RedCrossPhillyBlog

Category: Biomedical Services

  • Profile: Jawanda Hargrove – So much to live for, so much to share

    By Nancy Degnan

    Jawanda Hargrove shared her story with news media during Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Photo by Alana Mauger

    Jawanda Hargrove has a full life taking care of her son, enjoying her family, and going to work each day. When you meet Jawanda, you find a caring person with great expression.

    “I have a job, a son and a family. I have a life I want to be here for and I am passionate about it; it is my life.”

    The “it” that Jawanda references is sickle cell disease.

    At eight months old, Jawanda was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. As her hands and feet began to swell, her parents took her to be treated and received the news. Jawanda is thankful for her ability to attend school and graduate with her class due to diligent parents and the support of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). CHOP creates a packet about sickle cell disease that helped to educate Jawanda’s community beyond her parents and her home.

    “CHOP helped me medically and socially,” Jawanda shared.

    With all the challenges presented to Jawanda, she is always appreciative.

    Blood transfusions saved my life

    An exciting next step was happening for Jawanda as she prepared to bring new life into the world. As a sickle cell disease patient, she knew she was immediately considered high risk.

    “I had a normal pregnancy, until it wasn’t,” Jawanda said.

    Jawanda’s son was born seven weeks premature. While Jawanda’s son was in the neonatal unit receiving care, Jawanda went into a sickle cell disease crisis. Her hemoglobin plummeted, and she was in the hospital for four days. Blood transfusions saved Jawanda’s life.

    Going above and beyond

    “If you were to look at me, I do not present as sick,” says Jawanda.

    Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped – like a sickle – instead of soft and round, making it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry oxygen adequately to the rest of the body. Patients can experience complications such as severe pain, anemia, infections, stroke and organ damage. Blood transfusions are the primary treatment for individuals living with sickle cell disease.

    For Jawanda, educating the medical professionals and the public about sickle cell disease is key to ensuring the disease state is recognized. Jawanda plays an active role in providing education about sickle cell disease and has compassion for others that are living with the disease. She takes time out of her busy schedule to humanize patients with the disease by talking with health care professionals (first year residents) at Penn Hospital as a person, not a patient. Her hope is when a sickle cell disease patient presents at the emergency room or hospital, they will be met with a prepared medical staff with awareness of the symptoms leading to quick action – the need for life giving blood.

    When asked what she would say to someone giving blood, Jawanda replied, “Thank you for saving lives.” She also noted the importance of having blood donations from the African American population because patients who require regular blood transfusions are best served when blood donors are more closely matched to their own.

    Editor’s Note: In commemoration of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is joining organizations across the country to focus on the importance of health and wellness in our Black communities. Throughout February, we’ll be sharing information about our Sickle Cell Initiative, stories from those impacted by sickle disease and ways that community residents can help.

  • Philly-based Crescent Foundation aims to reform sickle cell patient care

    By Kay Bennett

    Crescent Foundation Co-founder and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Ediomi Utuk-Lowery. Photo by Alana Mauger

    Ediomi Utuk-Lowery is a co-founder of Crescent Foundation and also serves as the nonprofit’s chief marketing and communications officer. The focus of her work—and the main mission of the organization—is to advocate for and support people affected by sickle cell disease, as well as their loved ones and caregivers.

    Sickle cell disease, an inherited disorder of the red blood cells, affects African Americans at vastly higher rates than people of other ethnicities. About one in 13 African American babies is born with sickle cell trait, the CDC estimates.

    As adults living with sickle cell disease, all of Crescent’s cofounders understand the challenges firsthand, and Utuk-Lowery and her colleagues have identified numerous pressing needs in their community. One of their goals is to help younger sickle cell patients navigate the transition from pediatric or adolescent care to the adult care system. This initiative, called Bridging the Gap, uses a compassionate, holistic approach to support 18- to-24-year-olds faced with the daunting prospect of advocating for themselves within a complex health care environment. They need to understand insurance, create and reach wellness goals, and address their health care needs in the workplace. For these young adults, Bridging the Gap is a valuable resource.

    A second program, Crescent Cares, provides case management support. Managing a chronic condition can be complicated; to ease the way, the foundation’s community health workers serve as liaisons to help sickle cell patients and their families coordinate their medical and social service needs. They may make home or virtual visits, help with prescription requests, arrange for transportation, and more.

