Phlebotomists and Donors: “We’re a Team”

Recognizing the heroes who collect life-saving blood

Phlebotomist Soleil Godina brings a grounded calm to every blood collectiong, creating moments of connection that help donors feel at ease. Her presence reflects the spirit behind the Red Cross mission: small gestures that build trust, strengthen community and encourage more people to give when they’re able. (Photos by Mimi Teller/American Red Cross).

Olivia Koutsky/American Red Cross

When blood technician Soleil Godina started working for the American Red Cross, she was already familiar with the mission through her dad’s regular blood donations. The greater surprise for her was that, after she joined, when her dad came in to donate, she could be the one facilitating his donation.

Blood technicians, also known as phlebotomists, are the people who collect, label and organize blood samples. Annually, the Red Cross celebrates phlebotomists the second week in February for their contribution to the lifesaving mission.

Soleil earned her phlebotomy license before joining the Red Cross and appreciated the additional specialty training Red Cross provides incoming phlebotomists. Her coworkers welcomed her questions and gave her additional tips for reaching hard-to-get veins.

According to Soleil, arm anatomies vary depending on the unique person donating. As Soleil grew into her role, she built confidence handling individuals’ different vein structures. At the same time, she got to know repeat donors and anticipate small details like their preferred arms for collection.

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At each drive, Soleil focuses on creating a welcoming space where donors feel supported from start to finish. Her work highlights how these events rely not just on technical skill but on compassion, conversation and the confidence that every donation will truly help someone.

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Every donated unit represents someone’s decision to help a stranger, and Soleil treats that commitment with care. Her role ensures each donation moves quickly into the supply chain, reinforcing the reliability that hospitals count on when they’re caring for patients in urgent need.

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Soleil’s enthusiasm energizes the mobile drives she supports across Southern California. Her work helps bring blood donation opportunities closer to neighborhoods, schools and workplaces, strengthening the network that keeps lifesaving blood products available whenever and wherever they’re needed most.

While most regions with a Red Cross biomedical presence have both permanent fixed sites and mobile donation centers, known as blood drives, Soleil exclusively works mobile blood drives. She travels across Southern California helping offer additional, convenient locations for donating. This includes college and high school campuses, where Soleil often meets first-time donors. She aims to encourage new donors by explaining and simplifying the process beforehand, ensuring that nothing in the process will catch them off-guard.

“It’s cool to see how the different students motivate each other [to give blood],” Soleil said.

Although the procedure itself is routine, each of Soleil’s blood collections saves more than one life. Soleil reminds herself of her impact by keeping one needle cap from each blood collection she manages. Then, at the end of the day, she counts her needle caps. It’s become a way to track her work ethic and remember the aid it provides to other people.

For donors who also want to feel connected to their donations, she recommends downloading the Red Cross Donor App on their smartphones, which follows every donor’s donations through the processing journey to its final lifesaving destination.

“It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that your blood is going to someone in need,” she acknowledged. By creating small habits and using the tools available, it can be easier to see meaning beyond the initial procedures.

Soleil sees value in both ends of the blood draw, whether someone’s a donor or a phlebotomist. “We’re a team,” she explained. And, more importantly, “This isn’t the end of the journey.”

Inspired by Soleil’s dedication? Take the next step. Give blood and follow your donation’s journey through the Red Cross Donor App. Your one contribution can help save more than one life. Visit redcrossblood.org for more information.

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.

February 13, 2026