life.

She shares her story not to seek sympathy, but to spark action. “If telling my story encourages even one more person to donate, then it’s worth it,” she says.

The Lowry family at Disneyland – December 2021. (Photo submitted)

Elizabeth is alive today because someone donated—someone she will never meet, someone who didn’t know they were saving her. She is living proof of the impact a single donor can make. Now she leads student blood drives, raises awareness, and inspires a new generation of donors, determined to honor the strangers who once saved her life by paying that gift forward.

The Lowry family in Myrtle Beach – June 2025. (Photo submitted)

Your donation could mean the difference between life and loss—for a patient, a parent, a teacher, a mother or a friend. It only takes an hour. It can give someone another tomorrow.

The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O, A negative and B negative blood and those giving platelets, are urged to give now to help people who rely on transfusions for medical care.

Schedule your donation today at RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. Don’t wait. Someone’s life depends on it.

Knox’s story: A young life made brighter by donors

Every transfusion Knox receives is more than just blood. It brings laughter, play, and the simple joy of being a kid.

Knox is the sixth child in his family. His parents, Jessica and Andy, expected another healthy baby – just like his five older siblings. But from the moment Knox arrived, his journey was different. He needed NICU care immediately, and at only two weeks old, he received his first blood transfusion because of a rare disorder that causes his red blood cells to die off far too quickly.

You can see it happen – superhero fuel in action. As Knox receives his transfusion, color returns to his cheeks and his spark comes rushing back. (Photo submitted)

Life for Knox moves in cycles. As his blood levels drop, so does his energy. Headaches, pale skin, leg aches, insomnia, and irritability slowly take over. His parents watch his spark fade, knowing it’s his body pleading for help. Then comes the blood transfusion – and everything changes.

“His cheeks become rosy again. His energy returns. He’s singing in the car, laughing, playing…” says his mom. Nurses see the transformation too as he leaves the hospital each month, but for Knox’s family, it feels nothing short of magic – a reminder of what just one donor can do.

Knox is a typical, energetic four-year-old boy most of the time. “He loves basketball and soccer. He’s always ready to shoot hoops on his Little Tikes set or kick a ball in the yard with his brothers,” Jessica says.

Knox, a typical young boy chasing soccer dreams — and a fighter who depends on blood transfusions for the energy to play. (Photo submitted)

Then the fatigue hits, and he crashes. The child who was just running and smiling becomes quieter, tired, and withdrawn. Yet through it all, he never complains.

“He never asks ‘Why me?’” Jessica shares. “He doesn’t compare himself to his siblings or focus on what he can’t do. He just lives life the only way he knows how – happy and full of spirit. Most people who meet him would never guess what he faces.”

Full of spirit and happiness, Knox lives life to the fullest, despite the challenges no one can see. (Photo submitted)

For Knox’s parents, this journey has transformed what giving means. Before Knox, they had never donated blood – they simply didn’t know how life-changing one donation could be. Now they see each unit of blood as a lifeline: an hour or less of someone’s time that gives their son weeks of energy, joy, and the chance to simply be a kid.

“We never donated before Knox was the one in need,” Jessica regrettably admits. “We didn’t know. But now we do. We understand that blood donors give families like ours the most priceless gift: time, energy, childhood, and life,” she adds.

Their hope in sharing Knox’s story is simple: to build awareness and inspire others to give. “Somewhere out there,” Jessica says, “another child just like Knox will walk out of a hospital with rosy cheeks and a second chance – all because someone took an hour to donate.”

The Dahlberg family (photo submitted)

Stories like Knox’s remind us that blood donations are more than a medical need — they are a lifeline for families facing serious illness. One donation can restore strength, bring hope, and give children moments of normalcy they deserve. To schedule a blood donation appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). One hour can help save lives and change a family’s future.

“Someday I’m going to drive that truck.”

Mickie Mohs- Red Cross Volunteer. Submitted photo.

In 1997, as the dikes broke in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and water flowed across the town and inside homes, people like Mickie Mohs had to flee.

“We ended up leaving during the night about midnight because the water started coming up the street and we didn’t want to be stuck there with our son in a wheelchair and not be able to get out.”

