By DeAnne Todd/American Red Cross

While a student at Boston University, one of Alexis Agrinsoni’s professors asked his class to write down where they saw themselves in five years. Alexis wrote, “I would like to be in a job where I can help people around the world and bring resources to the vulnerable and marginalized.”

Six years later, Alexis is realizing that dream as Individual Resiliency Program Director for the American Red Cross. Alexis was initially drawn to the Red Cross to help his native country and his people after Hurricane Maria slammed Puerto Rico — he started as a volunteer and eventually rose to become Regional Recovery Manager for the Los Angeles region. 

While a recovery manager, Alexis deployed around the country to ten disasters, including hurricanes, volcanos, fires, earthquakes, bombings, and mass shootings. Now as a part of the National Red Cross in Washington DC, Alexis connects clients to long term; when the rest of the world’s attention has moved on from a disaster, Alexis and the Red Cross are still on the job aiding recovery for those hardest hit.

In addition to his humanitarian work with the Red Cross, Alexis is also a frequent blood donor and recently donated expressly to promote the need for more Latino blood donors. 

Alexis hopes to spread this message to others in the Latino community, as approximately 57% of Hispanics are type O and play a critical role in meeting the constant need for blood. Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals because it is the most common blood.

“I would like to encourage other Latinos to donate blood,” he urged. “If you are Latino there is a good chance you could save another Latino’s life by having the same type. I feel empowered to donate because I am healthy and able to give this lifesaving gift.”

To find out more about becoming a blood donor visit redcross.org/give-blood.

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.