RedCrossPhillyBlog

Category: Blood Donor Profiles

  • Firefighter Colin Reedy remembered at Red Cross blood drive

    By Jenny Farley

    Volunteer firefighters Emily Gindele and Colin Reedy with their dog Chandler. Submitted photo

    Emily Gindele and Colin Reedy were out to eat at their favorite restaurant last October when they got an alert on their phones. As volunteer firefighters for the West Whiteland Fire Company in Exton, they didn’t hesitate to respond.

    Emily described what happened next. “We were driving to the firehouse to hop on a truck to go to that call. That’s when a monsoon rain came and we hydroplaned off the side of the road.”

    They had been a couple for five years and lived together with their dog Chandler. This summer, Colin planned to propose.

    “He was just the goofiest person ever. He would make everyone laugh – always the loudest person in the room. He always wanted to help whoever he could,” Emily said.

    When the car left the road, it crashed into a tree, killing Colin instantly and tossing Emily into the backseat.

    Firefighters from the neighboring Lionville Fire Company worked to free Emily from the wreckage using the “Jaws of Life,” a rescue tool.

    Volunteer Firefighter Emily Gindele is pictured outside the Colin Reedy Memorial Blood Drive that she organized with the Red Cross. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    “If the firefighters and the paramedics didn’t work as diligently as they did, I would probably not be here,” she said.

    Paramedics rushed Emily to the emergency room at Paoli Memorial Hospital. A doctor in the ambulance called the trauma center on the way there to alert them.

    Emily’s dad Mark Gindele, who donated blood at the drive, explained, “He was having difficulty getting Emily’s blood pressure. She had hemorrhaged and was losing a lot of blood and that’s why they couldn’t get any blood pressure readings.”

    There were two trauma surgeons on duty, and Mark said, “Both of them were working on Emily. We were very lucky.”

    Emily Gindele stays with her dad Mark Gindele as he donates blood at the Colin Reedy Memorial Blood Drive in Exton. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Emily spent 36 days in the hospital, the first 10 on a ventilator in a medically induced coma. She broke her back, several bones including 9 ribs, and fractured her skull. She had traumatic brain injury (TBI) and her spleen ruptured and had to be removed. She also had a stroke.

    One of the trauma surgeons told her family Emily was minutes away from dying. Blood transfusions helped save her. “It was so scary to hear that she had organs removed and how much blood she needed,” said Emily’s older sister Kristen Skulsky.

    Emily has spent months rebuilding her body and mind with physical and cognitive therapy, but what about her heart? Colin had a “servant’s heart” according to his mother. All who knew him said he always went out of his way to help people.

    Firefighter Colin Reedy. Submitted photo

    In his day job, Colin worked as a plumber and wanted to eventually open his own business to allow people who couldn’t afford it to have plumbing services.

    How do you honor someone as loved and special as Colin?

    “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all the generous blood donors so I decided to do my own blood drive in honor of Colin,” Emily said.

    With help from the American Red Cross, she organized the Colin Reedy Memorial Blood Drive held May 17th at the West Whiteland Fire Company in Exton, where she and Colin had trained and worked.

    Colin’s parents Brian and Tracy Reedy, along with his sister Jordan, came to the blood drive to support Emily and honor their beloved son.

    Colin Reedy’s mom Tracy Reedy is pictured on the left with Fran Gindele, mom of Emily Gindele. Tracy said her late son Colin was “fantastic” and was “loved by many.” Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    “One of the most important things for a parent when they lose a child is that their name is said and that they’re remembered,” Tracy said. Seeing people at the blood drive honor him and repeat his name “makes him feel more alive and that he has a legacy that is following his death.”

    Brian is a retired police officer who donated blood at the drive. He described his son as a “very hard worker” and “very dedicated.” He considered it an honor to have Colin’s name associated with a Red Cross blood drive, “Knowing that he died a hero, and Emily putting this together for him, and all the people that came and are willing to give blood for a great cause.”

