Tag: Mankato

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).

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.

Thanks to Emily for making such a huge impact and helping the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply through the holiday season and this winter!

Leslie Johnson and her daughter Emily Johnson, Mankato, Minnesota.

We’re happy to share with you a story that KEYC-News in Mankato recently aired entitled: LCWM senior advocates for blood donations by sharing personal story.

Emily Johnson, a senior at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial High School is hosting her second blood drive this year because she credits blood with helping save her mom’s life.

“My mom is my inspiration and I’m grateful she is alive,” said Emily Johnson. “If blood had not been available when she needed it, she might not be here today – I might not have had my mom growing up. It’s my honor to be able to promote blood donation and help pay it forward to others in need.”

In 2005, when Emily was just two years old her mother, Leslie Johnson, was in a farming accident that left her with broken bones including a shattered pelvis in five places, her right leg was severely injured and detached from her spine, a severed artery in her abdomen and head trauma. The injuries caused massive bleeding and she received platelets while being airlifted to the hospital.

Leslie Johnson underwent surgery that same day to repair the severed artery and head trauma. She received nine units of blood in the first 24 hours. She spent the next six days in an induced coma and received additional units of blood. Eleven days later following a second surgery to repair her crushed pelvis she was discharged from the hospital. The next three months were spent in a wheelchair and learning to walk again.

“I am so proud of Emily,” said her mother. “She is such an amazing young woman and is making a positive impact in this world!”

Leslie Johnson is facing another surgery to fully replace both of her hip sockets that were also crushed in the accident and may need additional blood products.

Thanks to Emily for making such a huge impact and helping the Red Cross maintain a stable blood supply through the holiday season and this winter.

Make your blood, platelets or convalescent plasma donation today.

Stars aligned for dancing, raising funds in Mankato

Local Red Cross board chair Ben Hoffmann in Dancing with the Mankato Stars. Photo Jackson Forderer/Mankato Free Press
Local Red Cross board chair Ben Hoffman performs in Dancing with the Mankato Stars. Photo Jackson Forderer/Mankato Free Press

For the fifth year, the stars aligned in Mankato for a successful Dancing With the Mankato Stars (DWTMS) on February 11, 2017.

More than 2,500 people filled the sold-out Verizon Event Center to watch 11 couples and one group of religious sisters dance to support the American Red Cross serving Southwest Minnesota. The event was spearheaded by the DWTMS board and Dance Express.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen, including more than 30 Red Cross volunteers. Through sponsorships and donations, the event raised over $123,400.

Click here to see more great photos.

Mankato Stars Are Ready to Dance for Red Cross

Support the teams
DWTMSDo you want to start supporting a Dancing with the Mankato Stars team? Check out the new Crowdrise page where you can donate to your favorite dance team and help them win the upcoming competition while supporting American Red Cross programs and services in southwest Minnesota.

Attend the event
DWTMS_2Join us on the event day, February, 13, to watch the dancing teams. The teams are local celebrities who are paired with professional dance partners from Dance Express and colleagues of Dance Express. They will each compete for trophies, awards and the top spot. This event will raise money for the American Red Cross serving Southwest Minnesota.

Learn about Red Cross
January 2016 Urgent Need_Stamp GraphicAs part of the global Red Cross network, the American Red Cross works to reduce human suffering in the face of emergencies. Primary lines of humanitarian services include disaster relief, recovery and preparedness, emergency communications and financial assistance for military members and their families, health and safety training, blood and platelet donation collection, processing and distribution, reconnection search and messaging for people separated by international conflict and disasters, and immunizations in vulnerable communities around the globe.

12195094_10153609172750630_5228715192139806662_oThe Red Cross in southwest Minnesota serves more than 369,000 people in communities across Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Martin, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine counties. In southwest Minnesota last year, the Red Cross supported 62 families affected by disasters, collected more than 30,000 units of blood, trained 13,126 people in lifesaving and caregiving skills, provided 153 emergency communications services to military families, and installed 214 smoke alarms for home fire safety.