By: Taylor Poisall
When every second counts, blood transfusions can be a lifeline.
At San Joaquin General Hospital, the importance of a reliable blood supply is felt every day. As the only designated trauma center in San Joaquin County, the hospital cares for patients facing traumatic injuries, emergency surgeries, obstetric emergencies and other life-threatening conditions where blood products can mean the difference between life and death.
"When the American Red Cross issues blood shortage alerts, those messages resonate deeply with our staff because we see firsthand how essential every donated unit can be," said Sadaf Mir, Trauma Nurse Clinician at San Joaquin General Hospital.
Recognizing this need, San Joaquin General Hospital strengthened its partnership with the American Red Cross through regular blood drives while building a culture of donation awareness among employees.
"From the beginning, this program was about more than collecting units of blood," Mir said. "We envisioned building a community that connected healthcare workers, patients, donors and the broader public through a shared mission of saving lives."
Sadaf Mir has played a key role in growing the blood drive program at San Joaquin General Hospital, helping inspire participation and support lifesaving blood donations throughout the community.
Today, the partnership extends beyond blood drives, bringing together employees, patients, donors and community members around a shared mission. Staff donate alongside colleagues, patients share stories of recovery and visitors learn how blood donation directly impacts patient care.
To strengthen that connection, San Joaquin General Hospital established a Blood Donor Recognition Wall, prominently featured in the hospital lobby. The display honors donors, highlights program milestones and educates staff, patients and visitors about the ongoing need for blood, serving as a visible reminder of the lifesaving power of donation.
As the hospital expands its use of whole blood transfusions for patients with severe traumatic injuries, maintaining a strong blood supply has become even more important.
For Trauma Surgeon Charlie Fredericks, the need for blood donors is directly tied to patient outcomes.
"Institutional blood product availability, especially in smaller or rural hospitals, can have a direct impact on patient outcomes," Fredericks said. "During a massive transfusion, or when multiple massive transfusions occur simultaneously, a hospital can quickly exhaust its available blood supply.”
Dr. Charlie Fredericks, a trauma surgeon at San Joaquin General Hospital, poses with SJGS’s Trauma Roo. Dr. Fredericks inspired Sadaf Mir to champion the hospital’s partnership with the American Red Cross.
"As hospital employees, we wanted to do our part to contribute to the American Red Cross's overall blood supply and help prevent local shortages," Fredericks said. "Our goal is simple: to donate as much whole blood as our hospital uses through its massive transfusion program. For us, donating blood is another way we can support our patients, our hospital and our community."
"Advances in trauma care can only be successful when lifesaving blood products are readily available," Mir said. "Through our partnership with the American Red Cross, we are helping ensure those resources remain available for the patients who need them most."
For clinicians on the front lines, the impact of blood donors is seen every day.
As an ICU nurse practitioner, Stephanie Hetrea understands how critical blood products are during life-threatening emergencies.
Stephanie Hetrea, ICU Nurse Practitioner at San Joaquin General Hospital and Red Cross Blood Program Leader, celebrates a successful blood drive with her trauma colleagues at SJGH.
"We are here to help those in need when there is a traumatic crisis situation," Hetrea said. "I know firsthand how much blood we use here in the ICU, and it's a lot. We depend on donors to take time out of their busy day to donate blood so that we can help our community members when they need it most."
Building on years of blood donation efforts, San Joaquin General Hospital has seen blood drive participation grow significantly over the past two years, resulting in more than 600 units of blood collected.
"We've been able to collect more than 600 units of blood through our partnership with the American Red Cross, which is an immense number," Hetrea said. "We couldn't have done that without the support of the community."
Hetrea encourages community members to consider donating blood whenever they are able.
"I invite everyone in the community to donate whenever you can," she said. "That small gesture goes a very long way. It's only 20 to 30 minutes out of your busy schedule, and we promise that your contribution will make a world of difference for those in need."
One patient's story illustrates the impact of blood donors.
A critically injured trauma patient treated at San Joaquin General Hospital required more than 100 units of blood products during hospitalization. The availability of those blood products, made possible by countless volunteer donors, played a significant role in the patient's survival.
After a lengthy recovery, the survivor returned to the hospital looking for a way to give back, designing custom shirts for the blood drive program as a message of gratitude and hope.
"Behind every blood donation is a person whose life may be forever changed," Mir said. "It highlights the unique connection between donors, healthcare providers, patients and families, a connection that inspired us to create this program in the first place."
Today, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to compassion, service and community while helping ensure lifesaving blood is available when patients need it most.
"Together, we are creating meaningful connections between those who give, those who receive and those who dedicate their lives to caring for others," Mir said. "One donation truly has the power to save and transform lives."
About Blood Donations
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Volunteer blood donors help ensure patients facing medical emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments and chronic illnesses have access to the lifesaving blood products they need. Through partnerships with organizations like San Joaquin General Hospital, the American Red Cross works to maintain a stable blood supply for communities across the region and country.
Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment and learn more. To learn more about hosting a blood drive, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
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