They were only seven minutes apart when they were born. These days, they seem even closer. If one of these twins is on duty, you’ll find the other one close behind.

It’s that connection, and their willingness to help, that sets these sisters apart.

Six years ago, Dawn Goetsch was a new hire in the Slinger School District charged with the responsibility of caring for kids who came into the office needing help. She knew she needed to increase her knowledge and skills in first aid, so she joined the Red Cross First Aid Service Team (FAST).

A year later, her twin Diane Mason-Henning joined the team. Tired of not being able to help after witnessing two horrific accidents, she knew she needed to learn the skills that would allow her to step in.

“My sister is my hero, my best friend,” says Diane. “She said FAST was a great program, so I joined.”

Six years later, they have teamed up as Red Cross FAST members at numerous events. FAST members staff more than 70 community events each year, providing immediate and temporary care to people who become sick or injured.

People like the man at the Harley Davidson 100 Year Anniversary Celebration. Dawn can clearly remember responding to help a motorcyclist in the midst of a diabetic emergency. Because the area was so packed with people, the paramedics could not get to the scene to transport the man. Using her Red Cross FAST training, Dawn controlled the man’s seizures. He was ready to go to the hospital as soon as the ambulance pulled up.

Dawn used that same training to care for her son when he unexpectedly experienced a seizure at age 11.

“I went to the Red Cross for training so I could care for other people’s children and here I ended up helping my own,” she reflects.

Diane has also taken her willingness to help a step beyond the Red Cross.

“It was the Red Cross that led me to further my education,” she says.

Today she is the first and only female officer of the Cleveland Fire Department. But that hasn’t stopped her from volunteering.

“You make so many contacts at the Red Cross---both friends you work with and people you care for,” Diane says.

Dawn agrees. “I don’t wish bad things to happen to people. But if they do, I want to help.”

Now they have passed that passion on to the next generation. Dawn’s daughter, Dani, just joined FAST.

“She doesn’t want to feel helpless,” Diane says. “She wants to be able to help too.”

On May 30, Diane and Dawn will be working with trainees, including Dani, during FEST Day, an annual FAST training held at the Summerfest grounds. It’s a responsibility this family does not take lightly.

“When it comes to helping someone, we’re all business,” Dawn says.

The American Red Cross in Southeastern Wisconsin relies on donations of time and money so they can provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies in Dodge, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth and Waukesha counties. To donate your time, please visit our Volunteer page. Financial donations can be made online through our secure contribution site.