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As an Emmy-nominated and PRNews award winning storyteller, author, spokesperson and media relations specialist, I believe stories are our most powerful tool to inspire action. Leveraging my empathetic skills, I dig through layers of noise to identify a story's true connective tissues, package it to strike the heart and amplify a message worth sharing.
Visit my blog: www.deependblog.com
Published Articles + Short Stories
A nightmare, a miracle, and a new life that cost me my old one
Published by Waveland Press, 2023. Compassion and empathy at the forefront of storytelling after a hurricane in The Bahamas
Published by Waveland Press, 2023. Keeping cool during an international interview as a cyclone hits Mozambique
On the heels of two mass shootings over the weekend, many of us have a hard time tearing our eyes away from the nonstop news coverage - ticker scrolls across the bottom of your screen, interjections mid-broadcast and constant headlines hitting the airwaves and your newsfeeds. It can feel overwhelming.
It's not necessarily that Americans don't want to do it. Many have just never been asked. To give blood, that is. It's the top reason why only 3% of Americans donate blood, when every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the American Red Cross .
As people turn to supplements to get more vitamin D, can they overdo it? The answer, according to medical professionals, is yes. Vitamin D is found naturally in foods such as milk and fatty fish, but it's also available in capsule form - a convenient source if taken responsibly.
"Does this spark joy?" It's what many Americans are asking themselves in an attempt to declutter their homes, thanks to organization expert Marie Kondo's popular Netflix series, "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up." But does all that decluttering keep our minds content, too? "When stuff piles up, we know that people often report feeling suffocated and panicked.
"Living life to the fullest" is more than just an expression on greeting cards. For pop culture icon, Olivia Newton-John, 70, it's a lifestyle choice that lets her feel free as she opts to not let a prognosis dictate her days.
"Are you scared?" I remember asking a nurse from the British Red Cross who had just spent 30 minutes suiting up in his personal protective equipment. Goggles tight, gown and apron secured, boots doused in chlorine, sweat droplets formed on his brow during the first round of training in Geneva.
By Katie Wilkes But for some, summer isn't always so bright. To start, studies show that one in 10 people suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in summer months, though the condition is most often associated with the winter months. For others, summer can be a reminder of a tough life milestone.
by Katie Wilkes "Don't be surprised if you find a monkey sitting in the bathroom. Sometimes he' ll come in through the window because he likes the fruit in this tree." Admittedly, you never truly know what you'll get with an Airbnb.
Media Hits + Interviews
If you watch TV, film or spend any time at all on mainstream media, you know exactly what I mean when I say that women, shockingly, continue to be portrayed in ways that reflect weakness, insecurity, cattiness, and victimization.
July 15, 2022, 3:03 p.m. ET As extreme heat blankets large swaths of the globe, pet owners have particular cause for concern. "If it feels too hot to you, it's even worse for your pet," said Dr. Sarah Hoggan, medical director for VCA California Veterinary Specialists -Murrieta.
Health care tops list of growing needs as the Ukraine Crisis enters its fifth month. Katie Wilkes on the ground in Hungary reports.
JOHANNESBURG - A powerful cyclone continued to dump rain on northern Mozambique Friday, with the United Nations warning of "massive flooding." Cyclone Kenneth arrived just six weeks after Cyclone Idai tore into central Mozambique, killing more than 600 people and displacing thousands. Power lines were reported down in some communities of northern Mozambique, and Pemba city had significant power outages, said Katie Wilkes, spokeswoman with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red...
Recovery efforts continue in the Bahamas after Dorian hit six months ago. Katie Wilkes is live with the American Red Cross in Nassau, Bahamas, sharing an update on its current state.
On Visit Florida's website, click on the "Southwest" region of the map and a link sweeps you off to Barefoot Beach in Naples. In the photo, beachgoers lounge on the white sand, a gentle breeze barely ruffling the beach umbrellas. Wavelets ripple across the Gulf of Mexico. Katie Wilkes, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said a monetary donation is preferable to household goods and other products, which, she said, “strip valuable resources like time, money and energy from the response...
The US Geological Survey said it's likely that casualties are "high" after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Saturday morning.“There are reports of significant damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure,” American Red Cross spokeswoman Katie Wilkes said.
A lack of blood drives amid the coronavirus pandemic has caused a blood plasma shortage across the country, but some have taken to social media to claim those vaccinated against COVID-19 are not eligible to donate. But for anyone vaccinated with any of the COVID-19 shots authorized in the U.S. – namely, Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson – there are no deferral periods constraining blood or plasma donation. If the vaccine was received overseas or the brand unknown, the wait time could...
The remnants of Hurricane Ida and resulting flood on Wednesday dealt a blow to the greater New York region - claiming at least 46 lives, damaging property and rendering homes uninhabitable. Here are answers to five frequently asked questions on home cleanup and more. What possessions can I keep and what must I dispose of? “When in doubt, throw it out!” said Katie Wilkes, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross. She added that items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected...
“Preparing our children for disasters starts with adults being prepared, so take advantage of non-disaster times to brush up and make a family preparedness kit, a family emergency plan and stay informed to local weather alerts. Knowing which hazards and disasters your area is prone to is important so you are equipped with knowledge to respond in the event of an emergency striking,” Katie Wilkes, a Red Cross spokesperson, told Scary Mommy.
Flash floods are so named because sudden deluges can occur after a heavy rainfall, which the National Weather Service says is the most common cause. The flooding begins within six hours of heavy rain and often within three hours of an intense rainfall, though sometimes it can happen within minutes, giving people little time to take precautions.
