Dan Santos/American Red Cross

During Hispanic Heritage Month, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the American Red Cross encourages blood donations within Hispanic communities, where Type O blood is more prevalent and critically needed by hospitals. 

For Vanessa Portillo, a phlebotomist with 17 years of experience at the Red Cross Pasadena Blood Donation Center, raising awareness about blood donation is deeply personal.

Portillo was interviewed recently on what would have been the seventh anniversary of the death of her sister, Vivian Gonzalez, who died of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Portillo said platelets donated through the Red Cross helped give her sister two years in remission after her leukemia diagnosis.

The power of the donation hit home for Portillo when she eventually realized that she had been the one who finished the collection of the platelets at the donor center. The platelets were collected on a Tuesday and were given to Gonzalez on Thursday. Portillo happened to notice a code on the bag that looked familiar. 

“Oh, my goodness! I told my sister, ‘Somebody in Pasadena saved your life,’” Portillo said.

The experience emphasized for Portillo the life-changing gift that donors of blood and blood products provide. 

Gonzalez, who left behind two children, was remembered by Portillo as a “beautiful soul.” Portillo said her sister was a dental assistant and a blood donor herself. “She got me to be a blood donor,” Portillo said.

Portillo’s bone marrow turned out to be a match for Gonzalez and was used in a stem cell transplant as part of her sister’s treatment.

“I’m passionate about donations,” Portillo said. “Donor perception changes when it gets personal. It’s important to get minorities to donate.” 

Portillo is an apheresis technician, a specialist who operates equipment that collects specific blood components during a donation. These donations may include platelets, which are often used by cancer patients; plasma, which can help treat burn and trauma patients; and Power Red donations, which collect two units of red blood cells to help meet the constant demand for transfusions. 

Portillo noted that Hispanics tend to be underrepresented among blood donors. She encourages those hesitant to donate blood and blood products to “confront their fears.”

“You have to be uncomfortable to become comfortable,” Portillo said. “Just imagine how scared the person receiving the blood must be. You’re giving people a lifetime of time.”

As the provider of about 40% of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross relies on dedicated employees like Portillo to help collect, test and distribute lifesaving blood products for patients across the country.

As Hispanic Heritage Month ends, Portillo encourages those who are eligible to become blood donors. She knows firsthand that every donation has the power to extend or even save a life.

The blood that helps a patient in need today could one day help someone you love.

For Portillo’s family, it did.

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 or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.