Tag Archives: Blood Collectors Week

Red Cross instructor and phlebotomist Linda King embraces her mom role

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

Among the cots and bustle of an American Red Cross blood drive, Linda King assisted donors and a newer phlebotomist when a long-time donor waved her over. When Linda approached the donor, whom she had known for years, the lady smiled and said, “You’re the mom. You’re such a mom.” Linda replied, “I know.”

Linda King, American Red Cross

Linda is happy to take on the role as “mom” to the many blood collectors she has helped over her 23+ years with the Red Cross as an on-the-job instructor and phlebotomist. “I love seeing new staff gain competence and flourish,” Linda said. She has also developed friendships with many donors, volunteers and others.

“I love it. I have the best job at the Red Cross,” Linda said.

As the Red Cross collects about 40% of the nation’s blood supply, blood collectors are vitally important to our mission. They take part in about 500 blood drives across the U.S. each day, helping ensure blood products are available whenever and wherever they are needed.

To help commemorate Blood Collectors Week, September 6-12,
I spoke to Linda about her experience at the forefront of one of the Red Cross’s core missions.

Linda’s Red Cross career began with a blood donor’s suggestion. “I was fresh out of classes when a friend who donated blood recommended I consider the Red Cross,” Linda said. Even while undergoing training, Linda knew she wanted to teach. Once she had five years’ experience as a phlebotomist, she also became an instructor.

Linda speaks highly of the many wonderful people she has met, including fellow Red Cross staff members, volunteers, blood donors and those she has met through travels to blood drives and Red Cross facilities. “It’s how I met my husband,” Linda said. They met when Linda was traveling to teach in Cleveland. He is also a blood donor.

Linda especially loves seeing those she trained take flight and continue their careers.

I asked Linda about her experience during blood emergencies. “The recent emergency was very well managed,” Linda said. “We saw a lot of new donors as well as the return of many who hadn’t donated for years.”

Linda also said that, in a blood emergency, she often sees nurses and blood bank staff members donating blood. “They see the effects of a blood emergency firsthand, like surgeries being postponed because there isn’t enough blood,” Linda said.

I asked Linda what she tells those interested in a blood collector career with the Red Cross. She said, “It’s a great job. As I say, I have the best job here. You get to travel, meet people, go to awesome places and meet a lot of repeat donors. The job has been wonderful.”

To those considering donating, Linda said, “Definitely give it a chance. It is so streamlined now, donors can answer the required questions at home and taking vitals is much quicker.” She also said that each day, a donor who hasn’t donated in a while expresses happiness that the finger prick for a hemoglobin check is no longer needed. “About 90% said it was the worst part,” she said.

Linda and her husband also enjoy camping, and traveling throughout our region helps them discover interesting towns and places. She is also an avid reader.

To schedule a blood donation, please visit RedCrossBlood.org.

To learn more about joining the American Red Cross in blood collection or other lines of service, visit RedCross.org.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Celebrate Blood Collectors Week by thanking those who make life saving blood donations possible

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

I walked into the cot-filled room on a sundrenched late-summer Friday, saw an arm rise and heard a smiling voice, “Hey, my man, I can take you over here!” After checking in with the American Red Cross blood donor ambassador, I was greeted by a phlebotomist, Will, who was professional, compassionate, and kind, as all the blood collectors I’ve met have been, making the experience as pleasant as possible. And phlebotomists are one portion of the blood collection process, as there are also ambassadors, apheresis operators, donor recruiters, and technicians.

These medical professionals play a critical role in our nation’s blood supply and health, yet their contributions are often unsung, so we honor their dedication, compassion, and skill during the 20th annual Blood Collectors Week, September 7-14.

Tessa Lewis, Red Cross phlebotomist, after ten Power Red donations were collected a recent blood drive at the Lakewood YMCA

To help celebrate the week, I spoke with Tessa Lewis, a phlebotomist with the Red Cross. Like many blood collection professionals, Tessa’s career choice grew out of a desire to help others. Tessa said, “My mom and close family are some of the most selfless people I have ever met. Growing up I had great examples of what a caring person looked like.” When Tessa was taking GED classes in Bucyrus, Ohio, which she credits with helping turn her life around, Tessa expressed her desire to help others with a counselor, who led her to phlebotomy school, which she loved. After working at a hospital for a short time, Tessa found her way to the Red Cross and loves her job.