    Retired police officer Brian Reedy donates blood in memory of his son, volunteer firefighter Colin Reedy. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Emily would have died if not for her blood transfusions. Now, just a few months after the accident that forced her to learn how to walk and talk again, she is taking that gift of life and paying it forward in Colin’s memory.

    “She was born strong,” her mother Fran said. After the accident, Fran slept in the intensive care unit (ICU) by Emily’s side for a month.

    Fran and Emily’s sister Kristen donated blood at the drive for the first time. “I never really thought about donating blood before so the fact that you know I’m able to do that and give back – it means a lot to me as her older sister,” Kristen said.

    Emily Gindele holds her mom’s hand as Fran Gindele donates blood for the first time. She says she plans to donate again. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Several first responders also donated, like Chief Lee Benson and Officer Courtenay DeLaney from the West Whiteland Township Police who said, “Even though we’re in different services – fire, EMS, police, we’re all really one big family.” Officer DeLaney served on the police detail for Colin’s funeral and donated blood out of a “sense of duty and honor.”

    Chief Benson has donated blood on and off for the past 40 years, after he started doing it in the Navy. “The fire company helps us. We help the fire company. We’re all doing public service, so you know it’s a good thing,” he said.

    Officer Courtenay DeLaney of the West Whiteland Township Police Department donates blood in memory of Colin Reedy. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Kim Owen has donated blood and platelets many times before, she but donated this time for a special reason. “This is an amazing cause. My son is one of the firefighters, so it just made sense to come and do this today.” She dropped off homemade cookies for firefighters on her way out.

    Madison Jones worked with Emily and Colin as a volunteer firefighter. She was one of many firefighters who talked about how welcoming Colin was to new recruits.

    “He was a very amazing guy. He lit up the room when he’d come in. We’d all be like, ‘Colin is here! Yes!’ He and Emily were a great pair,” she said.

    During the Colin Reedy Memorial Blood Drive, phlebotomists successfully collected 77 units of blood, with 24 people donating for the first time. In the United States, someone needs blood every 2 seconds, and one donation can save more than one life.

    Volunteer Firefighter Emily Gindele tries on her new fire coat for the first time. It was measured and ordered for her before the accident. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Nancy Lindberg donates blood every 8 weeks and calls Emily her “fourth child.” She said, “She’s so young, so if she ropes all of her friends in, that’s a long span of getting a bunch of young people to start donating!”

    Emily is working hard to heal and return to firefighting. Memories of Colin will be with her forever. “I think about him all the time. I’ll see things that he liked and that he liked doing. My first thought is always Colin.” She said, “No one is going to replace him. I miss him a lot.”

    Colin Reedy’s fire helmet hangs on an inside wall of Station 6, the West Whiteland Fire Company. His name is etched in stone on the memorial to fallen firefighters outside his firehouse.

    Firefighter Colin Reedy’s helmet is on display at Station 6, the West Whiteland Fire Company in Exton. He will not be forgotten. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    If you would like to donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org. You can also download the free Red Cross blood donor app by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 or search “American Red Cross” in app stores.

  • National Volunteer Week: For Russell Massey, Blood Donor Ambassador is the latest stop on a 65-year Red Cross journey

    Editor’s Note: We’re profiling outstanding Red Cross volunteers throughout National Volunteer Week April 21-27.

    Blood Donor Ambassador Russell Massey. Submitted photo

    By Alana Mauger

    Russell Massey began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 1959 as a high school student. He worked in the reception area of pop-up polio clinics that administered the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines.

    “We’d go to a school in a neighborhood and we would register the people as they came in,” he recalled. “We would vaccinate many hundreds in a day.”

    He also remembers being one of around 50 high school students to participate in a week-long Red Cross leadership camp at the Peddie School in Hightstown, New Jersey.