In her view, they ‘got lucky’ because the water stopped short of flooding their entire home. The basement was lost, and the family spent days emptying and mucking it out in the freezing cold of April.

“Well, the cool thing is, and I’ll cry because I cry every damn time, we were cleaning and I looked up the street because I heard something, and it was very quiet in those days because we got in fairly early, and the Red Cross truck was coming down the street.”

Red Cross truck outside home of Mickie Mohs in Grand Forks, 1997. Submitted photo.

The truck carried meals to people in the neighborhood where most were too busy to think much about what or where they could eat. Mickie asked the relief team how much money they wanted for the food, especially because she needed meals for family members and neighbors who were helping them.

“I’m like, I’m going to have to find some cash. And they’re like, no, this is all free. So, we’re all crying because these people are feeding us warm food and we’re so excited and it was good.”

The truck returned over the coming days. The experience stuck with Mickie. She made a promise to herself. “I always said, someday I’m going to drive the truck and I’m going to go feed somebody else who needs that.”

And she did. It took a long time. In fact, decades went by. Her husband and son passed. And yet the promise to herself remained and after finding new love and retiring she fulfilled it in 2024 when she drove a Red Cross truck to help people affected by Hurricane Helene in the southern states.

Now, learning how to drive the truck and everything that comes with it took some training, but once completed it was more a matter of resolve that helped Mickie turn the ignition key and hit the road when the call to help came.

“I sat and sat and asked – is it time? Is this a good thing for me to go? I decided, yeah, I’ve got two weeks right now. This will work. This is what I want to do.”

Mickie Mohs supporting Hurricane Helene relief in 2024. Submitted photo.

Red Cross relief trucks operate in teams of two. Mickie picked up her teammate in Minneapolis and the pair rolled on to North Carolina and Georgia, where they worked long days loading and delivering supper mostly for people gathering at community centers. In one case, the local partner asked Mickie to back in the truck.

“I’m like, I don’t back up. I don’t back up. He says, ’Yes you can Mickie,’ in his southern accent. And so, yes, I backed up. It was fine. And by the end, I was backing in like a champ.”

Being on the delivery side of disaster relief deepened Mickie’s understanding of the impact. It was, she says, about a whole lot more. “You offer hope. And acknowledge that somebody cares, and they’re not going through it alone. It’s not, you know, it’s not just food.”

Story by Lynette Nyman – Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region. Learn more and get involved at RedCross.org/MNDAKS.

Madelyn’s Mission:   Turning Survival into Service 

Madelyn recalls dyeing her hair purple a few days before starting treatment. It was a way of taking back control before chemotherapy, a flash of color and courage before everything changed. A few months before beginning her junior year at Watertown-Mayer High School, she was learning words no teenager expects to learn – port, infusion, transfusion.        

Madelyn, in the hospital with her vibrant purple hair — a bold choice before starting chemo, reclaiming a bit of control in a time when so much felt uncertain. (Photo submitted)

Just four days after her 16th birthday, she started treatment. While other teenagers were focusing on getting their driver’s license, she was looking forward to finishing chemotherapy that October. Soon it was homework and hospital visits, all during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Madelyn benefitted from donated blood to get through her chemotherapy.  

“Getting transfusions were incredibly beneficial for my treatment. The energy was back, and I could feel more like myself again.” 

Madelyn beams as she holds a sign celebrating a milestone hard-earned through courage, resilience, and hope. (Photo submitted)

Looking back, she says it feels surreal to realize how far she’s come since then. Recently, she reached a milestone she once only hoped for – five years cancer-free.  

Now a senior theater major at the University of Minnesota, Madelyn carries that experience with quiet strength and a clear sense of purpose. She’s using her story to encourage others through the Abbott and the Big Ten’s “We Give Blood” competition, a friendly way for universities to inspire more students to donate. At the University of Minnesota Red Cross Blood Drive, Madelyn had fun with “Buddy the Blood Drop” and inspired classmates to donate more than 100 units of lifesaving blood.  And this December, right in the middle of finals week, she’s hosting her own blood drive on campus. It’s already almost full. 