    Crescent’s third key initiative—called One Gene, One Life—provides training and education for the next generation of health care practitioners. It was developed as an immersion program to give medical students insight into the daily lives of sickle cell patients. Crescent Foundation members visit genetics classes, health programs, vending events, and other settings to provide info and dispel common myths. They also talk about archaic language used to describe sickle cell disease.

    Because sickle cell patients look to their health care teams for compassion, support, and understanding, this unique program aims to show providers how the disease can truly impact patients’ lives every day. Each Crescent advocate becomes a face for sickle cell awareness, and the idea is to arm future physicians with compassion and knowledge about this invisible condition. Utuk-Lowery says the initiative is all about reaching out to “the up-and-coming stars who are going to be caring for us at one point or another.”

    The Crescent Foundation has received an outpouring of love and support for its advocacy efforts, Utuk-Lowery notes. But there’s still work to do: From making calls on behalf of a patient or advocating for individuals in the prison system living with sickle cell, Utuk-Lowery says no task is too big or too small for the team to take on.

    Want to know more? Go to crescentfoundationscd.org.

    Editor’s Note: In commemoration of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is joining organizations across the country to focus on the importance of health and wellness in our Black communities. Throughout February, we’ll be sharing information about our Sickle Cell Initiative, stories from those impacted by sickle disease and ways that community residents can help.

  • Profile: Shaun ‘Sturdy’ Griggs advocates for sickle cell awareness

    By Kay Bennett

    Shaun “Sturdy Griggs” spoke at a Crescent Foundation blood drive held at the Red Cross House last fall. Photo by Alana Mauger

    Shaun “Sturdy” Griggs is a passionate advocate for sickle cell awareness. Last fall, Griggs spoke about his experiences at Red Cross House in Philadelphia, where a blood drive was being hosted by the Crescent Foundation, a Philly-based nonprofit serving the sickle cell community.

    Griggs has been living with sickle cell disease his entire life. When he was 3 years old, his mother noticed swelling, and he seemed to be in severe pain. After a battery of tests at the hospital, the diagnosis came: type SS sickle cell disease.

    “Everyone’s pain is different. Mine was like a heartbeat – if you can picture 100 knives stabbing me in the stomach. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!” he shouted, thrusting his hands toward his abdomen in a stabbing motion.

    Such an episode, known as a sickle cell crisis, is one of the major red flags for SCD. A crisis occurs when the sickle-shaped cells cannot flow freely through the bloodstream, causing a blockage. This blockage can lead to severe discomfort and pain, and the repercussions often include decreased flow of oxygen throughout the body and organ tissue damage.

    Griggs’s adversities regarding sickle cell disease are often the result of a lack of public knowledge about the condition. Time and again he has found himself explaining the nature of the disease to others, and it was this uphill struggle to increase recognition of the disease that inspired him to become an advocate for Sickle Cell Awareness. He fiercely believes that sickle cell disease should receive more widespread attention.

    To illustrate the discrepancy in awareness, Griggs compared sickle cell disease with cancer. Many people, especially health care professionals, are acutely aware of symptoms affecting cancer patients and have a good familiarity with effective treatments. But with sickle cell disease, care teams in hospital settings often need to be educated by their own patients. Patients may have to strongly advocate for themselves, emphasizing the severity of their pain and the lifesaving treatments they need.

    Griggs also talked about the feelings of invalidation sickle cell patients may experience. Hospital staff may not fully understand the disease, so they often fail to understand the severity of the associated pain. Griggs tends not to cry in most situations—including health care settings. People should not have to be in tears, he says, to have their pain taken seriously.

    “You wouldn’t be able to tell I have [sickle cell disease] by looking at me, but it’s shaped my life,” he said. “The pain is random. It can happen at any time.”

    At one point, the lack of sickle cell awareness even threatened Griggs’s life. He was in a juvenile detention facility and began to have a crisis, but the guards and medical staff refused to get him the treatment he needed. As a result of that failure to receive timely medical attention, he walked with a limp for a year and now has permanent swelling in his knee.

    Griggs’s frustrations with such health care disparities are what motivates his outspoken advocacy today. When a friend introduced him to Crescent Foundation co-founder Tahirah Austin-Muhammad, the two quickly bonded over their shared experiences with sickle cell disease. Eventually Griggs began speaking at various events held by the foundation. He describes Tahirah as a “great advocate” for sickle cell awareness.

