CROSSING BORDERS, SAVING LIVES. Mary Jane Thomsen has years of experience organizing and running blood donation drives through the American Red Cross. Now, she's excited to take her humanitarian efforts to the next level as executive director of the Northwest Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Mary Jane Thomsen never knows what a day will look like in her new role as executive director for the Northwest Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Nevertheless, she uses her years of blood drive management experience to juggle the myriad demands of her new job. As a nonprofit chartered by the U.S. Congress, the American Red Cross provides domestic and international disaster relief and supports acting military personnel. Volunteers are essential to the organization. “We always need more,” Thomsen said. 

There are many ways to get involved with the Red Cross, from getting messages to service people stationed overseas to helping families and individuals both pre- and post-deployment, running regular blood drives, and providing essential care and support after a disaster, alongside a range of local community projects. 

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I go into work every day in order to help people live their best possible lives.

It is incredibly humbling to meet a blood recipient whose life changed because of a transfusion and to have firsthand knowledge of how providing disaster relief can offer hope and healing to those impacted.

Mary Jame Thomsen

Executive Director, Northwest Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross

Thomsen encourages people to think about what excites them, and then look for related opportunities within the Red Cross.

“I go into work every day in order to help people live their best possible lives,” she said.  “It is incredibly humbling to meet a blood recipient whose life changed because of a transfusion and to have firsthand knowledge of how providing disaster relief can offer hope and healing to those impacted.”

After years of working in northern Minnesota, Illinois, and Missouri in blood drive management and then as executive director for the Red Cross’ Greater St. Louis Chapter, the Minnesota native said it felt like the right time to move closer to home. She has worked remotely since her appointment in August, and is looking forward to settling down in the area when she moves to Eau Claire in January. 

Not surprisingly, the Northwest Wisconsin Chapter covers a significant amount of geography, meaning that travel will be a regular part of her work. The chapter runs out of an office at 3728 Spooner Ave. in Altoona and serves 17 counties across the region.

“I love it,” she said. “There’s so many people to meet.” 

For more information on the Northwest Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross, visit redcross.org/local/wisconsin.html.