Volunteer finds new home with the Red Cross after retirement

Volunteering with the American Red Cross can mark the opening of a new chapter for people looking for continued growth and purpose in life. Ninety percent of the Red Cross workforce is volunteers. Your time and talent can make a real difference in people's lives.

Deb Lozano's career in industrial engineering began with the U.S. Department of Defense, and new opportunities in project management eventually brought her all over the world. Her last stop before retirement was in the pharmaceutical industry. 

“I found it stressful to be a woman in that role. There was a lot of pressure, having to prove myself over and over,” Lozano said, “but I saw a lot of places and had a lot of experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

When Lozano retired at age 57, she searched for opportunities to feel needed and be, in her words, a "productive part of society." She signed up to volunteer with several organizations in northeastern Pennsylvania, but did not find her niche right away. After two years, she decided to give the Red Cross a try. 

“My grandmother volunteered for the Red Cross in the 1960s. She always had a crisp uniform with a bunch of pins to represent the blood she donated, as well as pins for her service. I remember admiring her for volunteering,” Lozano said.

Lozano began her volunteer service with the Red Cross as a community outreach manager, helping to coordinate and train staff for community activities. Today, she leads a team of five people who support Red Cross Volunteer Services in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Region.

 

Lozano also supports Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces activities across Pennsylvania. She serves as a Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services Representative at the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center, providing support to veterans at the facility.

“I have found a volunteer home with the American Red Cross. I enjoy the work that I do and value all that the Red Cross does for others. I appreciate the staff and volunteers I work with, and have found them all to be top notch,” Lozano said.  “Every day is a new day working for the Red Cross. You start your day with a plan and are surprised along the way. It keeps things interesting.”

Lozano says the most important part about her job is not necessarily the work itself.

"What I get out of it more-so is the camaraderie with the volunteers and staff members," Lozano said. "It’s feeling appreciated and doing something that is worthwhile to others.”

To learn more about specific volunteer opportunities with the Red Cross in your area, please visit redcross.org/volunteer.

Red Cross blood donations help Pennsylvania sisters live life to the fullest

By: Nicole Roschella

Every day, Red Cross blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer and chronic diseases. A pair of sisters from northeastern Pennsylvania have been on the receiving end of those lifesaving donations countless times.

Jill Deitrick adopted her daughters, Madison, 13, and MaeLeigh, 12, from China, knowing they had beta thalassemia major, a genetic blood disorder that disproportionately affects those of Asian descent. People with beta thalassemia major do not produce enough hemoglobin, an oxygen-carrying protein, causing fewer red blood cells to exist in the body than normal.

Madison and MaeLeigh rely on blood transfusions every three weeks to keep them healthy and active. They have received more than 500 units of blood between the two of them.

“The Red Cross is so important to our lives,” Deitrick said. "If we didn’t have the Red Cross and the blood from donors... I can’t imagine.”

Without blood transfusions, individuals with beta thalassemia major can suffer from severe fatigue, weakness and slow growth. Madison and MaeLeigh both enjoy staying active and playing volleyball on traveling teams. 

“Regular blood transfusions make it possible for them to do all the activities they want to do. It gives them energy,” Deitrick said.

Madison, Deitrick’s oldest daughter, also enjoys being part of her school's drama club and sound crew.

“She likes watching YouTube videos and is very creative and funny, with a dry sense of humor,” Deitrick said. “MaeLeigh is a bundle of energy. When she’s having a good day, she’s the best antidepressant around!”

When you think of donating blood to the Red Cross, Deitrick wants you to think of the people you could potentially help.

“When you donate, you are not only helping individuals in emergency or surgical situations, but you are also saving the lives of children and adults living with blood disorders,” Deitrick said. “My daughters have endured more IV starts and port accesses than most adults.”

Madison and MaeLeigh’s continual need for blood transfusions motivated their family to host blood drives in their Bradford County community. To date, eight Red Cross blood drives held in their honor have collected approximately 270 units of blood, potentially saving more than 800 lives.

   

“While it may not be your favorite way to spend an hour, think of those children who may be spending an entire day in the hospital, receiving blood every 21 days,” Deitrick said. “The minor inconvenience to blood donors pales in comparison to the gift they’re giving.”

When asked what they would say to generous Red Cross blood donors, Madison and MaeLeigh’s response was simple.

“Thank you,” they said.

April is National Minority Health Month — a time to raise awareness about health disparities that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority populations. To help ensure all patients have access to the blood products they count on, donors are urged to make an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).