Dr. Amy Acton, local health-care workers to be honored by American Red Cross
Former Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton and local health care workers will be honored during the 25th American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Celebration from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. .
Presented by Nationwide, the virtual event will highlight the men and women who have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of community members during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re proud to support our long-time partner — the American Red Cross — and the commendable 2021 Humanitarians of the Year,” Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker said in press material. “We’re grateful for the brave men and women on the front lines of health care who, at great personal risk, are serving their community and their fellow citizens in extraordinary ways during these challenging times. They’re not only humanitarians, they’re our heroes.”
Along with Acton, Memorial Health in Union County, Mount Carmel Health Systems, Nationwide Children's Hospital, OhioHealth and the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center will be honored. Each of the five health care systems, through video vignettes, will chronicle the sacrifices their workers have made.
Given the efforts of Acton and Columbus' health care workers, Cory Paul, executive director of the American Red Cross Greater Columbus Chapter, said this year's list of honorees couldn't be more fitting.
"With it being the COVID year, it really gave us pause on what it really means to be a humanitarian in a system and global pandemic," he said. "It's an opportunity for us to show the impact of these organizations and people who do good in general."
The event, which will be hosted by Kerry Charles of WCMH-TV (Channel 4), Yolanda Harris of WBNS-TV (Channel 10) and Stacia Naquin of WSYX-TV (Channel 6) and WTTE-TV (Channel 28), will be available free on the GiveSmart virtual fundraising platform at www.togetherohio.givesmart.com.
In addition to recognizing the contributions of health care workers, the event also serves as an opportunity for community members, corporations and local foundations to donate funding toward the Columbus' Red Cross chapter. Paul said this support will allow the organization to continue providing community-based programs.
At a glance
The 25th American Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Celebration will take place virtually from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday. To watch the event, or to make a donation to the Red Cross, visit www.togetherohio.givesmart.com.