Madelyn smiles alongside Buddy the Blood Drop at the University of Minnesota’s 2025 Homecoming Blood Drive — giving back to the community that once helped her through her own journey. (Photo: Carrie Carlson-Guest, American Red Cross)

Madelyn is more than a survivor – she’s an artist, a leader and a voice in the community. Between rehearsals and classes, she still makes time to volunteer and share her story. What drives her is connection, that deep sense of community that helped her heal and keeps her giving back. “For me, that’s a big driving factor in any work I do,” she says. “So many people have been there for me, and community is important, creating community in any way we can is important.”

Madelyn and her friend Rachel smile for a quick photo in their Gopher maroon & gold.
Between classes and campus life, Madelyn still finds time to advocate for blood donation, encouraging others to give the gift that once helped save her life. (Photo: Submitted)

She knows firsthand that every donation matters. “There are probably patients who didn’t get it in time,” she says. “Giving blood is a method of creating community, and I don’t know that it’s always seen as that, but I think it’s a really important way of doing something that helps people.” 

That understanding drives her advocacy for blood donation among her peers. She sees it not as an act of charity, but one of connection, something that takes less than an hour and can change a life. 

Madelyn is determined to create community by raising awareness and closing the gap in blood donation. By sharing her story, she’s inspiring change — one student, one act of generosity at a time. (Photo: Carrie Carlson-Guest, American Red Cross)

Every day, patients across the U.S. rely on blood and platelet donors to survive – yet only about 3 percent of eligible people donate blood each year. Madelyn is determined to change that. By sharing her story, she hopes to close that gap – one student, one act of generosity at a time. 

“Creating community matters,” she says. “And this is a simple way to do it.” 

Roll up a sleeve to donate and help change a life, like Madelyn’s.  

Madelyn shared her inspiring story on WCCO-TV Sunday Morning – view here.
 
Schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

New to Upper Midwest Winters? Here’s How to Get Ready

Sean Kelly (Photo: American Red Cross)

If you’re like Sean and new to the upper Midwest, you might be wondering what winter is really like. Spoiler alert: it’s not all cozy snow days! Around here, a snowstorm can feel like just another Tuesday. That’s why it’s important to prepare before the cold sets in—because winter can stick around well into spring.

Sean Kelly, our Senior Volunteer Recruitment Specialist in North Dakota, moved from Virginia this past July. He says, “I’m prepared for most things, but having never experienced -40° with wind chill, I’ve been wondering—how cold is that?”

The truth? It’s cold enough to make your eyelashes freeze! For newcomers, the sudden drop in temperatures and heavy snow can be a shock. Snowstorms can lead to power outages or dangerous road conditions.

As Sean asks, “I know I can call emergency services, but how long do you need to survive in your car?” Hey Sean, below are some tips to help you and everyone stay safe and comfortable this winter!

Car Survival Kit
Add these essentials to your regular car kit:
• Snow brush and ice scraper
• Warm boots and clothing
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Hand and foot warmers
• Shovel, sand or kitty litter
• Phone charger and jumper cables
• Snack bars
• Flares and safety vests (especially helpful in a whiteout!)

Find Warming Shelters
Know where to go if the cold becomes dangerous. Some cities, like Fargo, operate warming shelters, while others partner with local organizations. Check your city and county resources before the bitter cold hits—especially if you plan to travel.

Dress for the Weather
On the worst days, avoid travel if you can. If you must go out, cover your nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, and toes with warm, dry clothing. These areas are most at risk for frostbite.

Get More Tips
Download the free American Red Cross Emergency App for additional preparedness advice.

Whether you’re a winter rookie or a seasoned pro, a little preparation goes a long way. With the right gear and planning, you can turn the upper Midwest’s extreme cold into a true winter wonderland!

Post written with support from Jana Humphreys, a Communications Volunteer with our Minnesota and Dakotas Red Cross region!

Forging Stronger Partnerships

Shylo Stevens received an urgent phone call in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 26, after a fire broke out on the 12th floor of Skyline Tower, a high-rise apartment complex in St. Paul, Minn. It was, she quickly learned, an all-hands response to help the residents.  

