Putting the Positive in O+

Dedicated platelet donor hits 800-units/100-gallon milestone and encourages others to give during Red Cross national blood and platelet shortage

Tom Meyer donated blood for the first time when he was in high school. Several years later, in the late 70’s, he became a platelet donor when his cousin who headed the platelet donation program at the American Red Cross St. Paul Donation Center informed him that he had an appointment the next day at 7:30 a.m. “I believe I was one of the first platelet donors in our region,” says Tom.

That was the beginning of a decades-long journey of giving back.

Tom Meyer reaches his 800-unit/100-gallon platelet donation milestone – September 13, 2023.

Since then, Tom tries to donate platelets every two weeks (24 times a year) and often has his appointments scheduled six months in advance through the Red Cross Blood Donor App. “There’s no substitution for blood – it’s a big priority for me!”

Tom’s donations are vital because of his high platelet count and O+ blood type. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type and can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.

Recently, Tom hit a milestone when his donations reached 800-units/100-gallons.

“The number is less important than the impact on patient care,” says Tom. “I think there’s a good chance that I’ve made a difference in a few lives somewhere along the way. If we can give people more days with their family and friends, that’s a gift.”

Tom urges Minnesotans to become regular donors to help the cause and possibly save the lives of strangers. “One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had was assisting young students coordinate a blood drive at their school,” says Tom. His advice for first time donors is to be courageous. “Don’t be afraid of a small needle, but instead think of the impact of your donation and the patients you are helping.”

In addition to being a platelet donor, Tom serves on the Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region Board of Directors. For the past 25 years, he has served two terms as chair of the region’s Blood Services Board, has been involved in multiple board committees, and has been an advocate for the Red Cross – from lobbing state legislature to change the blood donor age in the State of Minnesota to 16 years old with parental consent, to emceeing the region’s annual 12 Hours of Giving holiday blood drive, to serving as a disaster relief volunteer.

WHY ARE PLATELETS IMPORTANT
Every 15 seconds someone in the U.S. needs a platelet transfusion. Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding and play a critical role in the treatment of millions of Americans fighting cancer and other chronic diseases, as well as those recovering from traumatic injuries. Since platelets must be used within five days of donation, platelet donors are constantly needed.

During a platelet donation, blood is collected by a device that separates platelets, along with some plasma, from whole blood and returns the remaining blood components back to the donor. Ideal blood types for a platelet donation are A positive, A negative, B positive, O positive, AB positive and AB negative.

Learn more about platelet donors at RedCrossBlood.org/Platelets

NATIONAL BLOOD AND PLATELET SHORTAGE
Tom hopes his story will inspire others to give, especially now as the Red Cross is facing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave blood this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donors of all blood types are urgently needed and there is an emergency need for type O blood donors, as well as platelet donors. More donors are needed now to ensure patients at hospitals across the country continue to receive critical medical care.

Don’t delay – make your appointment today: rcblood.org/platelets or rcblood.org/appt.

Update and thank you from disaster volunteer Pj Doyle

Veteran volunteer Pj Doyle, deployed to the Washington Wildfires, shares her experience and gratitude from the field.

Addi’s Story of Hope

“I’m so grateful for blood donors who gave the gift of life to Addi and Rachel who also needed blood following complications from the childbirth.”

Pastor Joseph Naumann recalls the evening of Saturday, June 5, 2021, when his wife’s water broke at 22 weeks pregnant while at church. Following a visit to the emergency room, Naumann’s wife Rachel was hospitalized in Minneapolis to help keep the baby in the womb as long as possible so it could develop as much as possible before birth. Nine days later, Adelaide (Addi) Hope Naumann came into this world weighing just 1 pound, 8 ounces.

“It was touch and go if Addi would survive,” said Naumann. “Lots of hope was needed – we baptized her right away.”

Newborn Addi weighing 1 pound 8 oz. (photo provided).

Addi was immediately intubated because her lungs were not strong enough to breathe on her own. Her left lungs began leaking air into her chest cavity, so a chest tube was inserted in her small chest to release air building up. “Her skin was thin and transparent,” Naumann says. Addi needed two blood transfusions to help her survive. 

There were lots of difficulties that Addi encountered, and the new mom and dad weren’t able to hold their daughter for a week. For 164 days, the Naumann’s traveled back and forth to the hospital to be with Addi, while also caring for their older three children. On Thanksgiving Day, they finally took their sweet new baby Addi home.

