Dr. Karen Bell received the President of the United States Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 for her lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service with the American Red Cross. 

Dr. Bell has been a Red Cross volunteer since 1985, starting while she was serving in the Army. In the letter Dr. Bell received with the award, President Biden congratulated her on taking it upon herself to contribute to the public good, and he is proud to present the President’s Lifetime Achievement award in recognition of her 4,282 hours of service to the nation.

“I am honored and grateful to receive such an award for doing something I enjoy doing,” said Dr. Bell. “Everyone should help when possible, and I try my hardest to live by that.”

The president ended the letter with, “On behalf of the American people, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to you for your volunteer leadership, and I encourage you to continue to answer the call to serve. The country is counting on you.”