Zahra (left) with her older sister, Crystal, enjoying the holidays circa 1993. – Photo courtesy of Zahra Moutabakkir
At just two years old, Zahra Moutabakkir was fighting for her life. Diagnosed with a mysterious autoimmune disease, she spent 12 weeks in the hospital, undergoing numerous blood transfusions as doctors struggled to save her. “My mom prayed for a miracle,” Zahra recalls, “and after weeks of uncertainty, my white blood cell count miraculously started to recover.” Those transfusions saved her life, leaving an impactful mark that would shape her future and create a lifelong bond with the American Red Cross while donning the honorable military uniform
“My connection to the Red Cross began as a child, and it’s been a constant in my life ever since,” Zahra says. “Without those blood transfusions, I wouldn’t be here. I’ve been donating blood ever since I could, knowing how important it is.”
A Red Cross volunteer shares what the Loma Prieta earthquake – and the hours that followed – were like from the Red Cross office in San Jose.
A Red Cross worker surveys the damage caused by the Lomo Prieta earthquake in the Santa Cruz area.
By Franci Collins, Red Cross Volunteer
I will always remember where I was at 5:04 p.m. on October 17, 1989. I had just walked into the San Jose Chapter of the Red Cross. Coincidentally, I was scheduled to teach an earthquake preparedness class that night, the first in several months as classes were often cancelled due to lack of enrollment. I wanted to get there before 5 p.m. to make sure all the equipment was available and working.
The slide projector was on a table right inside the classroom door and I had just turned it on and off when the ground started shaking. I am happy to say that my six years of training paid off, as I immediately ducked under the table and held on. The shaking seemed to go on for an extremely long time and I spent most of it imagining the slide projector being progressively shaken towards the edge of the table. I had time to decide that if it fell off, I would stay where I was and not try to save it.
Bruce Richardson and Hanna Malak, Regional CEO during the award ceremony. Photo: Virginia & Albert Becker – American Red cross
October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, a time to reflect about the critical nature of sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of life-saving training. This month, we honor the stories of those who have trained and stepped up in such critical moments.
On February 6, 2023, Bruce Richardson witnessed a man collapse in the parking lot of an auto parts shop in Los Gatos, California. Without hesitation, he sprang into action, demonstrating the true spirit of heroism.
The individual in distress, a long-term employee of the shop, was experiencing cardiac arrest. As his coworkers called 911, Bruce began performing CPR on the unresponsive man. His decisive actions were crucial in those critical moments.
Bruce worked as a national ski patrolman for 20 years. As part of his professional training, he learned CPR and advanced first aid. However, it was his determination and courage to face this life-threating situation what really sustain the man’s life until emergency responders arrived.
For this heroic and lifesaving action, Bruce received the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action in a ceremony in San Jose.
“The Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action is given to individuals like Bruce, who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life,” said Ken Toren, Executive Director for the Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter. “He exemplifies the mission of the Red Cross to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies.”
Bruce Richardson’s story is an inspiring example of how training, combined with a willingness to act, can save lives.
Every year, our region honors volunteers who best exemplify the spirit of volunteerism with the prestigious, “Volunteer of the Year Award”. These awardees are exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions over the past calendar year, serving in multiple roles and across various lines of service.
Meet our Volunteers of the Year from across the region:
Sheryl Calija Bay Area Chapter Manteca, CA
Sheryl Calija has been part of the Red Cross in Alameda since 2021, and she has been integral to the Disaster Action Team (DAT). Every month, she ensures their schedule is posted, accurate, and easily accessible, becoming a model for other territories. She has also been a very helpful guide when onboarding new volunteers.
“I was absolutely shocked when I learned I was getting this award and very proud to be recognized for my work,” said Sheryl.
Sheryl joined the Red Cross after she moved back to California and wanted to volunteer. She was excited when she got a position as a DAT Duty Officer. After a while, she wanted a position that would further allow her to interact with those affected by disasters so she became a caseworker. Sheryl had to take a step back due to family commitments, but she has continued being a valued volunteer with her scheduling contributions.