When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Tessa said, “Not only do I get to help save someone’s life every day, I also get to travel places and meet new people. I’ve grown a close bond with multiple coworkers and donors.”

Browns Give Back hosted our annual First and Ten Blood Drive in the KeyBank Club of Cleveland Browns Stadium in partnership with the American Red Cross on July 27, 2024.

Tessa has had many positive experiences with donors. One example is a donor who was also a surgeon and family man and loved learning what vitamins can do for your body. “By the time he left,” Tessa said, “I had so much respect for him.” Later that week, Tessa received an e-mail from the donor who wrote several nice things, which really stuck with and further helped motivate her. Tessa also spoke of the critical need for a diverse blood supply, mentioning that it is especially heartwarming when donors show their support for sickle cell. Tessa also believes we need to continuously educate those in our lives on the importance of donating blood.

To celebrate Blood Collectors Week, Tessa plans to show her love to her colleagues and those in the lab who make it all possible.

Outside of her career, Tessa enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as yoga, meditation, and drawing. She also has an adventurous spirit and has skydiving on her bucket list.

Tessa highly recommends those who, like her, want to help others consider a career in blood collection, as there are many opportunities for growth.

Finally, thanks to the continuous work and dedication of blood collectors, my most recent donation was a little different, as the hemoglobin check did not involve a needle. (I also received an exceptionally groovy Peanuts t-shirt, which is available for blood donors until September 21st.) More information on Blood Collectors Week is available here. If you would like to meet some of our fantastic blood collection professionals like Tessa and donate blood, please visit RedCrossBlood.org.

American Red Cross Blood Collectors – a vital link in patient care

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Happy Labor Day! This year, the Labor Day holiday coincides with National Blood Collectors Week which is September 3-9. While it may be a coincidence, it is absolutely fitting because this week is a time to celebrate the contributions of blood collection workers in supporting hospital care. Without the more than 5,500 American Red Cross blood and platelet collections team members who work at blood drives and donation centers across the country, lifesaving blood would not be available for patients in need. Each year, Red Cross staff collect blood and platelet donations from nearly 2.5 million volunteer donors.

Here in Northern Ohio, we are fortunate to have wonderful collections staff across the 31 counties we serve. One of those amazing staff members is Danita Craig. Danita has been with the Red Cross for 9 ½ years. Her career has spanned many roles within the organization, from Collections Tech to Charge Staff and now a Team Supervisor in Cleveland.

As a Team Supervisor, Danita is focused on building a strong team, coaching and mentoring new employees and providing great customer service to staff, volunteers, recruitment representatives and blood program leaders. In her role, Danita says she can lead by example, showing her staff how much she loves her job and how exciting it is to help save lives with every pint collected. For Danita, the lifesaving blood she and her team help collect has a special meaning. “I have a relative who has sickle cell disease and receives blood products yearly, sometimes monthly, so this job impacts my life on a personal level,” said Danita. “I love knowing that where I work help saves many lives and helps my family member. I hold the mission close to my heart.”

In addition to her work in Biomedical Services, Danita had the opportunity to go to Florida and help with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian. “It was an honor to see people from all over the world come together to help others,” she said. Danita has always had a passion for taking care of people and as a Red Cross employee she has plenty of opportunities to do so. When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling with her family and line dancing with friends.

The Red Cross in Northern Ohio is thankful for Danita and all the collections staff who work so hard to help patients in need. If you’ve never donated blood or it’s been a while, there’s no better way to celebrate Blood Collectors Week than making an appointment to give. And right now, donations are especially needed as Hurricane Idalia caused more than 700 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected in the Southeast last week. Your donation not only helps local patients but allows the Red Cross to help whenever and wherever disaster strikes. Find a blood drive near you at redcrossblood.org.