By Dana Simmons, American Red Cross

Jaye Lee Goodin donated blood for the first time in November 2020 to support her friend who was hosting a blood drive. Now, Jaye Lee is supporting hospital patients in need through her routine blood donations.

Blood products are needed every two seconds for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteers.

When Jaye Lee found out about the constant need for blood, she decided to donate her type O positive blood every 56 days at the Kearny Mesa Blood Donation Center. Type O positive blood is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals as it can be transfused to any positive blood type patient and is also critical in trauma situations.

“It’s such a normal practice of mine now that I wouldn’t think of it any other way,” said Jaye Lee. So far, she has donated six life-impacting units and counting.

The patients receiving Jaye Lee’s blood aren’t the only ones benefitting from her donation. “Emotionally, I feel amazing. I feel like I’ve done my good deed for the quarter,” said Jaye Lee.

Jaye Lee encourages others to do a lifesaving act and roll up their sleeve as well. “I preach about it all the time. I tell people it’s very easy. It’s not painful and you're helping the community. It doesn’t cost you anything.”

Thanks to the generosity of blood donors like Jaye Lee, patients across the nation are receiving help and hope when it’s needed most. If you want to help save lives, you can! Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).