    Sickle cell-focused blood drives, like the annual one hosted by the Crescent Foundation, are vital to the sickle cell disease community, Griggs says. “Not a lot of people notice that we [sickle cell patients] actually need blood transfusions,” he said, “and some of us need blood transfusions more often than others. This means a lot just to spread the word.”

    Editor’s Note: In commemoration of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is joining organizations across the country to focus on the importance of health and wellness in our Black communities. Throughout February, we’ll be sharing information about our Sickle Cell Initiative, stories from those impacted by sickle disease and ways that community residents can help.

  • Severe winter weather intensifies Red Cross blood crisis

    By American Red Cross Biomedical Services Communications

    As severe winter storms continue to move through the country, the American Red Cross asks members of the community to schedule the earliest-available blood or platelet donation appointments in their area once it is safe to give.

    Dangerous snow and ice conditions have contributed to about 600 blood drive cancellations since the beginning of the year, resulting in nearly 17,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations, including more than 350 blood donations in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to go uncollected as a result of winter weather.

    Since the Red Cross issued its first-ever blood crisis in January, thousands of generous donors have come forward to give, but patient care remains at risk. The threat of winter weather continues − as well as ongoing complications posed by the omicron variant – and could further complicate efforts to rebuild the blood supply.

    More donors are needed to make appointments now for the weeks ahead to help ensure accident victims, cancer patients and new mothers experiencing complicated childbirths have access to lifesaving blood product transfusions without delay. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

    All who come to give blood or platelets Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.*

    Health insights for donors
    At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

    Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

    Blood drive safety
    Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

    *Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Together.

  • Guest column: Give blood to support sickle cell patients this Black History Month

    By La Valle Warren, American Red Cross Regional Sickle Cell Account Manager

    Black History Month is a time to highlight the significant work and achievements of Black and African Americans to U.S. society. This year, the Red Cross is focusing on the theme of Black health and wellness, especially as it pertains to sickle cell disease.  

    The Red Cross Sickle Cell Initiative is making a difference every day in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As Regional Sickle Cell Account Manager for these areas, I am working to expand blood donation opportunities in communities of color in an effort to grow the number of Black or African American blood donors to help patients in need, especially those batting sickle cell disease.

    In order to meet these goals, I am working to build partnerships with Black businesses, Black community-based organizations, educational institutions, Black churches, healthcare facilities and government organizations to host blood drives in convenient locations. My goal is to provide Black and African Americans who want to give blood with donation opportunities in their communities. 

    Working in the community and educating people of color is at the core of my passion and experiences. I strive to build trust, share information, create a space for opportunity and work collaboratively to engage new Black and African American donors to help save lives.

    The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the challenges for patients with sickle cell disease as they face new concerns around availability of care and access to needed blood products for their treatment. Donors who are Black play a critical role in helping people with sickle cell disease. It is essential that the blood they receive be the most compatible match from someone of the same race or similar ethnicity.

    In Philadelphia and New Jersey, Red Cross blood donations from individuals who self-identify as Black or African American are labeled with a blue tag to indicate they may be a match for sickle cell patients. Additional testing is performed on these donations to match them as closely as possible with patients needing a transfusion.

    I invite you to join us for two upcoming Blue Tag Sickle Cell Community Blood Drives in commemoration of Black History Month:

    • Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 700 Spring Garden St. in Philadelphia. The drive is sponsored by Philadelphia Commissioner Omar Sabir and UNCF Philadelphia Branch. Schedule an appointment here.
    • Feb. 23, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Mercer County Community College at Trenton, Kerney Hall, 102 N. Board St., Trenton, N.J. Schedule an appointment here.

    Please consider scheduling an appointment to donate blood in commemoration of Black History Month and throughout the year. Every donation makes a difference! Visit RedCrossBlood.org to schedule an appointment. 

    Editor’s Note: In commemoration of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is joining organizations across the country to focus on the importance of health and wellness in our Black communities. Throughout February, we’ll be sharing information about our Sickle Cell Initiative, stories from those impacted by sickle disease and ways that community residents can help.

  • World Cancer Day: We care and stand together

    By Nancy Degnan

    Photo: World cancer day by Marco Verch under Creative Commons 2.0

    World Cancer Day, celebrated on February 4, has an inspirational theme for 2022. Their campaign, Close the Care Gap, invites all of us, across the globe, to accept a call to action to help others in need. Small contributions can ignite dramatic changes. Visit World Cancer Day – What happens when we act?  to learn more.