Linda Crippin Bay Area Chapter Brentwood, CA
After retiring, Linda Crippin wanted to continue helping others, so she decided to join the Red Cross. She currently serves as a Recovery Coordinator, overseeing a strong team of caseworkers, routinely assisting other chapters in training new caseworkers and helping with multi-unit family fire response in Contra Costa County and other territories. She volunteers for Sound the Alarm events and leads one of the smoke alarm installation teams for the Home Fire Campaign. In addition, she is a very active Presentation Assistant for two youth programs – The Pillowcase Project and Prepare with Pedro – and connected with organizations to gather donations for disaster victims. She has also led multiple Integrated Care and Condolence Teams.
One of her most memorable moments with the Red Cross was when she assisted with recovery efforts from tornados in Oklahoma in 2013, where she saw the suffering that disasters can bring. “I was very humbled and honored to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award. I never thought I would be worthy of such an esteemed honor. I am grateful to those who nominated me and only hope I can maintain the quality of work that brought me such recognition,” said Linda.
Beverly Bernhardson Heart of the Valley Chapter Stockton, CA
Beverly inherited her dedication to volunteerism from her family. Her parents always helped others, and her father was a regular blood donor. She began volunteering with Red Cross after her oldest son joined a Boy Scouts of America troop sponsored by the Red Cross in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“I have never been one to expect rewards for my work. I grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota and learned at a young age to work hard. Seeing the end result of your hard work was your payment and made you feel like you had accomplished something. It is good to know that others appreciate the work I do and have recognized me for it. I hope to continue volunteering for the Red Cross for many more years and hearing more stories from everyone,” said Beverly.
Kay Tsenin North Bay Chapter Novato, CA
Kay Tsenin is the lead of the North Bay Chapter’s Sound the Alarm (STA) program and regularly volunteers as a Disaster Action Team member. Under her leadership, the local STA team has exceeded all goals for individual and event-based smoke alarm installations.
“I am very proud to have received the award. It is really an award for the whole team. I do not do this work alone. It is truly a team effort, and I am just the band leader of this incredible team of volunteers,” said Kay.
Originally from Shanghai, China, Kay noticed the work of Red Cross volunteers ever since she was five. In 2017, she felt compelled to volunteer herself at a local disaster center in Oakland, during the Bay Area wildfires. When she started regularly volunteering at the Marin Office, she became hooked on the work that she was doing and the people in the organization.
John Williams North Bay Chapter Benicia, CA
John Williams is known for his services across the Disaster Cycle Services Team. John is always ready to lead Be Red Cross Ready presentations at a moment’s notice. He also takes an active role in supporting the local mass care team and is ready to jump into action.
John started volunteering with Red Cross after seeing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and thought of Red Cross as “a long-respected organization with proven results in alleviating human suffering.”
“Red Cross has trained me to become a kind and professional part of that volunteer workforce. I wear my Red Cross hat and vest with pride knowing I am a small part of a large organization that helps people before, during and after disasters,” said John.
Ben Greenberg North Bay Chapter Santa Rosa, CA
Ben Greenberg volunteers for many Red Cross activities, such as teaching CPR classes and installing smoke alarms for Sound the Alarm. He’s known for always being available when a volunteer is needed.
Ben started volunteering with the Red Cross after the Tubbs Fire in 2017. He also wanted to give back to his community that helped him thrive while having a disability.
“I also volunteer to show others with disabilities that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Being the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award surprised me. It is a great honor to be recognized for my accomplishments. I would like to thank the Red Cross for the opportunity to serve my community and the support to do so,” said Ben.
Pam Chapell North Bay Chapter American Canyon, CA
Pam Chapell serves as the de facto Disaster Chair in Napa County, a Disaster Action Team Coordinator and an event organizer. She’s contributed a lot to the Red Cross mission, conducting presentations for the Napa County Fire Chiefs Association, assisting with Sound the Alarm events and supporting the American Canyon High School Red Cross Club.
Pam joined the Red Cross in 2018, after retiring. She was looking to do something meaningful and when people were affected by the Tubbs Fire, she noticed how much they appreciated help from the Red Cross.
“It amazes me how resilient people can be even when they are having the worst day of their lives. Watching how they help and support their friends and neighbors who are going through it too,” said Pam.
Fellow Red Cross volunteers Peggy Wegnerof the Silicon Valley Chapter and Tom Wiley of the Central Coast Chapter also received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Congratulations to our incredible awardees for this well-deserved recognition!
Anna-mary Geist holds up a photo of her son in hospital when he was born with half a heart 13 years ago. Photo by Alex Keilty / American Red Cross
They found out something was wrong when Anna-mary Geist had an ultrasound at 12 weeks pregnant: her baby’s heart wasn’t formed properly.
