Tag Archives: Regional

Beyond the Desk: My Red Cross Transformation

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by Kelsey Marasigan

Photo courtesy of Kelsey Marasigan

In my weekly one-on-one meetings with my supervisor, the question of professional development often arises. Usually, I’d offer a standard answer, something about improving my Excel skills or taking a project management course. Honestly, I hadn’t given it much serious thought. That is, until I said “yes” to a deployment opportunity to help with the disaster response operation for the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. It was then I realized the Red Cross offers growth opportunities far beyond what I could imagine – opportunities for profound personal and professional development.

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A Circle of Giving: “Please Convey My Gratitude”

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Photo courtesy of Lisa Lemus

A Tender but Strong Love Becomes the Foundation of Gratitude and Giving

When Phillip Wong, a math professor at Contra Costa College, met Lisa Lemus—a K-12 teacher—at a church dance on Valentine’s Day in 1996, everything changed. As divorcees, they both understood what it meant to spend a life together, yet they also understood what it meant to live alone (coincidentally, they’d both been single for 17 years). Most of all, family was everything to them. Phillip had three grown children, and Lisa had two. But living on their own had left them open to dating, and their meeting was unforgettable.

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Challenges, Rewards and Deep Connections: Aerial Chen’s Deployment Experience in Poland.

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Aerial and teammates during trivia nights
Photo courtesy of Aerial Chen – American Red Cross

Stationed in a remote location in Poland with little access to supplies like hygiene items -much less supplies for hosting special events – American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces staff member, Aerial Chen, was tasked with boosting morale, securing emergency communications and providing essential humanitarian aid to U.S. soldiers.

Her six-month deployment through January 2025 on a U.S. military base in Europe was a unique blend of challenges and rewards. The remoteness brought difficulties but also an opportunity to connect with the service members in a very particular way. “I’m sharing the same lifestyle, staying in the same containerized housing, eating the same food at the dining facilities and using the same amenities. That gives me numerous opportunities for bonding,” she explained.

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“I believe in the mission of saving lives”

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By Alex Keilty

Photo by Alex Keilty – American Red Cross

Meet Alvin Ehiriodo, American Red Cross blood donor, former volunteer and current employee. When it comes to the Red Cross, Alvin has done it all!

“I believe in the mission [of saving lives],” Alvin says of his commitment to the Red Cross. “I want to work for an organization that cares about the work they do.”

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One Baby’s Journey: Saving a 10-month-old’s life

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Photo courtesy of Sophia Eckert

Sophia Eckert’s first experience donating platelets with the American Red Cross in January 2025 was an emotional experience. Sophia looked around at the frequent donors who, according to the phlebotomist, came weekly to give platelets and she started to think about her two-year old son Roger. “That made me tear up,” Sophia said, “thinking Roger might have used their blood product to save his life.”

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Discovery of his rare blood type leads Pastor Riley to join the Red Cross mission

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Pastor Riley praying over a wounded service member in Afghanistan.
Photo courtesy of Frank Riley

As the largest non-profit humanitarian international organization, the American Red Cross unites volunteers globally in a common mission of service to others — a mission that blood donor Frank Riley strongly believes in. From his time serving in the U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps to serving his communities as a pastor, Frank has made it a priority to live out the Red Cross mission in every aspect of his life.

Frank has been a consistent blood donor since 2008 after learning that he has cytomegalovirus (CMV) negative blood, a rare blood type needed by premature babies and children with weakened immune systems. He was informed of his rare blood type during his first donation at a drive hosted by the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

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