Teen Red Cross Volunteer Dedicates Service to her Sister's Legacy

Red Crossers Megan Rardon and Jodi Gallo have made volunteering a family mission.

Megan Rardon is a Red Cross volunteer for life. She's only 17, but she's already pledged her life-long dedication to the Red Cross mission and to the people of her hometown of Morgantown, West Virginia. Megan loves being a volunteer for so many reasons, but the cornerstone of her commitment is the memory of her baby sister.

Today would have been Megan's sister Courtney's 16th birthday. Courtney died of leukemia at the age of four. But because of weekly blood transfusions, Courtney lived a year and a half longer than she would have without them. In all, Courtney received five gallons of blood products. After her death -- in honor of her -- Courtney's family made a vow to donate back all five gallons -- and so much more -- to the American Red Cross.

Megan's mom, Jodi Gallo, has also given the best of herself to the Red Cross. Jodi began her Red Cross career as a Blood Services Coordinator for the River Valley Chapter, a job she applied for in an effort to repay all of those who donated the blood that kept Courtney alive. Jodi currently serves as the chapter's Health and Safety Director.

Jodi and Megan have been working around the clock this past week, providing disaster relief and support to the people affected by flooding in north central West Virginia. "This has been such a rewarding experience," said Megan. "This is my first relief operation since becoming a trained disaster volunteer, and it's like I've added so many more people to my extended family." More than 50 volunteers from all over the country have come to Morgantown to assist in the relief effort in five surrounding counties.

Megan is also a trained Red Cross CPR instructor, and a regular blood donor. "I donated blood for the first time, on the 12th anniversary of Courtney's diagnosis, in memory of her." said Megan. "I will never forget what the Red Cross did for my family, and I want to do all I can to give some of that back."

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