Robotic therapy pets find their forever home at Veterans Hospital in Madison

By Laura McGuire, American Red Cross

Members of the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross Southwest Wisconsin Chapter, John Heisler, Sara Horein and Elizabeth Kirchstein made a special delivery to the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison WI. During Red Cross Month, six companion robotic therapy dogs and cats, found their forever home.

Four dogs and two cats arrived ready to react to human touch and voice, similar to a real pet. Their main intent will be to improve residents’ wellbeing through lowering anxiety and raising companionship. The use of robotic pets has shown to be highly effective in lessening loneliness, improving communications, and facilitating social interactions.

According to multiple studies, these interactive robopets are proven to provide joy and comfort to those with dementia and memory issues who experience agitation. The robopets can help residents calm down, feel less agitated and provide the pet owner with a sense of responsibility, care and structure. The robopets can be petted, combed and even washed. There is no need to feed, walk or clean up after them.

The Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces in Wisconsin is excited to provide the robopets to the Veterans hospital when so many residents are experiencing increased isolation due to medical conditions.

Elizabeth Kirchstein, Kyle Kriegl, Jim Barrett, Matthew Jones, Saran Horein and John Heisler.

Jeff Kazel, Interim Director for Service to the Armed Forces in Wisconsin couldn’t have imagined a time where furry robotic animals would provide comfort and healing for Veterans. “The animals are a wonderful addition to the facility,” said Kazel. “We are hoping Veterans create a meaningful connection with their companions and are taken back to a happy, comforting time. We anticipate the robopets will become part of the resident’s life, given names and be treated like any living pet.”

The Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces is dedicated supporting to our valued veteran community in all phases of their life. If you are  interested in helping our veteran community, please reach out to RedCross.org for volunteer opportunities in your area.

Green Bay man donates 176 gallons of blood to help the tiniest of patients

By Laura McGuire, American Red Cross

Bill “Waz” Waerzeggers from Green Bay, WI knows the importance of giving blood. In December Waz celebrated 34 years of donating. At his most recent donation on Wednesday, March 6, Waz hit over 1407 units of blood donated which equates to 176 gallons! That’s a breakdown of 43 units of whole blood, 935 units of platelets, 105 units of plasma and 324 adjusted units. Over the course of 34 years Waz has donated 706 times.

“It’s the little things in life that we can do to make a big difference and I am so happy I can help,” said Waz. “Knowing that I am helping someone is such a good feeling, and everyone who can donate should donate to help others.”

While this is definitely an amazing milestone, there’s something even more special about Waz’s story. His blood type O-negative with CMV-negative antibodies means he’s a universal donor, he’s also among the 15% of the population with CMV-negative blood.

CMV-negative blood is referred to as pediatric-specific blood because it’s used to treat newborns whose immune systems are not yet fully developed. Babies needing transfusions as part of their medical care should only receive blood from donors who have not been exposed to CMV.

CMV, also known as Cytomegalovirus, is a flu-like virus that most adults are exposed to at some point in their lives. Regular testing is conducted on blood donations to check for CMV antibodies. The CMV virus is present in up to 85 percent of adults by age 40 making CMV negative status a special quality. CMV-negative blood has no CMV virus antibodies.

O-negative and O-positive donors who are CMV-negative are often referred to as “Heroes for Babies.” Without this special group of blood donors, sick babies would not receive the lifesaving blood transfusions they desperately need.

CMV-negative blood also helps people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer and transplant patients. Their systems are very fragile. Their eyes, lungs, liver, nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract may be damaged if they do not receive CMV-negative blood.

Thanks to donors like Waz, the Red Cross can send pediatric-specific blood products to hospitals throughout the country every day. Waz hopes to continue donating blood for as long as he can.

To learn more about how you can be a Hero for Babies, visit  https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/donor-rewards/hero-for-babies-rewards.html. To learn more about donating blood please visit RedCrossBlood.org.