THE FACTS: The Red Cross says that statement is inaccurate and COVID-19 vaccines do not wipe out antibodies, according to experts. As of March 26, the Red Cross discontinued the dedicated collection of COVID-19 convalescent plasma due to declining demand from hospitals and a sufficient industry supply. Social media users are sharing a February clip from KMOV-4, a CBS-affiliate news station in Missouri, where the anchor incorrectly says the Red Cross is no longer accepting convalescent plasma...
Johannesburg -- The second powerful cyclone to strike Mozambique in just six weeks ripped off roofs, killed at least one person and dumped heavy rain on Friday as the United Nations warned of "massive flooding" ahead. Power lines were reported down in some communities, and Pemba city had significant power outages, said Katie Wilkes, spokeswoman with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. "It's been a challenge for us even to have clear lines of communication."
International aid groups continued to assist emergency response and relief efforts in Turkey and Syria as the death toll from two devastating earthquakes surpassed 21,000. By Thursday, close to 15,000 responders from the Turkish Red Crescent and Syrian Arab Red Crescent were supplying first aid and medical care, shelter, hot meals and other resources for survivors, said Katie Wilkes of the American Red Cross.
Our warming planet is triggering more extreme weather with cataclysmic consequences. A worldwide rise in natural disasters. -Today, we are seeing many more people incredibly vulnerable. Each disaster that puts people in such dire straits is getting worse, it's getting more complex, it's getting wider spread. Countries are overwhelmed.
Get to know the faces behind Freeheart Creative
Anna Bimenyimana, owner of Bon Marche thrift store on Riverside Drive, opened her thrift store 12 years ago with a clear mission: to turn antiques into activism for her country of origin. In the world of old things, it's said that one man's trash is another man's treasure, but for Bimenyimana, those trashed treasures are angels in disguise.
Looking at our social media newsfeeds, mobile CNN alerts, and TV screens, it's hard to ignore. That sinking feeling of darkness living in so many corners of the world. That more harm is being done than good these days. That we, as women, seem to still be chasing our own desire just be seen and heard amidst it all.
Web Stories
Severe droughts, insect invasions, ravishing floods and irregular rainfall have all contributed to a major crisis wreaking havoc across Africa: food insecurity. It's a prolonged emergency that often doesn't make headlines, yet consumes nearly every aspect of daily life for millions of people. The American Red Cross is deeply invested in doing its part to help.
During a disaster, it's the individual human touch brought by Red Cross responders that becomes the most essential. Two American Red Cross workers who spent months in the Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian carried their history with them across borders.
A simple search for "Kharkiv" on the internet today yields scenes of grey ash covering splintered buildings. This is how much of the world now sees Ukraine. Far from this perception are locals' memories of crackling fireplaces and walks under the trees-so many of which now stand lifeless.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the Red Cross is distributing cash cards to people in need.
Blog Posts
My personal blog inspired by moments that have helped me gain clarity as a deep feeler, empath, and the one who has always "just wanted to save it all!" having cared a whole lot about...everything.
In response to the Ukraine crisis, Katie Wilkes deployed to Europe as a Communications Crisis Responder on behalf of the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). She is one of 28 international crisis responders from the American Red Cross who have deployed to Poland, Moldova, Hungary and Romania to support the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
The thunder of a small biplane has just roared overhead as I look out the window. A sound that never phased me before my most recent disaster deployment, it now elicits a wave of sensations. In a flash, I'm transported back to our Emergency Operations Center-oceans away in Mozambique.
This week, we talked to Katie Wilkes (CMN '11), the COVID-19 Communications and Media Coordinator for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, about her work addressing disaster situations across the globe, including tips and best practices for staying safe and informed during the global pandemic.
Press Releases
Budapest, 9 June 2022 - A crisis is emerging in the shadow of conflict across Ukraine: one that extends beyond the country's borders. Ukraine's already stressed healthcare system is buckling under the weight of expectation and medical needs as people continue fleeing conflict areas seeking safety.
The World Health Organization (WHO) together with the UN, specialised agencies and partners today called on countries to develop and implement action plans to promote the timely dissemination of science-based information and prevent the spread of false information while respecting freedom of expression.
Geneva, 11 January 2021 - With COVID-19 vaccines rolling out across many countries, the world's largest humanitarian network is once again warning that vaccines alone will not end the pandemic. People need to remain vigilant and continue to adhere to basic preventative measures that include physical distancing, wearing masks and handwashing.
The American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois is sending a local volunteer to Mozambique to help in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai. Katie Wilkes of Chicago, Illinois is being deployed tomorrow morning for at least four weeks. Katie has been a volunteer since 2010 and has deployed several times before for disasters including Hurricane Harvey and the California wildfires.
Podcasts + Audio Diaries
The official podcast of the International Committee of the Red Cross out of the delegation in the US & Canada. We aim to delve into the rules of war and take you to the frontlines of some of the most inaccessible conflicts in the world, where the ICRC and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement work to...
Ryan Gorman hosts an iHeartRadio nationwide special featuring Katie Wilkes, a national spokesperson for the American Red Cross. Katie discusses the American Red Cross's work responding to disasters across the country, along with the blood donation crisis we're currently facing.
Freeheart Creative Co-Founders Katie Wilkes and Dana Michelle Cook joined Sports Philanthropy Network's Roy Kessel for a lively Podcast. Katie and Dana shared their insight into how to best tell the story of a foundation to get the maximum impact with donors and other stakeholders.