Kaitlyn Bolar plays a critical role in helping to ensure American Red Cross blood drives in southeast Michigan are run seamlessly and efficiently.
As a scheduling coordinator, Bolar is responsible for making sure there is adequate staffing for the eight to 10 blood drives that are happening on a weekly basis across five counties. She is even handed in determining who goes where so travel distance is equitably distributed among the staff.
After receiving a list of blood drives, Bolar moves to build a spreadsheet of personnel assignments for several weeks in advance of the drives’ start dates.
“Even though I’m not directly hands-on in drawing blood, I still feel really good about being able to make sure these drives are staffed properly so we are able to collect enough blood for our hospitals,” Bolar said.
“I try to foresee any upcoming issues,” she added.
Bolar joined the Red Cross in 2021, one year after graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in biomedical sciences. After receiving phlebotomy training, she was assigned to the Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center in Bloomfield Township.
As the blood donor’s caregiver, a phlebotomist performs blood draws at Red Cross donation centers and blood drives. They also review the donor’s medical history to ensure the person is eligible to donate that day.
“I really love what the Red Cross is about,” Bolar said, “and how selfless of a community it is.”
After three years as a phlebotomist, Bolar moved to the scheduling coordinator’s position in late 2023. While she misses her work at the blood donation center, she’ll stop by now and then to visit her co-workers and donate blood. Bolar has donated 10 units of blood, eclipsing the celebrated one gallon mark.
Bolar credits blood donations with helping family members and friends during their medical treatments. She also recognizes the importance for maintaining a diverse blood supply.
“I love to be able to give back to my community, not only in a working aspect but also by giving blood,” she said. “I was super proud of that gallon because it took me a long time to get there. My hemoglobin was a huge battle for me. Even though a gallon sounds small, it’s a huge deal for me.”
By David Olejarz, regional communications director
