Generations of Compassion: Saniya Chandy’s Story of Inspired Service
Story by Selena Nisha
Every individual has their own unique life story that has shaped them into the person they are today. The experiences we encounter on this journey of life often play a major part in shaping our future decisions. Saniya Chandy shares her experience as a Red Crosser and how her father inspired her to further pursue a career in healthcare.
At the young age of 15, Saniya began to volunteer with the Red Cross in 2022. After witnessing her father’s passion for nursing grow when he took his First Aid/CPR training course, she too was motivated to take a similar endeavor. She quicky took a First Aid/CPR training course that certified her to be a part of the American Canyon Junior Lifeguard Program and began her Red Cross journey shortly thereafter.
Her inspiration to support our humanitarian mission comes from her father, Ramnik Chandy, a psychiatric nurse. “My dad’s journey has instilled my faith in selfless service and the joy that comes from helping others,” she states. “I’ve heard countless stories from my father about the mentally ill patients he has worked with and the positive connections he has made with them. However, none of that would be possible if programs like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association didn’t exist.” Both these organizations have shaped their passion for psychiatric medicine through training and volunteer opportunities, enabling them to be advocates for equitable care, regardless of any barriers one may face.
When Saniya was younger, she had the perception that only adults had the chance to make a significant impact in the community as a volunteer, since many organizations she hoped to volunteer for did not accept her because of her age. But that changed when she found the Red Cross.
“I was accepted with open arms to receive the CPR/AED certification from the Red Cross. Being put in realistic scenarios, from treating scrapes and burns, to drowning victim rescue situations, made me adaptable and more capable to handle stressful situations while caring for those experiencing medical emergencies,” she explains.
Ramnik shares his delight that his daughter is continuing a similar career path and states, “As nurses, we have the opportunity to heal the body, however, all humans are given the unique ability to understand others and exercise our empathy through selfless service.” Saniya’s Red Cross experience as a volunteer allowed her to connect with her father, pursuing medicine as a professional career while truly understanding the passion to give back in a variety of roles with the Red Cross.
“One memorable Red Cross experience I hold dear is writing letters to veterans during a meeting,” Saniya says. She was extremely joyful about giving service members the appreciation they deserve. “It goes to show that even as teenagers, the work we do behind the scenes matters just as much.”
Volunteers carry out 90% of the humanitarian work of the Red Cross. Here in the Northern California Coastal Region, over 7,000 committed individuals like Saniya turn their compassion into action helping us to strengthen their communities. If you want to join Saniya, learn more here.