    An active blood donor since 1967, Russell’s next chapter with the Red Cross appropriately began at a blood drive after he retired at the end of 2021. He was scheduled to give blood at his church – Grace Point in Newtown. When he arrived, he was greeted by a fellow member of the congregation who was training to be a Blood Donor Ambassador.

    “I asked what was involved, and I said, ‘I can do that.’ I signed up the next day,” he shared.

    You can find Russell volunteering at blood drives in Bucks, Mercer and Burlington counties 2-3 times per week. He enjoys interacting with people the most and feels good about helping the collections staff.

    Last December, the Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region presented Russell with the 2023 Exceptional Biomedical Volunteer Award for Bucks County. His letter of nomination noted Russell’s “can do attitude” and his willingness to help out at the last minute.

    To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

  • 6abc hosts fourth annual blood drive on Red Cross Giving Day

    By Alana Mauger

    A record number of donors came out to give blood at the fourth annual 6abc Red Cross Month blood drive in Philadelphia and South Jersey. Photo by Konrad Jones/American Red Cross

    The American Red Cross and 6abc held their fourth annual Red Cross Month blood drive on March 27 in Philadelphia and South Jersey, collecting 238 units of blood to help patients in the Delaware Valley and beyond.

    A steady stream of people – including 67 first-time donors – came out to give blood throughout the day at Courtyard by Marriott in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia and at the Collingswood Grant Ballroom and Scottish Rite Auditorium in New Jersey.

    “To make sure we have a safe and stable blood supply is really critical,” said Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Jennifer Graham, who was on hand to thank donors in Philadelphia throughout the day. “The blood on the shelves today helps those who need it tomorrow.”

    Watch reporter Caroline Goggin’s live afternoon coverage from the 6abc blood drive on March 27.

    President and General Manager Bernie Prezenika was among the many 6abc employees who made time to donate.

    “It’s a privilege to be able to donate and maybe help someone else who is in need,” said Prazenica. “We have a big metropolitan area with a lot of folks who have health issues. And I just think it’s important that we all do our part to try to help our neighbor.”

    Since 2021, the annual drive has collected 734 units of blood.

    “Donors look forward to this drive every year,” said Graham regarding the drive’s popularity. “They mark it on the calendars and come back year after year specifically for this event.”

    6abc covered several stories leading up March 27 to help promote blood drive appointments.

    One of those followed meteorologist Adam Joseph as he donated blood at Villanova University on March 12. It was the second time Joseph donated since the FDA updated its blood donor eligibility guidelines in 2023. 6abc covered Joseph’s first donation back on Aug. 7, 2023.

    Watch 6abc meteorologist Adam Joseph’s blood donation at Villanova University.

    For another story, Bucks County couple Sue Lowenstein and John “Fish” Fisher shared how blood donations saved Fish’s life after he suffered a medical emergency while on vacation in Colorado in 2016.

    Watch as Sue Lowenstein and John “Fish” Fisher share their story with 6abc.

    Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. Schedule a blood donation appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.

  • National Blood Donor Month: Grateful for transfusions when she needed them, Brittany Berrodin pays it forward

    By Jenny Farley

    Brittany Berrodin with her husband Matthew and children Louie and Matilda. Submitted photo

    When Brittany Berrodin went into the hospital to give birth to her first child, she had no idea she would need blood before she could leave.

    Brittany’s pregnancy had been a smooth one, but she developed preeclampsia and had to be induced – the start of a long labor.

    The Mayo Clinic says patients with preeclampsia may have high blood pressure and the pregnancy complication can be fatal to the mother or the baby.

    “Then when I gave birth to him, I hemorrhaged. And I lost a lot of blood,” she said.

    Brittany knew she was anemic, but she didn’t expect that her low hemoglobin level would mean she had to get a blood transfusion. “That was really scary to me.”

    After the first transfusion, her hemoglobin level was still so low that medical staffers were surprised she had the strength to stand up. That’s when she needed a second transfusion.

