For many people, donating blood to the American Red Cross is not just a single act but a lifelong commitment to the humanitarian mission. Melody Yamaguchi is one of the super donors that has been donating blood since she was 18 years old, after getting inspired by her older sister. Through the changes and challenges in Melody’s life, she always found her way back to serving the mission of the Red Cross.
“During my cancer imaging, surgeries and radiation, my children and I were scared. All my energy went into supporting my children and finding my courage within.”
“I’m not an exceptional person, but through Red Cross blood donation, I’ve had the ability to do something extraordinary.”
–Melody Yamaguchi
From a young age, Melody’s sister emphasized the impact of donating blood, especially since they both had the O positive blood type. O positive blood is always in high demand because it can be transfused to any person with a positive blood type.
“She stressed to me how important our blood type is in an emergency situation, during surgery for patients and during some cancer complications. She donated regularly and I could hardly wait until I was 18, so I could donate too,” Melody said. “Whenever I heard of a request for Type O blood, I would try to donate. In the days before a functional Internet, I would receive a phone call.”
Because of her O positive blood, Melody has even had the opportunity to make direct donations for surgeries for her sister-in-law and brother-in-law.
Though they never had the opportunity to donate together, because Melody’s sister relocated to Southern California, Melody has donated blood in various locations across the Bay Area. She has donated to the Red Cross in San José and Pleasanton, as well as to other college blood drives and blood bank trucks. Currently, she donates blood primarily in Newark, close to her current home in Fremont, California.
Melody and her son goofing off on a camping trip
Melody always made it a priority to donate blood throughout her 20s. In fact, while having snacks just after making a blood donation, she would immediately make an appointment for the next date she was eligible to donate blood again.
However, Melody’s blood donations declined when her life got busy after having children, but she tried to donate as much as possible when her children were in school. Unfortunately, due to being diagnosed with cancer later in her life, Melody was deferred from donating blood until she recovered.
“During my cancer imaging, surgeries and radiation, my children and I were scared. All my energy went into supporting my children and finding my courage within,” she said.
Carrying on her sister’s mission of donating blood, Melody has also encouraged her friends and family to donate blood and explained the entire donation process to them.
“I’ve asked friends and family to donate. I tell them that each donation can help up to three people. I tell them there might be brief discomfort, but the gift of blood is priceless,” she said. “If someone says no outright, I back off. I’ve brought a few people to the Red Cross donation center to support them while they donate.”
Melody urges everyone who is eligible to donate to make it a priority to give blood regularly, highlighting their power to make a difference in the lives of those in need.
“I have been a blood donor for 45 years. I’m proud to have an O positive blood type, which can help so many people,” Melody said. “I’m not an exceptional person, but through Red Cross blood donation, I’ve had the ability to do something extraordinary.”
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