By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross Volunteer

When is a chain stronger with a flexible link? When it’s the American Red Cross chain that gets vital blood and blood products from donors to recipients.

I’ve blogged about almost all of the links in that life-saving chain: donors who generously volunteer to give the liquid of life; phlebotomists who skillfully, patiently drain that blood from donors’ arms; trained lab technicians who test blood for safety and for unique characteristics that will match with recipients.

But that only takes the blood and blood products so far. How does blood get to hospitals where it’s needed for trauma victims, surgery patients and folks being treated for cancer, sickle cell disease and other conditions?

That’s the flexible link in this chain of life. Volunteer Red Cross blood transportation specialists cover this last mile.

“Our blood collection and distribution system would stall without our transportation specialists,” said Alayah Ross, who supervises drivers out of the Cleveland Red Cross blood center.

“This is ideal for someone who enjoys driving and would like to be involved in a really meaningful activity,” she said.

“And one of the perks of the job is that it’s flexible. We ask for one to four trips a month; we need drivers during the day, in the evening and on weekends, so we work hard to match trips with our volunteers’ own schedules.”

Listen to and watch one of our “special” specialists talk about his experience:
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/696678128

Currently, the Red Cross needs volunteers to drive blood from blood collection sites to the lab in Cleveland for testing and processing, and to deliver blood products to hospitals around northern Ohio.

If you have a valid state driver’s license and at least three years of licensed driving experience, you can choose regular routes, stand-by emergency deliveries or both. This is a great volunteer opportunity for couples, friends or family members.

If you’d like to help hospital patients who need blood and blood products during their battle back to health, click here for more information.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer