Thanks to blood provided by the Red Cross and its donors, Marc Coronel's father's life was prolonged by five precious days. This gift of extra time inspired Coronel to become a Red Cross emergency medical responder. Photo by Mimi Teller/American Red Cross.
By Chloe Kenney/American Red Cross
Blood donations can play a pivotal role during a health crisis, as was the case for American Red Cross volunteer Marc Coronel’s father.
In Nov. 2022, Marc’s father, a retired U.S. Navy military police officer and Desert Storm war veteran, was hospitalized for complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Placed on a ventilator, Marc found himself saying an unexpected goodbye to his father. In a Hail Mary, Marc's father received a blood transfusion that gave Marc’s father five more days to live, and Marc, five more days with his father.
After learning the transfused blood was supplied by the Red Cross, Coronel was inspired to complete his Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training. Coronel and his father had discussed the opportunity in depth, with Coronel promising his father he would become a Red Cross EMR.
Traveling between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Coronel spent his father’s remaining days by his side in the hospital, while also completing the 60 hours of required ERM training. During one of their very last conversations, the two discussed Coronel volunteering as an EMR for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade; His dad smiled and said, “I’m proud of you.”
Coronel followed through on his promise to his father and became an EMR for the Roses Parade in January 2023.
In 2024, Coronel doubled as both a passenger on the CORE Kidney “Gift of Life” float and as a Red Cross EMR volunteer. Within minutes of completing the parade’s five-mile route on the CORE float, Coronel switched into his Red Cross uniform and got to work with the Red Cross aiding spectators and participants experiencing medical emergencies. As the recipient of a kidney transplant himself, the 2024 Rose Parade represented two health battles for Coronel: His father’s and his own.
Left: Pictured with his parade day Deputy Incident Commander Christy Adair, Coronel's dual role at the 2024 Rose Parade symbolized triumph over adversity, from riding the CORE Kidney float as a kidney recipient, to (right) aiding medical emergencies in his Red Cross uniform. Photos by Mimi Teller/American Red Cross.
“My father’s blood transfusion magnified the importance of blood donations” Coronel said. “Our story is a reminder that blood donations are often used in critical situations.”
With his father Anthony Coronel. During his father's final days, Coronel blanced his hospital vigils with Red Cross EMR training and in their poignant final moments, his father made his pride known. Photo courtesy of Marc Coronel.
Keeping a robust blood supply remains vital to the mission of the Red Cross. As we emerge from a severe blood shortage, we urge those who can donate to do so. Learn more about donating blood at: https://www.redcrossblood.org
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la.
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