The Naumann family (photo provided).

“I’m so grateful for blood donors who gave the gift of life to Addi and Rachel who also needed blood following complications from the childbirth,” Naumann said. “I think showing love and care to others is something all of us want to do. I encourage people to give – it could be your own family member in need. Giving the gift of life is the ultimate gift – a gift out the goodness of your heart – expecting nothing in return.”

Addi just turned two years old this summer and is talking and growing up just like other 2-year-olds. She loves to play with her sisters and brother and enjoys being outside in the sandbox or playing with her baby dolls. Naumann jokes, “I might be biased, but I think Addi may the cutest baby of all time!”

Two-year-old Addi loves to play outside (photo provided).

The Naumann’s have both donated blood in the past and plan on continuing to pay-it-forward. “It’s definitely something that is easy to be taken for granted as just being there when you need it, but I am so very thankful that there was blood available for both me and Adelaide when we needed it most,” said Rachel.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave blood this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there’s an emergency need for type O blood donors, as well as platelet donors. More donors are needed now to ensure patients at hospitals across the country continue to receive critical medical care.    

Help ensure lifesaving blood products are available for patients like Addi! Schedule a blood donation today. Visit redcross.org/mndaks to make an appointment or for more information.

Celebrating 80+ Years of Service

We want to give a super-glorious shout-out to our volunteers Dolly and Phyllis! Based in our Minnesota and Dakotas region, their work as blood program leaders has helped thousands of patients.

“How far back would you like to go?,” said Phyllis when asked about her service that started with going door-to-door to recruit blood donors in the late 1960s.

Dolly began around 30 years ago when a friend asked her to call donors for upcoming drives. “Then I had a neighbor with leukemia who needed a blood transfusion,” she said.

Their efforts are focused on three, 3-day drives held every year in the City of Fergus Falls in west-central Minnesota. These nine drives collect on average more than 500 units of lifesaving blood.

We could not be more grateful for this remarkable volunteer duo or more proud of their 80+ years of combined service. Still going strong: their next drive will be in September.

Thank you, Dolly and Phyllis, for being exceptional humanitarians and supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross.

Two Minot AFB Airmen Receive National Red Cross Awards

The Airmen’s contribution to the safety of their fellow citizens reflects the spirit of the American Red Cross by using action to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergency. Thanks to their Red Cross and emergency training, as well as their quick response and professionalism, Airman 1st Class Damian Cordoba and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Thompson were able to save two lives in their community and earn one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross.

Airman 1st Class Damian Cordoba (above left) of the 5th Medical Group saved a life while off duty and working a shift at local restaurant, The Starving Rooster, on November 8, 2022. When he realized that one of the restaurant’s patrons was choking, Cordoba rushed across the restaurant and, without hesitation, began performing abdominal thrusts on the man. After several attempts, the object was still in place so he began more abdominal thrusts and then performed a throat sweep, dislodging the obstruction. Photo from Minot AFB.

Staff Sgt. Nicholas Thompson (above right) of the 5th Security Forces Squadron saved the life of a fellow Defender while posted at Minot AFB’s South Gate, December 20, 2022. In an attempt to open a bucket of ice melt, the Airman utilized the knife part of a multi-tool. Thompson was manning the gate when he heard a loud crash and returned to see the Airman on the ground with what appeared to be a minor cut. Upon further inspection, Thompson realized that the Airman had sustained a severe arterial cut on his forearm. He instructed the Airman to apply pressure on the wound while he applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding until EMS arrived at the scene. Photo from Minot AFB.

Zoe Wergeland Manstrom (above left), executive director of the Western North Dakota Chapter of the Minnesota and Dakotas Red Cross, and Lorie Herbel (top right), Service to the Armed Forces Regional Program Manager, presented the awards to the Airmen at Minot AFB in June. To learn more about Red Cross lifesaving skills training click here.

Copy and photos used with permission from Minot AFB.

Celebrating 5 Years Cancer Free

Bradley Arnold is a sweet, fun-loving 10-year-old boy who loves fishing, farming and searching for treasures with a metal detector. But five years ago, unlike other kids his age, Bradley was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

Bradley Arnold, 10.

“It just appeared all of the sudden,” said Mandy Arnold, who noticed a bulge under her son’s shirt. She knew something wasn’t right, so she took Bradley to an emergency room. After four hours, they were sent home with a diagnosis of severe constipation.