Shylo Stevens with CommonBond talks with a Red Cross volunteer.  Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross

“At first, I wasn’t really knowing what I was walking into,” says Shylo. “It was a lot of trying to figure out what had happened. What were the top priorities for our residents as we work through this?”  

Shylo is a community program manager for CommonBond, an affordable housing nonprofit that manages the Skyline Tower apartments. With so many residents displaced, Skyline Tower residents needed to be temporarily housed in close to a dozen different hotels across the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area.  

“It was getting them into hotels, figuring out who needs the police or fire department to bring them down if they had mobility difficulties and couldn’t come down on their own, as our elevators were out. With all that support, we were able to fully evacuate the building.” 

Red Cross volunteers fill grocery packages for Skyline Tower residents displaced from Skyline Tower in St. Paul, Minn. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross

Skyline Tower’s resident population is made up of about 1,500 individuals and families, many that migrated from other countries, the majority from Somalia. They’re tightly knit, says Shylo. “The sense of community I got that night, I can’t even explain. Just so many people coming in to assist left and right through this crisis, it was really beautiful to see.” 

With so many residents displaced across close to a dozen Minneapolis–St. Paul hotels, some rooms had kitchenettes while others did not.  

To support food relief for people with kitchenettes, Red Cross volunteers assembled more than 150 grocery care packages that contained weekly staples, such as rice, onions, bullion, and more, based on input from residents and local faith-based experts. And for those without kitchenettes, the Red Cross partnered with local restaurants, such as Afro Deli and Grill, to provide nutritious and comforting hot meals from a kitchen that residents trust.

Red Cross volunteers pick up hot meals from Afro Deli & Grill. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross

Many people in the Skyline Tower community are of the Muslim faith and have strict halal dietary restrictions.  To help meet the need, the Red Cross shifted early from the typical feeding approach used on many disaster responses to one tailored specifically to this community. The help, Shylo says, has been amazing. 

“You know, here, soon it will be Thanksgiving, and you have to feed your family a meal. Now imagine trying to feed 1,500 people. You have residents who like certain things that others don’t, and many who choose their meals strictly based on their religious practices. There are certain things that they simply cannot eat, and it’s not because they choose not to, it’s their beliefs, their morals, and their values.”  

Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States, with the majority residing in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. The relationships formed during this response will help the Red Cross better address community needs during future disasters.

In addition to food relief, Red Cross volunteers have facilitated relationships between CommonBond and other disaster response partners.

“One of the things that the Red Cross has been very helpful with is the connection with Ramsey County workers – they’ve been on site at the hotels working with the residents to make sure they have paperwork, their Medicaid, their insurance, so they’re kind of taking that off of our plate, so that residents aren’t missing that gap period during this time,” says Shylo. 

A Red Cross volunteer views damaged apartment units with a repair worker at Skyline Tower, St. Paul, Minn. Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross

Around half of the displaced residents returned home at the end of October. The remaining displaced residents await building repairs. Red Cross teams will continue to work alongside CommonBond as people continue to recover from this disaster.

Story and photos by Nate Russell/American Red Cross Volunteer

Every Step Counts When You’re a Veteran Supporting Veterans

Curtis Ghylin

On Friday mornings, Curt Ghylin gets many steps in during his morning volunteer shift at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The steps add up to around four miles. “I feel pretty lucky,” says Curt, who is 87 years old.

He racks up the steps while he pushes patient after patient in wheelchair after wheelchair going from x-ray to lab to cardiology or other appointments. Established in 1923 for World War I veterans, the medical center is a sprawling complex on the National Register of Historic Places.

Curt has walked its halls for twenty-two years while serving as an American Red Cross volunteer supporting veterans who served in more recent armed conflicts. His role places him at the hub in Building One. Patient assignments arrive at the main entrance or on the house phone.

“Front desk, this is Curt. Can I help you?” he says when answering a call. The assignment will take around 30 minutes. At the pick-up point, “We’ve got the right guy,” he says, and takes the handles of a regular patient’s wheelchair and starts the journey.

