The American Red Cross responds to a disaster every eight minutes, around the clock, 365 days a year. But our humanitarian work wouldn't be possible without our tireless volunteers, who constitute 97 percent of our total work force. Nearly 50,000 responded to the September 11 tragedy. Thousands still remain on the scene, and will remain there as long as there is a need.

Red Cross "everyday heroes" come from all walks of life and from all age groups. Everyone has something special to offer and everyone has an inspiring story to tell. There are many faces of service, and these are their stories.

Blood Center Volunteer Puts Donors at Ease

Written by Becky Orfinger, Staff Writer, RedCross.org

Southern California blood region volunteer James Taylor, pictured here (left) with his boss Nicholas Harper, was recognized last October as "Volunteer of the Month."

January 30, 2002 — Of the thousands of American Red Cross volunteers, the most visible are disaster relief workers. But there are hundreds of volunteers who donate their time to keep other Red Cross services going strong. James Taylor, a 57-year-old businessman, has been volunteering at the Red Cross Southern California Blood Region for almost a year. Although he is happy to help out in any capacity, Taylor mainly works at blood drives throughout the Los Angeles area.

As one of the more experienced volunteers at the blood center, Taylor is often asked to coordinate the work of all the other volunteers there. Nicholas Harper, who is in charge of all volunteers at the Southern California Blood Region, said that Taylor is someone he counts on to train newly recruited volunteers and "make everyone at the blood center feel at home." Harper also praised Taylor for his willingness to staff blood drives whether they are held at the West Los Angeles blood center or aboard a bloodmobile elsewhere in the city.

"I just try to help out wherever I'm needed," said Taylor, dismissing the idea that his work is any different than that of his co-volunteers. When he isn't needed at a blood drive, Taylor is ready to help with the tedious task of inventory maintenance. Each Red Cross blood region (there are 36 across the country) must keep track of an enormous inventory of blood drive supplies — from latex gloves and Band-Aids to the cookies and juice for the canteen.

Taylor began volunteering at the Red Cross after he found out that he wasn't eligible to donate blood because he had lived in Europe for several years. (The Red Cross bans donors who have spent time in certain European countries because of their potential exposure to the agent that causes variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, commonly known as "mad cow" disease.) "I was disappointed that I couldn't give blood," said Taylor, "so I asked if there was anything else I could do to give back to the Red Cross." He was referred to volunteer coordinator Harper, and the rest is history.

When Taylor is volunteering at the blood center, he makes it his mission to make donors as comfortable as possible so that they are more likely to return. Because first-time blood donors are often apprehensive, Taylor tries to ease their nerves by explaining that blood donation is quick, easy and virtually painless.

Taylor and other Red Cross blood center volunteers often help run the canteen, where donors can relax and enjoy cookies and juice after giving blood.

Regular donors don't usually need to be convinced of the merits of blood donation, but Taylor said that he "gets to know their personalities and preferences" so that he can ensure that they have a positive donation experience each and every time they come to the center. He also helps staff the canteen at blood drives, making sure that donors eat and drink after they have finished donating, to replenish lost fluids and minerals.

Taylor values the time he spends talking to donors at the blood center, and feels privileged to meet so many people who are willing to donate blood because they know it can help save a life. "In the grand scheme of things, not very many people will give up a part of themselves — literally &3151; for a stranger," said Taylor. "We have a donor that has given 78 units of blood in his lifetime. That's dedication."

Many of the blood center volunteers also develop a camaraderie with the regular donors, said Taylor, something he finds personally rewarding. Plus, given the blood center's proximity to Hollywood, Taylor likes the fact that he occasionally gets to talk to famous donors. Although he admits that most of the actors that come into the blood center haven't quite made it big yet, Taylor said former M*A*S*H star Elliot Gould came to donate during one of his shifts.

Because his work requires frequent relocations, Taylor isn't sure how much longer he'll stay in the Los Angeles area, but believes that he will continue to donate his time to the Red Cross whenever possible — wherever he may settle next. "If volunteering wasn't fun, I wouldn't do it," said Taylor. "The time I spend each week at the Red Cross is really very satisfying."

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