“They told us his heart defect was so severe that he wouldn’t make it to delivery,” Anna-mary recalled.
At one of her subsequent prenatal checkups, the doctor said, ‘I don’t know how he is still surviving,’ remembered Anna-mary. “You hope for the best, you pray a lot,” she said.
But survive he did. All the way through a full-term pregnancy until he could be delivered by c-section to be born at noon on September 1, 2010 with two teams of doctors waiting for him in the delivery room, nobody knowing what to expect. Baby Samuel was immediately rushed to a nearby children’s hospital, accompanied by Anna-mary’s husband, Jerry. Anna-mary didn’t see their baby again until after 10 p.m. that night.
“Oh my gosh, he is so cute!” That was her first thought when she saw Samuel, known as Sam, who was severely swollen from fetal hydrops, with wires attached all around him, along with tubes for breathing and feeding.
Their baby was born with Kabuki syndrome – a rare congenital disorder that can affect many body systems, including the heart, intestines, kidneys, and skeleton. Sam had a congenital heart defect – HLHS – hypoplastic left heart syndrome. HLHS is when the left side of the heart does not form correctly, and in Sam’s case, not at all, which affects blood flow through the heart and out into the body
Sam was born with half a heart and required open-heart surgery at 36 hours old. Photo courtesy of Anna-mary Geist
“He basically has half a heart,” explained Anna-mary.
At 36 hours old, their baby needed open-heart surgery that required several blood transfusions. That is how Anna-mary’s journey with the American Red Cross began.
“I came to the Red Cross because the people who receive Red Cross donations are the people who saved him,” said Anna-mary, about the donors who provided Sam’s life-saving blood transfusions.
Anna-mary had donated blood before Sam came along. But after he was born, his family – which includes his father Jerry, and sisters Emily, 15, and Julia, 10 – began to host an annual Red Cross blood drive. They hold it in the first week of September in their hometown in Massachusetts to commemorate Sam’s birthday and as a way to give back to the community.
An open-heart surgery at two days old was not Sam’s last. In his life he has had three open-heart surgeries that all required blood transfusions, and 17 surgeries in all.
“He is a fighter. He clearly wants to be here for something,” said Anna-mary. “We are just along for the ride.”
Today, Sam is a happy and active 13-year-old who attends regular school with some support and plays adaptive sports every week – baseball, basketball, soccer and lacrosse – with other special needs children. His mom says in addition to being the player, sometimes he plays the coach and dresses in a suit, while other days he’s a cheerleader when the mood strikes him.
Sam, as a toddler, greets blood donors at his annual Red Cross blood drive. Photo courtesy of Anna-mary GeistSam’s father Jerry, mother Anna-mary and sisters Emily and Julia host an annual Red Cross blood drive and his mother hosts quarterly blood drives at Intuit’s global headquarters. Photo courtesy of Anna–mary Geist
“He is such a gift. If there is a way we can give back to someone else, why wouldn’t we? Blood donations are easy… and free!” she said.
In addition to Sam’s annual birthday blood drive, in 2023 Anna-mary started hosting quarterly blood drives at Intuit’s global headquarters in Mountain View, California. She is employed by Intuit as an indirect tax research manager and project manager. Anna-mary most recently donated blood on May 7, 2024 at a blood drive at Intuit where 30 of her fellow employees made appointments to donate as well.
Sam also appreciates the blood donors who saved his life. He greets them at his blood drives with the biggest smile. Anna-mary said, “He knows the gift he has been given.”
Photos of the blood drive at Intuit on May 7, 2024 can be viewed here.
American Red Cross Regional CEO Hanna Malak (left) celebrates his friend Rodrigo Galindo’s 50th blood donation to the Red Cross at the San José blood center.
“We were the same age, we went to Boy Scout camp together,” says Rodrigo Galindo recalling his friend Steven. “Our dads served together on the same ship in the US Navy.”
When Steven became sick with leukemia, Rodrigo was about 13 years old and felt powerless to help. And then when Steven lost his battle with cancer, Rodrigo’s whole family mourned the loss. “We were god brothers,” he says.
Never forgetting his friend and the importance of blood donations for cancer treatment, Rodrigo donated blood for the first time in high school as soon as he was old enough. Since then, he has become a regular blood donor and recently celebrated an extra special accomplishment: his 50th blood donation to the American Red Cross.
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