“He’s got good legs,” says the patient when asked to describe Curt and his help for someone who’s just a couple several years older. “Good people here,” the patient adds.

You could call Curt good people or simply a veteran helping veterans. In the 1950s, he served with the North Dakota National Guard and then in the 1960s with the U.S. Air Force as a “crypto operator,” which supports information intelligence. His stations included Libya, Wyoming, Nebraska and Louisiana. After leaving the military, he became a teacher and then flourished as a computer programmer in Minnesota.

He retired in 2003, and he looked for places to volunteer. A church friend and Red Crosser recommended reaching out to the VA. He did and folks there agreed: Curt would be a great Red Cross rep. Since then, the steps haven’t stopped – from supporting people in their adult day care program to his current role as a greeter and escort, Curt has put in his miles.

“He needs a wheelchair? Big guy? Little guy?” Curt asks when the phone rings again. Curt tends to that request and returns to the desk. A man with striking white hair ambles up. “Thanks for your help this morning. Ninety-two years old. It happens fast,” he tells Curt. The two share a warm moment in a place where people make friends.

When the volunteer shift change happens, his replacement stops by and asks about Curt’s fall. A few weeks ago it landed him face down on the pavement while with his running group that’s now slowed to a stroll. He shows a photo of his broken nose. New to everyone is a scruff of beard covering his stitches and scars.

As soon as possible after the accident, he got back to his volunteer work at the VA and other community organizations in the St. Cloud area. “It’s important and there aren’t enough people doing it,” he says. “I was born to worry about somebody else.”

A bonus for Red Cross and those we serve: Curt is a regular blood donor who recently reached a 23-gallon milestone.

Story by Lynette Nyman with the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region. To learn more about regional Service to the Armed Forces programs, please RedCross.org/MNDAKS.

Caring for Our Neighbors After the Skyline Tower Fire 

 
When a fire and power outage forced more than a thousand residents from Skyline Tower in St. Paul on October 25–26, the American Red Cross moved quickly to help. Within hours, volunteers were working alongside the City of St. Paul, CommonBond Communities, The Salvation Army, and other partners to make sure everyone had a safe place to stay, warm meals to eat, and someone to turn to for comfort and care. 

Local Red Cross volunteers Todd Johnson and Marilyn Birk serve meals to families impacted by the fire and power outage at Skyline Tower in St. Paul, Minn.
Photo: Nate Russell/American Red Cross.

Every day since, responders have been connecting with residents as they recover across the Twin Cities, offering meals, listening to concerns, and finding ways to meet each person’s needs with dignity. Behind the scenes, volunteers have coordinated food deliveries, managed logistics, and worked hand in hand with community partners to keep things running smoothly. 

More than 70 trained Red Cross responders, most of them volunteers from across Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, have come together to support this response, each bringing compassion, skill, and heart to the work. 

“We know the people need the help, and the Red Cross has the partnerships and the means to be able to provide that,” said Todd Johnson, a volunteer helping provide meals. So far, Red Cross teams have provided more than 4,100 (as of 11/3) warm meals and thousands of snacks with help from The Salvation Army and local partners. “This is the heart of what we do.”  

Jeff Thelen and Matt Bellin, two of more than 70 Red Cross responders, help unload food to be served to residents affected by the Skyline Tower fire and power outage.
Photo: Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross.

Health and mental health volunteers are helping replace lost prescriptions, check on medical concerns, and offer a listening ear. “A lot of our services revolve around helping them with that first small step. It might be just someone to help them get their medications replaced and that’s one less thing for them to have to worry about,” said Rick Larkin, who is leading Disaster Health Services. “But we also have disaster mental health volunteers, because this is super stressful for people. It’s a friendly ear; it’s a reassurance that recovery will begin soon.” 

The Red Cross continues to work closely with cultural and community organizations to ensure services honor the diverse languages, traditions, and nourishment needs of Skyline Tower residents. Every act of kindness, whether it’s a shared meal, a gentle conversation, or a moment of rest, reflects the spirit of partnership that has defined this response. 

