Monthly Archives: October 2025

Autumn Elegance Women’s Forum highlights impact of women in philanthropy across Northern Ohio

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By Jill Patterson, senior regional philanthropy officer, Tiffany Circle division lead

Earlier this month, the Barrington Country Club in Aurora was filled with warmth, inspiration, and the unmistakable energy of women coming together to create lasting change. The first-ever American Red Cross Women in Philanthropy event, Autumn Elegance Women’s Forum, was more than just an evening gathering. It was a celebration of connection, purpose, and the collective strength of women united by a mission that matters.

The event was hosted by members of the Red Cross of Northern Ohio Tiffany Circle and is part of the organization’s Women in Philanthropy initiative. This elegant forum brought together a dynamic community of women leaders and changemakers to celebrate the transformative power of giving and the profound impact of women in philanthropy. The event welcomed an extraordinary mix of Tiffany Circle members, major donors, business leaders and passionate supporters, all committed to advancing the mission of the Red Cross. Laurie Laidlaw Deacon, Red Cross of Northern Ohio Tiffany Circle chair, led us through the evening as guests were treated to heartfelt stories, meaningful conversations and a renewed sense of purpose. 

Debra Haufler, executive director of strategic planning, real estate services for the Red Cross shared a deeply moving mission moment, recounting her daughter’s journey with leukemia and the critical role Red Cross blood played in her treatment. Her story reminded everyone of the lifesaving impact behind every donation.

Anne McKeough, Red Cross chief development officer, introduced the Women in Philanthropy initiative, emphasizing its importance in empowering women to lead, influence, and champion change through strategic giving and community engagement.                             

Co-chair of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle National council Marilyn McClure-Demers closed the evening with a powerful call to action, inviting each guest to join us on this journey—to lend their voice, their passion and their leadership to a cause that touches lives every day.

The evening was a testament to what happens when women come together with intention. We left feeling inspired, connected, and more deeply committed to building a future shaped by compassion, generosity, and purpose.

From heartfelt conversations to powerful reflections, the event reminded us of the impact we can make when we lead with compassion and purpose. It marked the beginning of a journey—one where women’s voices, leadership, and generosity shape the future of philanthropy.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Your presence, passion, and belief in our mission made this night unforgettable.

To see more photos from the Autumn Elegance Women’s Forum, tap here.

Red Cross staff detects health issue in longtime blood donor during routine check in

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By Sam Pudelski, American Red Cross volunteer

Peggy Hammond has donated blood for over 40 years. As someone with O+ blood, she understands the importance of giving blood. She started giving blood after a friend had a daughter diagnosed with Apert syndrome and needed regular blood infusions. She realized how extremely important it was to donate blood to help people like her friend’s daughter, who rely on blood donations.

Fast forward a few years, and Peggy was at the American Red Cross Michael T. George Blood Donation Center checking in for her routine blood donation. When she was signing in, the nurse noticed a sore on her head and told Peggy, “I think it’s infected.” The supervisor confirmed it was, and Peggy wasn’t able to donate that day. Over Christmas, she contacted her doctor and after sending a picture of the spot in question, she went in to have it evaluated.

Her doctor determined the sore was not just an irritated spot on the head, but was in fact skin cancer, specifically squamous carcinoma. Approximately 2 out of every 10 skin cancers are squamous cell skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. Luckily, the cancer was caught early. Peggy had Mohs micrographic surgery to have the cancerous spot removed. The procedure went well, and with the surgical site healed, she was able to resume her regular blood donations.

She returned back to the donation center to begin her regular blood donations again, and of all people volunteering that day, the same nurse who discovered her spot, was there again! “She saved my life,” Peggy said. She was grateful to have the chance to tell her how much her catch that day helped her.

In speaking with Peggy, it’s evident she’s passionate about giving back and grateful that she’s still able to continue to donate to help others in need. If you are interested in donating blood, the Red Cross holds blood drives across Northern Ohio. To find an upcoming blood drive near you, visit redcrossblood.org.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

The Unseen Battle: Why Platelet Donations are Vital for Those Fighting Breast Cancer 

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  In the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their life, making breast cancer the second most common cancer in women behind skin cancer.   

Mother and son, Rosalie Lang and Ryan Lang

Almost all of us have been affected in one way or another by this terrible disease, whether it has impacted a family member, friend, associate, or oneself.  Ryan Lang, Regional Communications Manager at the American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region, shared his own personal story back in February about his mom’s battle with breast cancer.  You can read his story HERE. 

When dealing with any cancer, transfusions are often an important and crucial part of treatment.  Chemotherapy and radiation cause bone marrow suppression, reducing the number of blood cells that the body can produce.  Low counts of red and white blood cells and platelets lead to symptoms like anemia, immunosuppression, and risk of hemorrhage.   