    Doctors eventually cleared Brittany to leave the hospital and go home with her newborn son.

    “After that happened I was like – I want to give blood. I didn’t even know this was possible during delivery.”

    Right now, the American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage. Donors are needed to make sure transfusions like the ones that helped Brittany still happen. Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%.

    During Brittany’s second pregnancy with her daughter, she had to receive iron infusions at the hospital. Her IV stand was next to cancer patients who frequently needed blood or platelet transfusions. That gave her even more incentive to become a blood donor.

    Brittany makes sure her iron intake is good to keep her hemoglobin at the required level to donate. “I was able to give, so I was really excited.” She says donating blood makes her feel really good and she plans to keep doing it.

    After the ordeal she suffered giving birth the first time, Brittany still considers herself fortunate. “I was at a good hospital. I had a good team. You know, I was lucky I could get the transfusions.”

    She has advice for people who might be hesitant to donate blood, “Don’t think about blood leaving your body. Think about the people you’re helping.”

    To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

  • National Blood Donor Month: Sandy Trewella gives blood in honor of her late husband’s battle with cancer

    By Jenny Farley

    Blood donor Sandy Trewella with her late husband Jeff. She donates blood in his honor. Submitted photo

    Sandy Trewella met her husband Jeff when she was a high school senior and he was a college freshman. They worked together at a drug store where he taught her to use the cash register. They even went to prom.

    “He made life fun. He really did,” she said.

    Last October would have been their 47th wedding anniversary, the first Sandy celebrated without Jeff.

    “He was just one of those people you don’t forget.”

    Sandy described her husband as a “great father” to their two kids and a man who “loved adventure,” especially on the water.

    He owned a sailboat and a kayak and loved whitewater rafting, hiking and biking.

    Sandy called Jeff a true “Renaissance man.” He earned a PhD in organic chemistry and owned several patents. He built beautiful shelves.

    “He was one of those guys. I’ve never had to hire anybody to fix anything because he could fix everything.”

    Jeff rarely got sick so when he started feeling bad it was unusual. A trip to the doctor led to the emergency room and an overnight hospital stay.

    “As the hours went and he saw more doctors, it got worse and worse.”

    Jeff had multiple myeloma, the same cancer that killed his mother more than 30 years before.

    “When we got the diagnosis, it was like, alright, we can do this. He’s so healthy.”

    Doctors diagnosed Jeff with cancer just as Sandy was retiring from teaching third grade after 28 years. They sought out top doctors and embraced treatment to try for a chance at remission.

    They bought a big telescope so Jeff could learn about the stars, and they made countless trips to the hospital so he could get the one thing that could buy him time. Blood.

    During the ten months Jeff was sick, he received more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions.

    “Every time a new bag came we were so grateful to whoever had donated it.”

    The transfusions didn’t just keep Jeff alive, they helped improve the quality of his life. Neighbors knew he had gotten blood on days he was able to walk his dogs or ride his lawn mower to cut the grass, because the blood transfusion gave him the energy to do it.

    “He’d start to feel tired again, we’d get the blood work one day and they would say you have to come in, you need more blood.”

    Sandy says Jeff felt guilty about how much blood he was getting and he told his doctors. They said, “Don’t feel guilty. Everyone gets what they need.”

    To make that happen, people need to donate. Right now, The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in nearly 20 years. Blood and platelet donations are needed now to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.

    During their many trips for blood transfusions and doctor visits, Jeff helped Sandy make a checklist. A devout Catholic, he wasn’t afraid to die, but he wanted her to have a practical guide if the worst should happen. Together they planned his funeral.

    Jeff died in hospice at home on Valentine’s Day 2023. He was 69 years old.

    “He was such a great guy, and I just miss him so much.”

    Out of gratitude to the donors who helped Jeff live longer, and to honor her beloved husband, Sandy now donates blood regularly.

    “It just gives me a good feeling. That I can give back a little bit for all that we were given.”

