Everyday Stories

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Carter’s Journey: How Blood Donations Help Kids Keep Being Kids

By Rachelle Lipker Carter Gustin is a 14-year-old who embodies the spirit of a typical teenager—active, social, and deeply passionate about sports. Before his diagnosis, he was almost always outside, moving from one activity to the next. He loves being with friends, competing in sports, and would rarely spend time sitting still. A true multi-sport athlete, Gustin loves participating in baseball, basketball, wrestling, golf, football and track. Carter Gustin Gustin’s health jo

NEIA Red Cross

Dec 19, 20253 min read

Blood drive brings Nebraska couple together

By Ashley Peterson-DeLuca About 30 years ago, Ron Nelson was helping his mother, a blood drive coordinator, by setting up tables for a blood drive in his hometown of Minden, Nebraska. Because he was there anyway, he decided to give blood. Fast-forward a half a lifetime later, Nelson has since donated 145 pints of blood products, almost enough to fill an F-150 gas tank. Each pint donated has the potential to save multiple lives. Nelson is now a Power Red donor . A Power Red do

NEIA Red Cross

Dec 16, 20252 min read

Nice to Meet You: Dylan Murphy

Meet Dylan. He is enthusiastic and engaging - two personality traits that fit well with his role as a donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. It's his job to build relationships in his territory around Lincoln, Nebraska, to encourage area residents to host blood drives and donate blood. Learn more about his career with the Red Cross, what motivates him and moments that stick with him. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or

NEIA Red Cross

Dec 11, 20252 min read

Keep the Holidays Bright: Simple Tips to Prevent Home Fires

The holidays are all about cozy vibes, twinkling lights and delicious meals—but did you know home fires spike by 20 percent during the holiday season? Cooking accidents, unattended candles and unsafe decorations are the usual culprits. One in five people the Red Cross assists after home fires are helped during the holiday months. Home fires can strike fast—sometimes giving you just two minutes to escape. The American Red Cross wants to help you keep the season safe and joyful

NEIA Red Cross

Nov 25, 20252 min read

A Year in the Life of an American Red Cross Volunteer

By Beth Roy On November 13, 2024, Angela O’Leary took a major step and applied online to join the American Red Cross. As her three children reached the age of independence, O’Leary had talked with her husband about her goal of becoming more involved in local volunteer opportunities. She hoped to find a way to give back and was excited to try something new. The O’Learys made their home in Nebraska, but it was her memory of seeing the devastating floods in Asheville, North Caro

NEIA Red Cross

Nov 20, 20253 min read

Nice to Meet You: Katie Tellus

Meet Katie. She is passionate about blood donor recruitment and proud of the impact her work has on her community. Learn more about her role, how she spends her time and what fuels her commitment to her work. Katie (center) with her husband and son. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work on? A: As the donor recruitment supervisor for the Omaha donor recruitment team, I serve as both a creative and operational re

NEIA Red Cross

Nov 13, 20253 min read

Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross Honors Volunteers

On Thursday, Red Cross volunteers and staff from the Nebraska-Iowa Region gathered in person and online for the Nebraska-Iowa One Red Cross Volunteer Awards to celebrate each other’s work and many accomplishments in 2025. The sense of community was palpable at each chapter party, and even for those watching the event online. Eastern Iowa chapter awardees Volunteers were recognized for their hours of commitment, outstanding leadership and more. Those selected for awards were n

NEIA Red Cross

Nov 7, 20255 min read

Turn and test to keep your home safe

As daylight saving time ends this Sunday, November 2, we will turn our clocks back an hour. While you’re adjusting your clocks, take a few minutes to test your smoke alarms. This simple action could protect you and your family in the event of a home fire. “Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half,” says Emily Holley, Regional Communications Manager for the Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross. “You only have about two minutes to escape a burning home safely. Every

NEIA Red Cross

Oct 31, 20252 min read

Nice to Meet You: Rebecca McCarty

Meet Rebecca. She is a vital member of our biomedical services team. Her work ensures that enough blood drives are scheduled to maintain a healthy blood supply. She is also a busy mom and passionate advocate for volunteering in her community. Q: Could you explain what your title means and take us through your workday, or what projects you work on? A: I am the Iowa East strategic business planner, which means that I am in charge of planning and booking our drives on the calen

NEIA Red Cross

Oct 22, 20254 min read

Nebraska Couple Ready When There Is A Need

By Janet Flanagan Most Red Cross volunteers don’t hop in a plane to respond to a local disaster. But Mike and Linda Nielsen of McCook, Neb., have. Since they live in a rural area close to the borders of Kansas and Colorado, Mike Nielsen’s Beechcraft Sierra four-seat airplane can sometimes get them to a Red Cross emergency scene faster than a car. Linda and Mike Nielsen The Nielsens have responded to fires, floods and other disasters in Southwest Nebraska since 2008. They’

NEIA Red Cross

Oct 16, 20253 min read