“This is one of the largest responses our region has supported,” said Brice Johnson, CEO for the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region. “But more than that, it’s a reminder of what can happen when neighbors come together to care for one another.”  

As parts of Skyline Tower reopen, residents are beginning to return home. “We’ll be here,” said Johnson. “In the days and weeks ahead, we’ll stand alongside residents, helping meet immediate needs, supporting them as they rebuild a sense of stability, and offering resources and reassurance that things will get better.” 

How You Can Help 

Support Disaster Relief. Every day, disasters like this remind us how quickly life can change and how powerful compassion can be. The Red Cross helps communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies large and small. 

You can make a difference. Visit RedCross.org ,call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a financial donation. 

An average of 90 cents of every dollar we spend goes toward providing care and comfort for those in need. 

Put on a red vest and join us. Visit RedCross.org/GiveTime to learn how you can support your community. For disasters big and small, Red Cross volunteers provide comfort on what can be the hardest days of people’s lives. 

Because of Ryker: A family’s lifesaving commitment

Amy Slater’s journey as a blood donor began two years ago, sparked by a deeply personal experience: her four-year-old nephew, Ryker, was diagnosed with leukemia. Watching him go through treatment, she quickly realized that blood donation isn’t just a kind gesture — it’s a lifeline.

“Ryker needed multiple transfusions throughout his treatment just to have the strength to keep fighting,” Amy recalls. “That changed everything for me. I saw firsthand how critical donated blood was to his recovery.”

Amy stands strong beside her nephew Ryker, who is bravely battling leukemia. Picture submitted.

Since that moment, Amy has become a passionate advocate for blood donation. At Federated Insurance, where she works, she actively supports the company’s blood drives, held three times a year. She never misses a chance to donate — and always encourages her coworkers to join her.

“It only takes a little bit of your time, and it’s absolutely worth it,” she says. “The staff are so kind and professional — they make the whole experience smooth and meaningful.”

Amy proudly donates blood in support of her brave nephew, Ryker, who is currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. Her donation is one small way to help him in his courageous fight.
Photo: Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross

Though Ryker is now cancer-free, his journey left a lasting impact on the entire family. “I had never donated blood before his diagnosis,” Amy shares. “But once I saw the difference it made in someone I love, I knew I had to keep going.”

As a mother of two, Amy feels the importance of donation even more deeply. “I can’t imagine being told one of my own kids had cancer — and then finding out there might not be blood available,” she says. “That’s why I donate. That’s why I keep encouraging others to step up.”

Alissa donates blood for the first time in honor of her son Ryker. Right by her side is her stepmom Kim, offering love, support, and a whole lot of encouragement.
Photo: Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross

At this year’s Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive in Mankato, Amy’s dedication became a family affair. She was joined by her sister and Ryker’s mother, Alissa, and their father and stepmother, Tim and Kim — all eager to give back. For Alissa, it was her very first-time donating blood.

Alissa donates blood for the first time, inspired by her son Ryker’s leukemia treatment. A little nervous at first, she’s all smiles, proud to give back in such a meaningful way.
Photo: Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross

“I was a little nervous at first,” Alissa admits. “But it was easier than I expected. After seeing Ryker receive blood during his treatment, I knew I could do it and I’m so glad I did — having my family there made it even more meaningful.”

Their motivation runs deep. Ryker is nearing the end of his treatment. On September 18, he’ll receive his final dose of liquid chemotherapy — a powerful milestone for a resilient little boy and a hopeful family.

“I truly believe every blood donor is a blessing. If you can donate, just do it. You could be helping save someone’s life — it made a lifesaving difference for Ryker.”

Amy, Alissa, Tim, and Kim proudly show off their PEANUTS Snoopy T-shirts after donating blood — all Because of Ryker. This family’s lifesaving commitment is a powerful tribute to the brave little boy at the heart of it all. Photo: Sue Thesenga/American Red Cross

Stories like this remind us that donating blood is a testament to the power of family, community, compassion, and the courage it takes to care.

You can help save lives, too. Eligible individuals are encouraged to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).