But nothing changed overnight – the bulge was still there. That day, they were lucky enough to get an appointment with his pediatrician who ordered several tests.

Mandy recalls the look on the doctor’s face and knew right away something was wrong. “Our world turned upside down when I heard the doctor say she was confident it was kidney cancer.”  

They went straight to a regional hospital, where they went through a in-depth series of questions and tests. That night, Bradley had an ultrasound, showing an 8-inch tumor, weighting more the three pounds. “It was the size of a cantaloupe – I couldn’t believe it got so big, so fast,” said Mandy. Bradley was scheduled for surgery the next morning to have his left kidney and a Wilms tumor removed.

Bradley recovering in the hospital following surgery. Submitted photo.

“I never thought I would have a child with cancer,” said Mandy. “It’s just not our nature to think of worst case scenarios.”

Thankfully, doctors were able to remove the entire tumor – it had not spread to other parts of Bradley’s body. Following surgery, Bradley required blood and platelet transfusions to help his body recover and heal.

Every Friday for the next 19 weeks, Bradley had chemotherapy treatments. “He never complained – he blew me away with how resilient he was,” Mandy said.

Witnessing her son’s bravery and cheerful outlook through his cancer journey, brought a new perspective to Mandy. “I’m a changed person – our family all went through this together – and we look at life differently now.”

“When your struck with a nightmare, the last thing you want to do is to worry about what you need,” said Mandy. “We’re so grateful the blood that Bradley needed was available when he needed it most.”

It wasn’t the first time the Arnold family was helped by the generosity of blood donors. Mandy needed transfusions after complications when her first and third children were born.

Mandy now serves as a Red Cross blood program volunteer leader with the Minnesota and Dakotas Red Cross Region. To celebrate Bradley’s five-year cancer free milestone and to raise awareness of the need for blood products to be readily available for cancer patients, the Arnold family hosted a blood drive on Monday, June 5, 2023. Family, friends and the community came together and rolled up a sleeve to honor Bradley. Forty nine blood donations were made in honor of this brave cancer warrior.

Bradley Arnold at the blood drive held in his honor, thanking donors for their “roll” in helping save lives with a Tootsei Roll goody bag!

You can help patients like Bradley! Schedule a blood donation today to help ensure lifesaving blood products are available whenever and wherever they are needed most. Visit redcross.org/mndaks to make an appointment or for more information.

“We didn’t know the Red Cross responded to home fires.”

As a weeknight news anchor and reporter for Dakota News Now in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Brian Allen reports on home fire stories often, but never expected to experience one of his own.

On June 3, 2020, in the midst of the pandemic which had already brought uncertainty to so many, Brian and Anne Allen’s lives turned upside down when they lost the place they and their children called home.


Like many home fires, it started in the kitchen.

The Allen’s were lucky, their home had working smoke alarms and the fire was reported quickly to 911.

“Thankfully nobody was injured and although this was a traumatic event, it was not a tragic one.  Even our dog and pet bunny made it out to safety,” said Anne.

The fast-burning fire was hot and intense – evidenced by a ceiling fan in the living room that melted off its base or the melted hair on her daughter’s American Girl doll.

“It was a crispy, burned-out shell of what was our everything,” grieved Brian.

The upper level of their home had so much smoke damage that the sheetrock had to be replaced down to the studs. “It’s incredible how much damage can happen in a short time with a fire that is ultimately small,” said Anne. There was no structural damage, but the smoke damage was extensive – “it’s mind-blowing how smoke can even enter drawers.”

The man in the red vest

After the fire trucks and insurance adjuster left, the Allen’s sat in their garage contemplating what to do next. They remember an older gentleman in a red vest slowly walking down their driveway towards them – it was a volunteer from the American Red Cross.

“We were surprised the Red Cross showed up – we didn’t realize they responded to home fires,” said Brian. “He couldn’t have been nicer, more compassionate, more understanding – he gave us some supplies and cash cards to help with our immediate needs as well as help pay for a hotel for a few nights. He even brought stuffed animals for our kids.”

Anne vividly remembers his reassuring, calm voice. “He told us that things would get better. I can’t express how meaningful that moment was,” she recalls. “He was there to help us in our darkest hour. He was a godsend!”

As they recalled the day, Brian remembers saying to his wife that “he didn’t know how they were going to repay the Red Cross, but someday they would.”

