by Lori Baker

While her mom drove her to the hospital, Reina Nunez passed out and experienced a seizure. She woke up three days later in the ICU.

Reina had not been feeling well but she was shocked to discover that she had a tumor in her pituitary gland.

She feels lucky that her brain tumor was not cancerous and that she didn’t need surgery or radiation. Her tumor is monitored with MRI imaging.

After being released from the ICU, she had to learn how to walk and breathe again. She was very tired. Her face and head were swollen so it took time to get back to normal.

Before her brain tumor, Reina was very active—running, hiking, biking, boxing, lifting weights and kickboxing. It took Reina a year to feel like herself again after many doctor appointments.

“When the brain tumor diagnosis came, I had to take it easy to recover. I had to learn that even a simple walk was a blessing. My life definitely changed but I’m so thankful to be alive,” she said.

As a Red Cross phlebotomist for 18 years, Reina has helped many blood donors throughout Arizona feel comfortable as they donate.

Now that she is healthy and feeling much better, Reina is celebrating life by also hosting Red Cross blood drives and has collected 111 units so far.

“I was given another chance to be alive and so I wanted to give back to my community by hosting blood drives. I love doing blood drives because I know that every unit is going to save someone’s life and it makes a big difference in not only the patient's life but also their family’s lives.”

Growing up, Reina held her mom’s hand when she took her and her brothers to a Red Cross blood donor center in California every couple months. Her mom showed them the importance of giving blood.

“Who would’ve thought years later here I am working for the American Red Cross, the same company my mother used to give blood to,” she said.

Reina’s family members regularly donate blood, including her mom, brothers, sister-in-law and cousins.

“It feels good to know that I am the catalyst in my family to encourage them to give blood,” Reina said.

While hosting blood drives, Reina enjoys decorating the spaces, and bringing food and snacks. She also gives away T-shirts and other goodies that the Red Cross provides for donors.

“I like that we make it into a big celebration. One pint at a time, we are making a difference,” she added.

Reina said she is proud to work for the Red Cross.

“I love the fact that we at the Red Cross have a mission, which is to alleviate the suffering, and it feels good, knowing that we are doing good in the world,” she said.

If you’re interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, go to redcross.org for more information.

The American Red Cross is the nation’s largest single supplier, providing about 40% of blood and blood products. Each day, the Red Cross must collect about 12,000 units of blood at approximately 500 blood drives in order to meet this constant and urgent need.

Blood donation appointments can be scheduled by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.