    The American Red Cross joins the efforts presented by World Cancer Day along with many champion partners to lead the battle on behalf of cancer patients. When we come together with a display of care and compassion, we raise awareness to drive at common goals.

    How can you help?

    Did you know that cancer patients use nearly one quarter of the blood supply? This is more than patients fighting any other disease. During treatment, a cancer patient may endure intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy that can both damage the body’s ability to regenerate healthy blood cells and present life-threatening conditions. Blood and platelet transfusions can aid a patient and may help them win the fight over their cancer.

    The current health care landscape has jeopardized our blood supply. We are currently experiencing the worst blood shortage in over a decade. One small way to make a significant impact to help cancer patients is through blood donation.

    Getting involved – Your Gift

    Your donation could be a perfect match to give a patient the gift of time. When you donate blood or platelets you are helping cancer patients receive lifesaving care.

    Learn more about your blood donation and its journey to a patient in need and how blood donations  help patients.  The Red Cross offers a step-by-step process and guidance on the donation process to ensure it is easy for anyone to donate.    

    If you are interested in becoming a donor and would like more information about our organization, visit our website – RedCrossBlood.org.

    We offer multiple options to find a blood drive to make an appointment. Make an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

    What to know about the Coronavirus and Blood Donation

    The Red Cross wants to keep you informed on COVID-19 protocols as we consider your health and well-being a priority. You are eligible to donate blood, platelets, or plasma after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more by reviewing the categories outlined on our website that include Red Cross Donation Safety Protocols, COVID-19 Vaccine and Blood Donor Eligibility Information, Travel and Deferral Information, and Limit The Spread Of Germs and Prevent Infection.

  • Red Cross focuses on health and wellness this Black History Month

    By Alana Mauger

    In commemoration of Black History Month, the American Red Cross is joining organizations across the country to focus on the importance of health and wellness in our Black communities. Throughout February, we’ll be sharing information about our Sickle Cell Initiative, stories from those impacted by sickle disease and ways that community residents can help.

    Over 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease, the majority of whom Black and/or of African descent. The disease causes red blood cells to be hard and crescent-shaped – like a sickle – instead of soft and round, making it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and carry oxygen adequately to the rest of the body. Patients can experience complications like severe pain, anemia, infections, stroke and organ damage.

    When individuals living with sickle cell face a crisis, blood transfusions can relieve their systems and can even save their lives. But patients who require regular blood transfusions, like those with sickle cell disease, may develop an immune response against blood from donors that is not closely matched to their own.

    To help ensure that hospitals have a diverse blood supply, the Red Cross launched an initiative last fall to raise awareness about sickle cell disease and increase much-needed blood donations from individuals who are Black to support patients. Closely matched donations of the same blood type, race or similar ethnicity reduce transfusion complications for sickle cell patients.

    Unfortunately, the Red Cross is currently experiencing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade, posing risks to patient care, especially those with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease.  With blood transfusions remaining one of the most critical treatments for sickle cell, donors are needed now. Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now and in the weeks ahead at RedCrossBlood.org.

  • National Blood Donor Month: Pat Woods donates blood in memory of this father

    By Alana Mauger

    Pat Woods shared this selfie from a recent blood donation. Submitted photo

    Pat Woods recalls with great affection his father’s commitment to service. And for Gerard Woods, giving blood was part of that commitment.

    As a kid, Pat remembers sitting in the waiting area while his dad donated blood.

    “He gave blood 3 to 4 times a year until he went on blood thinners in 2017,” shared Pat. “It wasn’t until he passed away that I found his [blood donation] card from 1979.

    While Pat and his three siblings admired their dad’s commitment to donating blood, he acknowledged that none of them really followed in his footsteps.

    “I donated once or twice in high school because it got me out of class,” he said. “I knew it was a good thing to do, but it just wasn’t a priority.”

    Then, in July 2021, a bone marrow biopsy revealed Gerard’s blood cell counts were low. He received several blood transfusions, later followed by therapeutic apheresis, a process that replaced his plasma.

    Gerard passed away in October from what was later revealed to be an undiagnosed form of lupus that causes blood clots. But Pat and his family are grateful for the extra time they had with him, thanks, in part, to blood and plasma transfusions.