    Sandy has O negative blood, which means she is a universal donor just like her father, who also donated blood frequently. She plans to become a Red Cross volunteer so she can help more people donate blood.

    To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

  • National Blood Donor Month: Lifelong donor Dave Baker volunteers to help others have a positive experience

    By Alana Mauger

    Dave Baker volunteers as a blood donor ambassador at a Bucks County blood drive on Jan. 8, 2024. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

    Dave Baker recalls giving blood for the first time more than 40 years ago as a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

    “I knew people who had donated blood, but I never understood how to do it or where to do it,” he said. “So when a blood drive came to the college, I wanted to see what it was all about.”

    That was an impressive 157 pints – almost 20 gallons – ago.

    When he moved to Bucks County after college, his employer hosted American Red Cross blood drives 4 times per year. And for 30 years, Dave rolled up his sleeve and donated.

    “It was easy,” he said. “I didn’t have to go anywhere or look for anything. I just went downstairs and did it.”

    His donation routine didn’t lapse when Dave retired 7 years ago. In fact, he started donating more frequently – up to 6 times per year. He also began volunteering as a Red Cross Blood Donor Ambassador – someone who helps the blood drive run smoothly and manages a blood donor’s experience.

    Dave volunteers at least once a week throughout Bucks County. The best part, he says, is meeting and interacting with people, and of course, being helpful. His advice for first-time blood donors: “It will be a pinch and a burn, and you’ll never know [the donation] happened.”

    He points out that if you need an additional reason to donate, you can find out where your blood goes on the free Red Cross Blood Donor App.

    As for Dave, he says he donates, “because I can and they need it.”

    He also shared a piece of wisdom for prospective donors. “You don’t start at 157, but you don’t get there if you don’t give.”

    The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in nearly 20 years. Blood and platelet donations are needed now to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

  • National Blood Donor Month: Arin Barth overcomes fear of needles to help others

    By Jenny Farley

    Universal donor Arin Barth overcame a fear of needles to donate O negative blood several times. Submitted photo

    Fear could have kept Arin Barth from donating blood. “I was super afraid of needles.”

    The thought made Arin, who is transgender and doesn’t use pronouns, apprehensive. With a self-described low threshold for pain and a high level of discomfort, at first donating seemed like a tough task.

    “Even though the prick from the needle, like in the grand scheme of things, is not that painful, it was enough to make me very, very anxious.”

    But one day during a college class, a blood typing test revealed Arin had something coveted by blood banks – O negative blood.

    O negative blood is typically in high demand and short supply at hospitals because it can be used in any transfusion. Arin was a universal donor and there was an upcoming blood drive happening at school.

    “Having that O negative – I know that’s very beneficial to have in the banks. So then it felt like that’s a reason to try to get past this and donate anyway.”

    Arin donated for the first time at that college blood drive and has donated several times since.

    Warning phlebotomists at Red Cross blood donation sites there might be tears, Arin said, “They’re always like, oh, you’re doing a really good job. It’ll be super quick. We’ve got it – just let us know if you need anything.” That compassion has made the process easier.

    Bringing Arin’s spouse Marika along for emotional support also helps.

    Marika donates too.

    “My partner and I would donate at the same time and I would have them start me first so they could hold my hand.”

    While giving blood, Arin thinks about family and friends who may not be able to donate for medical reasons, like a friend who had leukemia or Arin’s mom who survived cancer.

    A stepfather who donated blood every 8 weeks “like clockwork” also inspired Arin to give. Coincidentally, he was also a universal donor with O negative blood.

    As for that fear of needles? Arin has actually done blood draws and injections while working in the medical field and pursuing a graduate degree.

    “It’s a career where I can really make a difference.”

    If you are thinking of donating blood for the first time but don’t like needles, Arin has some advice.

    “It’s fine to be nervous. There are lots of folks there to help you through the process. It’s so easy to donate but can make a huge difference in saving a life.”

