The work of the American Red Cross would not be possible without the many volunteers and donors who selflessly continue to give their time and resources in support of the organization’s mission. Michael Weber is one of those supporters who has donated both blood and funds several times, exemplifying the values and company culture of his employer, Simpson Strong-Tie.
Michael, who lives in San Leandro, Calif., has a long history of donating blood, beginning in 2001 after the tragic events of 9/11. Witnessing the suffering in the aftermath, Michael felt spurred to donate his blood to the Red Cross to help those in need.
“It brought home to me how dangerous the world can be. Bad things happen to everyone, so we need to pitch in and alleviate the suffering,” he said. “I was close to 40 at that time, and I hadn’t given blood before. I was a little apprehensive at first, but I learned how easy it is.”
The next time Michael donated blood was in 2015 when he was working at Simpson Strong-Tie. He participated in the company’s blood drive with the Red Cross and has continued to be a regular blood donor ever since.
“I’m not made of money, but I’m made of blood, and people need blood all the time. It can save lives. I believe it’s one of the most effective ways to give back to the community,” he said. “Even on days when I don’t feel I’ve accomplished much else, just going in and giving blood makes me feel like I’ve done something real, something important. I always feel better about myself on those days.”
Simpson Strong-Tie, a leading manufacturer of parts and systems for construction, is based in Pleasanton, Calif., and has been an important corporate partner of the Red Cross for many years through its consistent blood drives as well as donations to the organization’s disaster relief efforts. Most recently, Simpson Strong-Tie donated $25,000 to the Red Cross in support of the ongoing relief efforts in Venezuela following the earthquakes in June.
Michael highlighted that Simpson’s founder, Barclay (“Barc”) Simpson, ensured that community outreach was ingrained in the company’s culture. In fact, “Give Back” is among Simpson’s nine company values, which derive from Barc Simpson’s “Nine Principles of Doing Business.”
“That was a big one with Barc. He was a dedicated philanthropist who donated generously to many social, educational and cultural causes,” Michael said. “The company encourages us to give whatever we can and matches our donations up to $5,000 per employee per year. It helps to know you work for a company that shares your values and ideals.”
In 2019, Michael gave platelets for the first time at the Oakland Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center and has since incorporated platelet donations into his routine as well.
He excitedly shared that he is coming up on his 50th donation soon and aims to reach 75 donations in the next six years, by the time he reaches his next decade birthday. Because of Michael’s work and advocacy as a blood donor with the Red Cross, he has been nominated twice for Simpson’s annual Community Hero award, which recognizes employees for their charitable giving.
More recently, Michael had the opportunity to tour the Red Cross blood facility in San Leandro, where he met many Red Cross workers and volunteers. The tour made him realize all the steps and precautions taken in the blood donation process.
“It was very interesting and inspiring to see all the people there,” he said. “I feel funny when people at the Red Cross call people like me heroes because you’re the ones doing it every day. A lot of you could probably find more lucrative jobs or lines of work, but you choose to do this because you see a benefit to society. So, I consider you the heroes.”
Michael has always had positive experiences with Red Cross volunteers, noting that they never fail to make him feel welcomed and respected. His belief in the Red Cross mission continues to ignite his passion for donating blood.
He even makes it a priority to schedule his year’s blood and platelet donation visits with the Red Cross at the beginning of each January, seamlessly integrating the act into his personal calendar.
For those who may feel nervous about donating blood, he encourages them to take the first step of learning about the blood donation process and incorporating the act of donating into their everyday lives.
“There was a time in my life when I probably didn’t think I would be doing this regularly, then all of a sudden, I saw the light and decided this is a really good use of my time. If you haven’t done it before, you might want to try it. It’s actually not painful, and it’s extremely safe. The phlebotomists take every precaution with hygiene, and they do everything they can to make the process relaxing and comfortable. You can even watch a movie on Netflix while giving platelets,” he said. “I hope that sharing my donation journey can inspire others to do it too.”
To learn more about the blood donation process and how you can get involved, visit https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html.
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