By Alana Mauger

For Kenneth Soondar, volunteering for the American Red Cross brings his 43-year career as a medical technologist full circle.

Originally from Trinidad, Ken took first aid and CPR classes with the British Red Cross when he was in Barbados for school. He soon moved to the United States and continued his studies while working as a clinical and pathology medical technologist.

Through his career, Ken worked at three Philadelphia hospitals – including Parkview Hospital, the Osteopathic Medical Center of Philadelphia and Temple University – all of which put him in frequent contact with the Red Cross when he needed to order blood for patients in crisis. So it made sense for him to find a volunteer opportunity at the Red Cross when he retired.

“I love the purpose of the Red Cross and what they do for people all over the world,” he said.

Ken signed up to install smoke alarms during Sound the Alarm, a signature national Red Cross event that started right here in Philadelphia. After a conversation with Red Cross Volunteer Services, he became a Blood Donor Ambassador, a critical role that assists donors through the blood donation process.

“It’s nice meeting compassionate people who take the time, drive the distance and give of themselves,” said Ken, describing his work at blood drives.

In addition to being a Blood Donor Ambassador, Ken more recently became a member of the Disaster Action Team, a dedicated group of volunteers who assists families after local disasters, like home fires. He signs up for 8 hours of on-call shifts most days he’s not working at a blood drive.

For his efforts, Ken was named the Red Cross Exceptional Biomedical Volunteer in Bucks County for 2021.

In addition to volunteering with the Red Cross, Ken is a Pentecostal pastor who enjoys spending time with his family, preaching, singing gospel hymns, cooking, gardening, traveling, cycling and running. He’s also handy in his spare time, working around the house, painting and fixing things.

“I love what I do, and the Red Cross is a major part of that,” he said.