A father’s need becomes a daughter’s mission

by Dan Dowling – regional communications manager 

"The year of the first Vermont flood, my dad became ill.” 

Alyssa Atkins is a dedicated medical assistant at her local health center in Plainfield, Vermont. For the past seven years, she has been a vital part of the care team, gaining experience in phlebotomy and orthopedic practice. She is also transforming her interest in helping others into a lifesaving mission, inspired by her dad’s need for blood. 

In 2023, Alyssa’s father experienced acute abdominal pain and vomiting for a week. Alyssa grew concerned and knew her father’s symptoms were serious. 

“He had a very slow gastrointestinal bleed,” she said. "He finally felt weak enough to have me take him to the hospital.” 

Her father's condition was critical, requiring urgent care and six units of blood to save his life. After a four-day hospital stay, he became a patient at the health center where his daughter worked.  

Motivated by her father's experience, Alyssa organized the first blood drive at The Health Center, initially promoting it to staff and patients. The response was positive, and subsequent drives saw even greater participation.  

“I came to find once we've had our community base that likes to donate at this location, it was much easier just to have the repeat people come in,” Alyssa recalled. 

Although blood donations remain essential to the health of our communities, disasters can impact a community’s ability to give blood. While Alyssa’s dad was working toward getting well, his hometown was facing daunting recovery of its own. 

“Right before that was the flood. He went into the hospital right after that. It was overwhelming, at times, getting him situated at home and helping the community,” Alyssa said. 

Over the past two years, Central Vermont has been hit with catastrophic flooding during separate July storms. In 2023, 315 trained Red Cross disaster volunteers descended on the state after flash flooding destroyed more than 500 homes, displacing hundreds of Vermonters, including members of Alyssa’s family. 

"My mom lived in downtown Barre where it got severely impacted. Her whole apartment was flooded, so she stayed with me for a couple of weeks," she said. 

Then, on the storm’s one year anniversary, another record flood pummeled many of the same communities. In 2024, nearly 100 homes were destroyed, with Plainfield experiencing the greatest damage. Once again, dozens of Red Crossers came to help, serving more than 3,500 meals and snacks, handing out nearly 3,000 emergency supply items and 450 clean-up kits. The health center where Alyssa worked served as a focal point for some of those relief efforts. 

"It was through the American Red Cross, in the same spot that we do the blood drive, that they brought food, cleaning buckets, and everything," she said. 

From blood drive cancelations to reduced donor availability, natural disasters can have a profound impact on the blood supply. Unfortunately, the need for blood does not stop for Mother Nature. Year-round, the Red Cross has a constant need for blood and platelet donors. We rely on blood drive organizers, like Alyssa, to plan, recruit donors and execute successful blood drives in our local communities. That’s because every two seconds someone in this country needs blood. And while 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, 100% can volunteer to help host a lifesaving blood drive. 

Alyssa encourages others to volunteer and support local blood drives, knowing firsthand the lifesaving difference it can make. For more information on how you can host a blood drive, click here. 

The American Red Cross urges donors to make a resolution to help save lives in 2025. One donation can help save more than one life! Make your appointment to give blood by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).