Alice Mann is a retired Registered Nurse (R.N.) who has been a regular donor for the past ten years. This was Alice’s first blood donation for this year (2021); however, she was able to make four blood donations in 2020 despite the COVID-19 crisis. Feeling right at home at the Red Cross Blood Donation Drive, Alice’s duties as an R.N. was to administer the various blood products to her patients like whole blood, platelets, and plasma. Alice said that “I’m giving back a little bit; if I can help others, that’s good.” A humble statement from a nurse who knows just how important blood donations are. One single donation has the potential of saving three lives! Alice was notified by the Red Cross that her last donation went to a patient in San Diego. 

Danya El Alam responded to a call for blood donors at a Red Cross blood drive being sponsored by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians at the Bear Spring Hotel in Highland, CA. It has been several years since her last blood donation, but Danya was willing to give and she didn’t hesitate to make a donation when she heard about the need for blood donations on the radio.

Jennifer Alertas is a first-time blood donor. Jennifer has wanted to donate for many years but did not think she qualified because of an illness. After being encouraged by her roommate, Jennifer used the Red Cross Blood Donor App to make an appointment. “I don’t even know my own blood type; I’ve never done this before,” said Jennifer as she waited at the reception table for a nurse. After discussing her concerns with the Nursing Supervisor, Jennifer found herself waiting in line as a first-time donor! After Jennifer’s donation, she needed to wait at the snack/hydration table for a few minutes before she went home. Jennifer said that the donation went well and was painless, and she felt good about the donation, and would return and do it again in the future.

This is Jonathan Villalobos’s fourth blood donation. Jonathan’s first blood donation was at a school blood drive. But now, Jonathan has stepped up his donation efforts from a normal blood donation to a double red blood cell donation. This entails being connected to a special machine that can separate the red blood cells from the whole blood and return the platelets and plasma back to the donor. This process takes about 30 minutes longer than a normal blood donation, but doubles the product that is needed by most patients. Another benefit of a double blood cell donation is that after the plasma is returned to the donor along with some additional saline, is that it may make the donor feel more hydrated after the donation. Jonathan has been looking for a blood drive for a while; but coincidently, the Red Cross called him a couple days before the blood drive to see if he was available to donate. Jonathan responded to the call for help and made his way to the blood drive being sponsored by the San Manuel Tribe of Mission Indians at the Bear Springs Hotel in the City of Highland. On one of the last blood donations Jonathan made, Red Cross Blood Services was able to notify him as to where his blood donation went, without disclosing the actual patients name, which did encourage him as a donor.

David and Toni Anderson are husband and wife who went out to dinner one night with David’s sister, Charlotte Fahey. While at dinner, the topic of the need for blood during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order came up. The trio decided to have a "blood donation date." Being frequent Red Cross blood donors, they were able to look up when the next blood drive in their area would be. They found that the Bear Springs Hotel in the City of Highland was sponsoring a blood drive. David, Toni, and Charlotte all coordinated to be at the San Manuel Bear Springs Hotel at the same time. The trio have coordinated blood donations in the past. Toni is a Nurse Practitioner and Charlotte is also in the medical field, and both have been blood donors for over 30 years! David’s first experience in blood donation was when he was in the Army in the 1970’s and he has now donated about 20 gallons. David is a retired accountant and is considering volunteering with the American Red Cross.

David and Toni Anderson are husband and wife who went out to dinner one night with David’s sister, Charlotte Fahey. While at dinner, the topic of the need for blood during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order came up. The trio decided to have a "blood donation date." Being frequent Red Cross blood donors, they were able to look up when the next blood drive in their area would be. They found that the Bear Springs Hotel in the City of Highland was sponsoring a blood drive. David, Toni, and Charlotte all coordinated to be at the San Manuel Bear Springs Hotel at the same time. The trio have coordinated blood donations in the past. Toni is a Nurse Practitioner and Charlotte is also in the medical field, and both have been blood donors for over 30 years! David’s first experience in blood donation was when he was in the Army in the 1970’s and he has now donated about 20 gallons. David is a retired accountant and is considering volunteering with the American Red Cross.

David and Toni Anderson are husband and wife who went out to dinner one night with David’s sister, Charlotte Fahey. While at dinner, the topic of the need for blood during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order came up. The trio decided to have a "blood donation date." Being frequent Red Cross blood donors, they were able to look up when the next blood drive in their area would be. They found that the Bear Springs Hotel in the City of Highland was sponsoring a blood drive. David, Toni, and Charlotte all coordinated to be at the San Manuel Bear Springs Hotel at the same time. The trio have coordinated blood donations in the past. Toni is a Nurse Practitioner and Charlotte is also in the medical field, and both have been blood donors for over 30 years! David’s first experience in blood donation was when he was in the Army in the 1970’s and he has now donated about 20 gallons. David is a retired accountant and is considering volunteering with the American Red Cross.

Lizzie Stewart's last blood donation was several years ago while she was still in high school. Lizzie said that she wanted to donate many times in the past but could not find the time. Lizzie works full time as a Veterinarian Technician in the City of Redlands. Lizzie was able to use the Red Cross Blood Donor App on her phone to make an appointment. As a Veterinarian Technician, Lizzie knows all about animal blood needs as well. Lizzie mention that there are six major blood types in dogs and three in cats. Knowing the importance of animal blood donations, Lizzie also knew about the importance of blood donations in humans as well!

Maria's first-time blood donation was a positive experience for her. Maria said that it was easier that what she expected, and she plans to make another blood donation in the future.