    To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org.

  • Lifelong blood donor Marc Satalof marks his 35-gallon milestone

    By Alana Mauger

    Marc Satalof, with his wife Elyse, shows off his 30-gallon certificate and gallon pins he has collected. He’s looking forward to adding a pin for his 35th gallon. Photo by Alana Mauger / American Red Cross

    Marc Satalof donated his first pint of blood with the American Red Cross in Philadelphia more than 50 years ago to ensure that his mother, who was going in for a surgery, would have blood if she needed it. Fast forward to Nov. 15, 2023 when, at age 76, he gave his 280th donation, marking an incredible 35 gallons of blood donated over his adult life.

    Through the decades, Marc worked 33 years with the Philadelphia School District, raised two children and began an active retirement with his wife Elyse. He also diligently donated blood as often as possible – four to six times per year.

    He coordinated several blood drives for both the school district and his Upper Gwynedd community, and he has been tapped to speak at several Red Cross donor recognition functions though the years.

    “If you’ve been blessed with good health and a good heart, you know that there are a lot of people in the world who are a lot less fortunate than you are, and any way you can help those people, you are performing a great service to them,” he said. “When I realized that regular donations were something I’d be able to do, I made a conscientious effort to set a goal.”

    He initially set a goal of 200 pints, or 25 gallons. When he hit that mark, he kept going.

    “You still feel good, you’re in good health, there’s no reason to stop,” he said.

    In recent years, Marc’s lower hemoglobin levels kept him from donating as consistently as he did when he was younger. In consultation with his doctor, they agreed that his 35th gallon donation would be his last.  

    With his wife by his side, Marc gave his 280th pint at a Red Cross blood drive at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, steps away from the Hospital of the University Pennsylvania, where he made his very first blood donation. It was a bittersweet experience.

    “I don’t need all this,” he said, gesturing around at the cameras and reporters who were covering his final blood donation. “But if I can even inspire one person, I’ll do it.”

    He may be retiring from donating blood, but he’ll never stop being an advocate.  

    “If, God forbid, someone needs blood, if they’re transported to a hospital because of a car accident or a surgical procedure, and they need blood, that blood needs to be there for them or they’ll die, and that’s determined by people continuing to donate blood,” he said. 

    For more information on donating blood and how you can help save a life, visit RedCrossBlood.org. 

  • Jennifer Roach-Dixon honors her mother’s legacy by donating platelets

    By Yesh Kane

    Jennifer Roach-Dixon. Submitted photo

    Blood donation is a selfless act that has the power to save lives and bring hope to those in need. Many individuals are inspired to donate blood due to personal experiences or the desire to make a positive impact.

    Meet Philadelphian Jennifer Roach-Dixon, a pastry chef by profession who is also a passionate platelet donor and hopes to motivate others to embark on this immensely satisfying endeavor.

    Jennifer’s motivation to make her first blood donation stemmed from her mother’s challenging battle with dialysis in the final years of her life. Witnessing her mother’s dislike for needles and being attached to a machine deeply impacted Jennifer. Inspired by her mother’s spirit of helping others, she found solace in donating platelets, giving her a unique opportunity to honor her mother’s memory. Jennifer also competes on a women’s dragon boating team in Philadelphia with an entire crew made up of breast cancer survivors on the team, which gives her another emotional link to platelet donation.

    For Jennifer, donating platelets fulfills her desire to help those in need and offers a profound sense of connection to her late mother. Sitting beside her mother during dialysis, Jennifer experienced the struggle firsthand. By donating platelets, she feels a deep closeness to her mother, as the aphaeresis machine becomes a symbolic link between them. It is a way for Jennifer to remember her mother’s strength and compassion while carrying on her legacy.

    Jennifer openly admits that she feared needles, initially hindering her from becoming a blood donor. However, she confronted her fear head-on, inspired by her mother’s resilience and generosity. Jennifer began her blood donation journey by donating whole blood, gradually working her way up to platelets. Her determination and willingness to step out of her comfort zone exemplify the transformative power of overcoming personal obstacles.