Although their house was temporarily unlivable and they had to relocate for about five months, the Allen’s were thankful their family was safe, and they had a place to go. “We just lost stuff – it doesn’t compare to the alternative. We were super lucky and we’re grateful it wasn’t worse.”

Turning compassion into action

“You never think it will happen to you and then it does,” Brian said. “Now, when I’m driving to and from work and I see a home fire my heart just breaks, I know exactly what that feels like – it’s just devastating!”

Brian is now turning his compassion into action by serving on the Red Cross Eastern South Dakota board of directors. “I’m fortunate that I’m in a position to be able to help build awareness and inform the people of eastern South Dakota what the Red Cross is doing to help when disasters strike – “I want to thread the message of kindness and let them know what the Red Cross is doing for our community.”

The Allen’s hope people can learn from their misfortune. “We were those people – we didn’t have a plan,” said Anne. “We don’t like to relive our story, but if it can help anyone or encourage families to have conversations about what to do if they have a fire that would make us happy.”

Home fires are considered one of the most frequent disasters in the U.S. For example, in the Minnesota and Dakotas region last year, our disaster action team, 90% of who are volunteers, responded to more than 1,000 home fires that affected more than 4,000 people.  The Red Cross offers people the immediate financial support they require to purchase things like food, shelter, and other essential recovery items, and provides emotional support.

After a home fire, Red Cross volunteers work with local fire departments to connect with families for needs like emergency lodging, food, financial assistance, and emotional support.

DONATE: Thanks to donations, Red Cross services are free and available for all those in need. Visit redcross.org to support our lifesaving work.

VOLUNTEER: The need is constant to help families affected by home fires and other disasters. Visit redcross.org/givetime to become a volunteer.

HOME FIRE SAFETY: Home fires claim seven lives a day in the U.S. but working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. Llearn more about home fire safety and preparedness.

Red Cross helps unite military family following explosion and home fire

“I didn’t know that emergency communications for military families in times of a disaster was something the Red Cross could help with.”

Early one morning in February, in Rapid City, South Dakota, a loud noise awakened Misti O’Connor. “Startled, I rushed outside to see what was going on and I could ‘hear’ the gas,” said Misti. A vehicle had crashed through the camper parked in her driveway, and then into her neighbor’s home, rupturing a gas line and causing the home to explode. This set the O’Connor’s garage on fire.

Aerial view of the damage at the O’Connor’s and neighbor’s houses. Submitted photo.

Misti ran back into the house to get her kids and that’s when they heard the next explosion. “It was really scary,” recalls Raenan, her 8-year-old son.

The O’Connor’s garage and camper following an explosion at their neighbor’s house. Submitted photo.

Back outside, Misti tried calling her husband, Jason, a staff sergeant deployed with the South Dakota Army National Guard on U.S. southern border. “He didn’t pick up at first because it was the middle of the night.  I had to try several times.” Finally, they connected and once Misti explained what was happening, they both started making calls to see if they could get him home. Jason informed his guard command that there was an emergency at home and he needed to go.

Meanwhile, the local Red Cross disaster action team (DAT) was dispatched to respond to the fire and immediately mobilized volunteers, staff and the emergency response vehicle. On-site they provided hot chocolate to the first responders and people affected – and made sure everyone had a warm place to stay.

Extensive damage inside the O’Connor’s garage. Submitted photo.

Richard Felix, regional manager for Red Cross’s Service to the Armed Forces program in South Dakota, was part of the fire response team. Once he found out that Jason was deployed, he informed them of the Red Cross emergency communications program for military members. “Being on-scene was crucial in helping this family make a connection and getting Sgt. O’Connor home when his family needed him most,” said Richard.

“I didn’t know that emergency communications for military families in times of a disaster was something the Red Cross could help with,” said Misti. “We don’t like to accept help from others, so I was very reluctant, but I’m glad the Red Cross was there to help!”

They made the necessary arrangements through the Red Cross and Jason was on a plane headed home to be with his family by Saturday afternoon – just a day after the disaster. “The Red Cross made it so easy,” Jason said.

Having her husband home during this time was “everything” to Misti. “At first, we didn’t know the extent of the damage, but once I saw it, I realized I needed him home. I don’t think I could have done it without his help – I could have, but it would have been hard.”

“I definitely needed to come home to be with my family – to provide moral support,” said Jason who was able be at home for 10 days before returning to his deployment.