    Pat Woods recently found his father’s Red Cross Blood Donation card dating back to 1976. Submitted photo

    The experience prompted Pat to give blood for the first time in close to 20 years. He shared his donation, along with his dad’s story, on social media and encouraged others to donate.

    “A few people who used to donate told me they picked it back up as a result of my posts,” he said.

    Pat’s oldest sister, Annie, also recently donated for the first time.

    “She was very nervous. The Red Cross staff was wonderful and accommodated her fear of blood. She was able to sit away from other people who were donating so she couldn’t see them,” he said.

    Pat and Annie set up Team Gerry Woods on the Red Cross Blood Donor App to encourage others to donate in honor of their dad’s dedication to service.

    “We feel fortunate that blood was available to my dad when he needed it,” said Pat. “Now I’m hoping to pay it forward in his honor.”

  • Blood and platelet donation appointments still critical after first-ever blood crisis

    By American Red Cross Biomedical Communications

    While there has been a significant and encouraging response to the dire need for blood across the nation, the American Red Cross needs more people to give in the weeks ahead to recover from its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Those interested in helping are urged to schedule the earliest-available blood or platelet donation appointment in their area to help ensure accident victims rushed to the emergency room, those being treated for cancer and others who count on blood product transfusions can receive lifesaving care without delay.

    Since the Red Cross issued its first-ever blood crisis alert, severe winter weather has further complicated efforts to rebuild the blood supply. Hundreds of blood drives have been canceled across the country due to winter storms in January, forcing about 6,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected.

    As February approaches, and the effects from the spread of the omicron variant and winter weather persist, people are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets in the weeks ahead by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  

    As a thank you for helping to save lives during National Blood Donor Month, those who come out to donate blood or platelets in January will receive a voucher for a free Medium Hot Coffee and a free Classic Donut, redeemable at participating Dunkin’ restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia area, while supplies last.*

    Those who come to give blood or platelets Feb. 1-28, 2022, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, thanks to Amazon.*

    Employment and volunteer opportunities available

    During this challenging time, the Red Cross is also actively recruiting blood collection employees and blood drive volunteers who play vital roles in supporting the nation’s blood supply. The Red Cross encourages those interested to join us at a Red Cross hiring event on Jan. 31, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Springfield Township Building, 1200 E. Willow Grove Ave. in Wyndmoor to learn more about blood collection employee opportunities in Chester and Montgomery counties. Visit rdcrss.org/3GL5nwi to apply in advance. For volunteer opportunities to support Red Cross blood collections, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

    Blood drive safety 

    Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. 

    *Vouchers are not redeemable for cash.
    **Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/together. 

  • National blood crisis may put patients at risk

    By American Red Cross Biomedical Communications

    The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.

    Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments, and donors of all blood types – especially type O − are urged to make an appointment now to give in the weeks ahead.

    In recent weeks, the Red Cross had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types and has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals. At times, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met.

    Pandemic challenges

    The Red Cross continues to confront relentless challenges due to COVID-19, including about a 10% overall decline in the number of people donating blood as well as ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. Additionally, the pandemic has contributed to a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges.

    “Winter weather across the country and the recent surge of COVID-19 cases are compounding the already-dire situation facing the blood supply,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “Please, if you are eligible, make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the days and weeks ahead to ensure no patient is forced to wait for critical care.”

    The Red Cross urges donors to support patient care by making an appointment to give blood or platelets now or in the weeks ahead. To schedule an appointment, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

    The Red Cross and the NFL are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the national blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles. As an extra thank-you from the Red Cross, those who come to donate will also be automatically entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.

    In addition, those who come out to donate blood or platelets in January will also receive a voucher for a free Medium Hot Coffee and a free Classic Donut, redeemable at participating Dunkin’ restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia area, while supplies last.**

    Jessica Weissman (left), field marketing manager, Dunkin’ Brands, presents an oversized voucher for a free medium Hot Coffee and Classic Donut to Guy Triano (center), CEO, Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region, and Helen Munizza (right), regional donor services executive, Red Cross Penn Jersey Blood Services Region. Photo by Alana Mauger

    Volunteers needed

    In addition to blood donors, the Red Cross also needs the help of volunteers to support critical blood collections across the country. Blood drive volunteers play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists – another volunteer opportunity − provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in communities across the country. To volunteer to support Red Cross blood collections, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.