    When asked what advice she would give to someone considering blood donation for the first time, Jennifer emphasizes that it is not as scary or painful as one might think. Drawing from her own experience, she assures potential donors that the process becomes easier with each donation. Jennifer encourages people to embark on this immensely satisfying journey. She highlights the joy of using the Red Cross app to discover exactly where their blood has been utilized, allowing donors to witness their tangible impact on someone’s life.

    In her own words, “We are so fortunate in this country to have life-saving blood available to us in an emergency, no questions asked. My hope is that everyone feels compelled to contribute to this incredible system, because keeping it running is the least we can do for each other and for our future selves.”

    Jennifer’s story is a testament to the transformative power of blood donation and the impactful associations it can create. Through her journey, she has found comfort, strength, and a way to honor her mother’s memory. By sharing her experiences, Jennifer hopes to inspire others to join the cause, emphasizing the immense satisfaction of helping others and the ability to make a tangible difference in someone’s life. The gift of blood donation not only saves lives but also allows us to carry forward the legacies of our loved ones, creating a lasting impact that transcends time.

    Red Cross Blood and Platelet Shortage

    The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave blood this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there’s an emergency need for type O blood donors, as well as platelet donors. More donors are needed now to ensure patients at hospitals across the country continue to receive critical medical care.    Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

  • Donating blood and platelets is part of an active lifestyle for T’Sean Laws

    By Sadiyyah Young

    T’Sean Laws kept up with his blood and platelet donations while training for the Philadelphia and Chicago marathons last year! Submitted photo.

    Sept. 28th is recognized as National Good Neighbor Day, which is a great time to celebrate and thank American Red Cross blood and platelet donors for being GREAT neighbors to their fellow residents. Local dedicated blood and platelet donor T’Sean Law is a shining example. He has been donating blood for almost 18 years and platelets for almost 4.

    T’Sean gained an interest in donating blood as a teen in high school. It was a fun and interactive experience for him and his friends at that time, so he thought nothing much about donating a few pints, which turned into a few liters. But as time passed, T’Sean became more aware of how important those donations are for people who rely on them. After discovering that his family had a history of suffering from lung and prostate cancer, T’Sean knew that giving blood and platelets would aid in the recovery of many cancer patients beyond his family and close friends. As a result, he grew to love the process of donating blood and platelets even more.

    You can find T’Sean donating platelets about one or twice a month at the American Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Horsham, where he has formed a lasting relationship with the staff and volunteers. Every time he visits to donate, T’Sean is welcomed in a warm, fun loving, joke-filled, relaxed environment by people that know him by name. He enjoys the great snacks after the process is over and likes meeting a lot of new and interesting people.

    T’Sean says it feels good to discuss his donation stories with his longtime friend and co-worker from Delaware who gives blood as well. They both developed a friendly competition over who gets the best snacks at their blood donation locations and who has the most fun while donating blood and platelets. This friendly banter has kept them connected with each other over the years.  

    Fun fact — T’Sean continued to donate blood and platelets even while he was training for the Philadelphia and Chicago marathons last year! He is an active member of the Swagger House Run Club and Black Men Run Philly groups, through which he focuses on assisting men in their 20s and up to stay out of trouble while maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. T’Sean helps these young men and others educate themselves on physical and mental health awareness, various forms of cancer and illness affecting men and the importance of getting tested. Of course, he also discusses the importance of blood and platelet donation and volunteering for the Red Cross.  

    Red Cross Blood Shortage

    The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage. Fewer donors than needed gave blood this summer, drawing down the national blood supply and reducing distributions of some of the most needed blood types to hospitals. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, and there’s an emergency need for type O blood donors, as well as platelet donors. More donors are needed now to ensure patients at hospitals across the country continue to receive critical medical care.    Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).