The O’Connor family spent five nights in a hotel before returning to their home. There’s still no electricity in the garage, but they’re getting close to having the work completed. “We’re just grateful things weren’t worse, and Jason was able to be home with me and the kids during such a scary and uncertain time,” said Misti.

Misti and Jason O’Connor with their children Raenan (8) and Lorelai (6). Submitted photo.

The Red Cross helps members of the military, veterans and their families prepare for, cope with, and respond to, the challenges of military service. Click here to learn more about Red Cross services for military and veteran families.

Leading For Change: Amy Leopold Receives National Red Cross Youth Leadership Award

Amy Leopold

For more than four years, Amy Leopold has been a committed Red Cross volunteer. And this year, her commitment was recognized by receiving the American Red Cross’s 2023 Navin Narayan Award for Excellence in Youth Leadership. The award is a prestigious honor presented to a youth volunteer who demonstrates exemplary leadership skills and Red Cross service. Among the 100,000 youth volunteers serving with the Red Cross across the country, only one receives the award each year.

Ms. Leopold began volunteering as part of her Community Day volunteer requirement at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She felt so drawn to the Red Cross mission that she became a youth board member at her local Red Cross chapter, also in Duluth. Since then, she has participated in more than a dozen different Red Cross program areas, ranging from smoke alarm installation, Veteran ‘stand down’ events, and hands-only CPR to Disaster Action Team response and calling blood donors. She has mentored several other students from her college, resulting in more than 20 new volunteers, and she puts her writing skills to important use through ‘thank you’ letters to volunteers, financial donors and partners that support the Red Cross mission.

“Whether through social media or her willingness to share her story, Amy consistently demonstrates to the community and her peers that there is a place in the Red Cross for young volunteers,” said Dan Williams, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Northern Minnesota. “She is an outstanding youth leader who continues to work to change the way youth in our Red Cross region connect with our humanitarian mission.”

National American Red Cross Presidet and CEO Gail McGovern and Amy Leopold, recipent of the 2023 Navin Narayan Award for Excellence in Youth Leadership, April 2023, Washington, D.C.

Leopold was also honored this year with the Northern Minnesota Red Cross chapter’s “Marguerite Grams Memorial Leadership Award” in recognition of exemplary leadership skills for her service as chair of the chapter’s mission committee.

The Navin Narayan Award for Excellence in Youth Leadership

Navin Narayan, a former chair of the American Red Cross National Youth Council, was a dedicated, compassionate and innovative youth volunteer. Mr. Narayan began his involvement with the Red Cross when he was only 14 years old by cleaning mannequins used to teach CPR, and quickly sought ways to become more involved. As a national disaster relief volunteer and trainer, international speaker on human rights, and tireless advocate for Red Cross causes, he changed the way youth are now connected to the American Red Cross. Tragically, at the age of 23, Mr. Narayan lost his battle with a rare form of cancer, but his legacy continues to live on through two honors the American Red Cross currently gives to youth volunteers in his name: the Navin Narayan Award for Excellence in Youth Leadership and the Navin Narayan College Scholarship.

Learn more about Red Cross volunteer opportunities for youth.

Red Cross honors local man who helped save the life of a cyclist during a cardiac emergency

We have the great pleasure of announcing that Hunter Conrad, from southeast Minnesota, has received an American Red Cross Certificate of Merit. This award is the highest award the Red Cross gives to an individual who saves or sustains a life by using skills and knowledge learned in a Red Cross Training Services course. The certificate bears the signature of the President of the United States, who is the honorary chairman of the American Red Cross.

Photo: (L to R) Kevin O’Brien, the instructor who certified Hunter, Hunter Conrad, the honoree, and Melanie Tschida, executive director of the American Red Cross serving Southeast Minnesota.

Hunter demonstrated heroic efforts on October 4, 2022, when he helped save the life of a cyclist who suffered a cardiac emergency in Dundas, Minnesota. On that day, he was driving down a rural back road when he came upon a group of cyclists who waved for him to stop. One of the cyclists had suddenly lost consciousness and fallen off his bike. Hunter sprang into action, assisting the cyclist in distress. With another member of the group, they alternated administering CPR until EMS arrived and took over. The cyclist was then airlifted to a hospital and later recovered.

Hunter was a true hero because he was trained to respond. More than 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest every year – but sadly only 11% survive. Are you prepared for the moments that matter? Find the right class for you at redcross.org/mndaks.