2024 Hero Honoree, William Taylor: Since 2018, Red Cross platelet donor William Taylor has been traveling from his home in Riverside County to regularly donate platelets at the Red Cross Pomona Blood Donation Center—about 72 miles roundtrip. A dedicated platelet donor, William waits patiently at each appointment as specialized equipment draws whole blood from one arm, separates platelets and returns red blood cells to him. The process takes up to three hours and results in several transfusable platelet units. William recently donated 371 platelet units. Platelets can be used to help organ transplant patients, those undergoing surgery or patients battling cancer. Because platelets have a shelf life of only five days, they are in constant need, and the Red Cross is thankful for volunteer platelet donors like William who play a critical role in offering hope and healing for patients in Southern California and beyond. Now, William will be able to donate platelets closer to home at the Riverside Blood Donation Center.

2024 Hero Honoree, Tina Vazquez: Tina Vazquez, a Red Cross Blood Program Leader, has been instrumental in the resurgence of in-person blood drives sponsored by Circle K West Coast after the COVID-19 pandemic. Tina personally recruits Circle K staff and community members to give blood at local Circle K West blood drives, printing and posting flyers at stores and neighboring businesses, community centers and places of worship. “Tina is a wonderful advocate for Red Cross within Circle K and beyond. She has such a huge heart and is committed to serving her community,” said Lois Beckman, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Riverside County. “Her work and efforts have undoubtedly led to many lives saved through the blood drives she has coordinated. She is fierce when it comes to recruiting blood donors. She is a true hero who goes above and beyond to serve others.”

2023 Hero Honoree, Donna Piantoni: Donna Piantoni has been donating blood for over three decades. Donna began donating blood in 1988. In 1990, she exclusively began donating platelets, donating blood on her days off. Over the course of 208 visits, Donna has donated 415 units of platelets. A platelet donation can take from 2.5-3 hours a visit, meaning she has approximately spent over 600 hours donating blood with the Red Cross. Donna has experienced many people in her life being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, so donating platelets is personal to her. Now that she’s retired, Donna has her appointments booked for every two weeks to the maximum of 24 times per year. She is also involved with the American Legion Post in Santa Ana, where she has helped organize and recruit others to donate blood. Now, Donna will be able to donate platelets closer to home at the Riverside Blood Donation Center.

2022 Hero Honoree, Mark Shinoda: While many people would want to go home after working a long day, Mark drives from Riverside County to Orange County to donate lifesaving platelets. Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. This blood product is most often used by cancer patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Platelets are a vital element of cancer treatments and organ transplant procedures, as well as other surgical procedures. Platelet donation involves two needles and a lot of patience, because an average donation takes 2.5 hours. Mark is undaunted by this and donates consistently every other Wednesday evening. In 2020, even amid the pandemic, Mark still managed to give 22 times. In 2021 his commitment continued, and he donated again 22 times. The staff at the Red Cross Santa Ana Blood Donation Center appreciate Mark because he’s always patient, never complains and is a pleasure to work with. Mark understands the importance that donating his time and sharing his good health to help give hope and healing to hospital patients in need of lifesaving platelets. Now, Mark will be able to donate platelets closer to home at the Riverside Blood Donation Center.

2021 Hero Honoree, William Steele: William Steele started donating whole blood while he was in the Air Force in 1962 and started donating his platelets in 1987. Platelets are tiny cells in blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets. Platelets must be used within five days, and new donors are needed every day. That’s why platelet donors like William are so important to helping save patients’ lives. William lives in Beaumont and makes the regular commute to Pomona to donate every seven days, sitting on the donor chair for two to three hours at a time. The average commute to his donation is 110 miles roundtrip, yet even during the pandemic, he remains committed to keeping his regular appointments. At 76 years young, he has donated more than 800 platelet units, helping thousands of hospital patients. Now, William will be able to donate platelets closer to home at the Riverside Blood Donation Center.

2020 Hero Honoree, William "Bill" Reines: The Red Cross must collect more than 2,500 platelet donations every day for patients in need. For millions of Americans, these tiny cells that form clots and stop bleeding are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. Platelets have a brief shelf life of just five days, making committed platelet donors vital to fulfilling the Red Cross mission. Bill started donating platelets in 1987. He regularly commutes across county lines from his home in Corona to the Red Cross Santa Ana Donation Center to donate. From start to finish, it takes about two to three hours to donate platelets and each donation can help up to three patients. Throughout the years, Bill has donated more than 417 units of platelets, helping to make a lifesaving difference in the lives of thousands of hospital patients. Peter Vu, a Coordinator at the Red Cross Santa Ana Blood Donation Center, notes the following: “Mr. Bill Reines is just the best kind of donor. In his hundreds of donations, I can honestly say that I’ve never heard him complain. There’s a quiet joy and confidence about him that doesn’t need to call attention to himself, he just knows the good he wants to accomplish and does it.” Now, Bill will be able to donate platelets closer to home at the Riverside Blood Donation Center.

2019 Hero Honoree, Thomas Van Dorn: Thomas Van Dorn works for the city of Azusa and resides in Moreno Valley, yet every other Saturday since 1997, he’s made the 100-mile roundtrip journey to Fullerton and back to make platelet donations. The sacrifice he makes has helped save countless lives and inspired many others to give the gift of life, too. Thomas’ inspiration for such a gift comes from his son, Mitchell. In 1995, Mitchell passed away at the age of five after a long battle with cancer. Regular platelet donations had helped Mitchell’s blood form clots to stop bleeding. When Mr. Van Dorn lost his son, he decided to switch his regular blood donations, which he had been making for ten years, to platelet donations to honor the memory of his son. He now gives platelets every other week, the most a person can give. He has donated over 1,000 units of platelets in the past twenty-one years, a remarkable milestone in the history of platelet donations. Now, Thomas will be able to donate platelets closer to home at the Riverside Blood Donation Center.

2018 Hero Honorees, Don and Donna Luginbill: Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. When disaster strikes, it’s the blood on the shelves that is used immediately. For millions of patients every day, the gift of blood is the gift of life.  Long-time Red Cross blood donors—and financial donors—Don and Donna Luginbill are saluted as two blood donors whose regular blood donations help save lives. The reason for donating blood can be personal. For Donna Luginbill, she began donating blood in the early 1980s when a friend’s mother was fighting bone cancer. Soon after, her husband Don began accompanying her to blood drives and donating as well. Together, they typically donate blood every two months. Strong believers in saving lives, they encourage family, friends and business associates to donate blood. In addition to being blood donors and advocates, Don and Donna have supported the American Red Cross by sponsoring, organizing and volunteering for fundraising events. Their commitment to helping others is nothing short of inspirational.  Not wanting to be referred to as “heroes,” this humble couple continue to open their hearts and roll up their sleeves to help others.