“The fact that you are helping someone have a better quality of life is so rewarding,” said Carol. One act of donating can help with someone’s ongoing treatment or play a critical role in saving their life.
How Keith Freier thanks the blood donors who saved his life
By Gordon Williams Keith Freier’s journey toward becoming a champion of Red Cross blood drives began one day a few years ago when he found himself sprawled on the floor, unable to move. He had experienced back pain before, but this was something new. Diagnosis showed he had bone marrow cancer which had made his bones … Continue reading How Keith Freier thanks the blood donors who saved his life
A Yakima mother tells how donated blood saved her son’s life
By Gordon Williams Americans donate 14 million units of blood and blood products each year--with 40 percent of that collected and processed by the American Red Cross. Every drop of that donated blood has the potential to ease suffering or even to help save a life. Here is the real-life story of one young man … Continue reading A Yakima mother tells how donated blood saved her son’s life
Red Cross: National blood crisis may put patients at risk
Kala Breder knows all too well how dire a blood shortage can be. In July 2020, hours after the birth of her son by emergency Cesarean section, Kala developed a complication and began hemorrhaging.
Blood recipient turned donor: Megan Hall shares her story
William and Megan Hall in Pullman WA, 2021 By Gordon Williams When Megan Hall of Pullman WA donates blood, it is her way of saying “thank you” to the American Red Cross whose blood collection program helped save her life. Americans donate nearly 14 million units of blood each year (each unit being around a … Continue reading Blood recipient turned donor: Megan Hall shares her story
For patients with sickle cell disease, blood transfusions are essential
Learn why blood transfusions from donors who are Black may provide best outcomes Seventeen-year-old Demarus Torrence loves comics and sci-fi movies, and like his favorite superheroes, he’s awfully brave himself. Demarus lives with sickle cell disease, the most common inherited blood disorder, which affects about 100,000 people in the U.S. What is sickle cell disease? Sickle cell disease makes red blood cells hard and sickle-shaped … Continue reading For patients with sickle cell disease, blood transfusions are essential
Why I donate: Theresa Scott
by Betsy Robertson Theresa Scott was one of the first people in White Salmon, Washington to get the COVID-19 vaccine. She volunteered at a clinic with the North Shore Medical Group, where they were able to safely provide additional vaccines to first responders, senior and immuno-compromised members of her community. The pandemic is what inspired … Continue reading Why I donate: Theresa Scott
Divine partnership helps meet diverse needs of patients
Will Willis and Randy Gilbert of Tacoma, WA are veterans, fraternity brothers and now, Red Cross blood donors. By Kristin Alexander Will Willis and Randy Gilbert live by the same values. Connected by their pledge to serve God and the community, the men recently organized a blood drive sponsored by the Tacoma chapter of the … Continue reading Divine partnership helps meet diverse needs of patients
Why I Volunteer: Diana Rios
By Jennifer Astion Diana Rios started volunteering at the Red Cross in May of 2020. She knew about the Red Cross and wanted to get involved. “I looked on the website and saw they needed temperature screeners for blood drives,” explained Rios. “I got the hang of it. I was working with a nurse in … Continue reading Why I Volunteer: Diana Rios
Red Cross blood drives return to Fairchild AFB
By Gordon Williams The American Red Cross — striving to provide a supply of human blood to match the relentless demand — keeps opening new doors in the search for donors. Red Cross blood drive at Fairchild AFB, April 2021 That’s why, for two days in early April, Red Cross crews collected blood at Fairchild … Continue reading Red Cross blood drives return to Fairchild AFB
American Red Cross NW Region 