My Red Cross Story: Miss Virginia 2020, Katelyn Page

Katelyn Page, Miss Virginia 2020

Written by: Clarice Nassif Ransom, Communications Volunteer

Volunteer: Katelyn O. Page, Miss Virginia 2020
Resides: Prince William County, Virginia
Years of volunteer service: Ongoing since the age of 16

Highlights of American Red Cross Volunteer Work: 

• Ongoing blood donor; hosted an American Red Cross blood drive as Miss Virginia 2020
• Deployed as a Shelter Associate during Hurricane Laura
• Deployed as a Disaster Cycle Services Caseworker for Hurricane Laura recovery
• Served as the American Red Cross Ambassador and Miss Virginia 2020 at the Annual Charity Golf Classic Fundraiser at the Robert Trent Jones Golf 
• Served as a volunteer at U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Lying in State

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"My best advice is that you will never have enough time to do everything on your plate. However, if it is important to you, you will make time. 

Volunteering is everything, and you always get back more than you give."

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Meet Katelyn O. Page, Miss Virginia 2020, and an avid American Red Cross volunteer. Katelyn began her journey volunteering with the American Red Cross when she was 16-years old.

“I have donated with the American Red Cross since I was just 16-years old through blood donations,” said Katelyn. 

“Once I knew the impact that my O- blood type could make for others, I knew that I had to continue donating and encouraging others to join me.”

Kaitlyn is a regular O- blood donor. Only 7% of the population have O- blood.
Due to the versatility for transfusions, it is in high demand, but one of the rarest
 blood type's and  first supply to run out during a shortage.

Through donating blood, Katelyn feels she has helped save lives.

“Per the American Red Cross, just one blood donation can save up to three lives,” said Katelyn. 

“Something beautiful is that the American Red Cross has let me know some of the hospitals where my blood has gone to. That is the most tangible way that I know I have helped save a life.”

Katelyn continues helping others in need by volunteering wherever disasters occur. 

“The American Red Cross goes where the need is, during times of both calm and disaster,” said Katelyn.

“The American Red Cross ensures that various aspects of public health and disaster are addressed.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Katelyn rolled-up her sleeves and became a more active American Red Cross volunteer.

“At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I knew that I had to support the American Red Cross in any way that I could,” said Katelyn. “The COVID-19 pandemic inspired me to take a more active role. As such, I serve as a Disaster Cycle Services Caseworker, which allows me the opportunity to support others during their greatest time of need.”

Katelyn has also been deployed as an American Red Cross volunteer nationally, serving on the frontlines helping others to recover in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura, a destructive Category 4 hurricane that slammed Louisiana in late August 2020, causing loss of life and devastation of property. Katelyn worked in an American Red Cross shelter and was able to build strong connections with the people she served, helping to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and even the birth of a baby born during Hurricane Laura.

Katelyn deployed multiples times in support of Hurricane Laura
during this historical and devastating hurricane season.

“One connection that I will always cherish is a family whose child was born during the hurricane,” said Katelyn. “The family was heartbroken to not have a home to bring their baby to, but they explained that the American Red Cross made the shelter feel like home. During that time, we truly saw that home is where your loved ones are, it is not a building nor space.”

Katelyn (second from the right) in Lousiana with some fellow
volunteers supporting those affected by Hurricane Laura.

Katelyn encourages everyone to volunteer. 

“My best advice is that you will never have enough time to do everything on your plate,” said Katelyn. 

“However, if it is important to you, you will make time. Volunteering is everything, and you always get back more than you give.”

Katelyn devotes her reign as Miss Virginia 2020 to volunteering.

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“Serving as Miss Virginia 2020 has provided me with the opportunity to inspire other young people to do hard things, and to strive to reach a goal that they may have previously thought unattainable.” 

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Katelyn served as the American Red Cross Ambassador and
Miss Virginia 2020 at the Annual Charity Golf Classic.

“I have dedicated my reign to promoting child advocacy and advocacy in young people. It is my hope that young people will become advocates themselves. The American Red Cross has helped me to do this work.”

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You can join us too! 

To become a volunteer, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

To make a financial donation, visit redcross.org.

To make an appointment to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org