With around one-fourth of all blood products and half of all platelets used in the U.S. by patients who are fighting cancer, it is crucial to maintain an adequate blood supply. 

Platelet donations are needed daily, as they have a shelf life of only about 5 days.  However, most are tested and used within 3 days.  The need is so great that every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. receives a platelet infusion.   

Donating platelets is by appointment only and will take around 3 hours of your time, but a single donation can help up to 3 people in need.  Here are some things to expect at your visit: 

  • 3 hours from start to finish includes set up, pre-donation questionnaire, and refreshments afterwards. 
  • A smaller needle is used to donate platelets than a standard blood donation, making the process more comfortable for some. 
  • Eligibility is the same as that for whole blood donations. 
  • It is possible to donate both plasma and platelets at the same time if you choose. 
  • Some find recovery to be easier than blood donations, as the fluids and red blood cells are returned to you during the process. 

Make a difference this October and help those fighting breast cancer and beyond by considering a life-giving donation. Donate platelets by Oct. 19 and receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, or donate between Oct. 20–Nov. 3 to receive an American Red Cross Platelet Donor t-shirt, while supplies last! 

To learn more about platelet donations, click the link HERE.  You can schedule an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App HERE, or by visiting this link HERE. 

Fire Prevention Week: Making Northern Ohio communities safer

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By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross volunteer 

Full confession: More than once in my life, I’ve walked into the kitchen and found my teakettle boiled dry, glowing red hot on the stove. I’d neglected to turn the burner off before I left the room.  A-a-a-a-ck! 

Lucky for me, I took action before my kitchen caught fire. But every year, more than 330,000 homes across America are hit by fires – some minor and some devastating – according to the National Fire Protection Association. 

In northern Ohio alone, the American Red Cross responded to nearly 1,050 home fires between June 30, 2024, and July 1 of this year. Those alarms involved more than 4,600 people. Tragically, 25 adults and 11 children lost their lives. 

Nobody should become that kind of a statistic.  

As we slide toward the colder months, National Fire Prevention Week is a good time to review common sense prevention tips: 

  • Be sure anything that gets hot, like a portable heater, is at least three feet from furniture or curtains. 
  • Do not smoke in bed or on the sofa or stuffed furniture. 
  • Never leave candles unattended. 
  • Don’t leave the kitchen with pots, pans, skillets or teakettles on the stove, like I did! 
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach of youngsters and teach them not to play with fire. 
  • Test smoke alarms monthly and practice a home escape plan twice a year. 
  • Identify devices in your home that have lithium-ion batteries: cell phones, laptops, tablets, eReaders, game controllers, digital cameras and tools, among other things. Learn how to buy, charge, store and recycle them safely.  

Red Cross volunteers are ready to respond to home fires and other emergencies 24/7, but we’re also active with our home fire campaign year-round. It’s a life-and-death mission to cut that 330,000 fires number as “low as you can go.” (Remember limbo?) And to cut the fire-related deaths number to zero! 

Fire safety experts have four solid recommendations: 

  • Have smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 
  • Test smoke alarms every month and if they’re not working, change the batteries. If your alarm is more than 10 years old, replace it; smoke detection elements only last 10 years. 
  • Talk with all family members about at least two ways to get out of the home in case of a fire, and practice that escape at least twice a year. Remember, you have just two minutes to get out of your home in case of fire. 
  • If a fire does occur, Get Out, Stay Out, and Call for Help! Be sure all children in the home know those important actions. No stop, drop and roll; no hiding from the alarm; no going back inside for a pet or a favorite toy. GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP! 

The Red Cross home fire campaign, which we call Sound The Alarm, pulls together volunteers, fire departments and local partners to go door-to-door to install free smoke alarms and to help residents draw up fire escape plans for their home.  

Volunteers installing a smoke alarm in an Akron, Ohio resident’s home during a May 2025 Sound the Alarm event

In fiscal 2025, that campaign made some 9,200 residents of northern Ohio safer. Meanwhile, volunteers presented our Prepare with Pedro home fire safety programs to more than 3,800 children.  

And this is saving lives! Since Sound The Alarm began at the national level 11 years ago, we’ve confirmed 2,489 lives have been saved specifically by our alarms and safety plans nationwide. Some 31% of those lives saved were children and teens under the age of 18. 

All services provided by the Red Cross are free, made possible by the generosity of the American people. If you’d like to volunteer your time, take a class or make a financial donation to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to an emergency – from a home fire to a medical emergency to a natural disaster – please go to www.redcross.org.