By Lakyn Webb, American Red Cross
In June of 2015, Sam Estell’s life changed forever when he suffered a life-threatening medical emergency. The surgery that followed required a transfusion of fourteen units of blood, more than the typical adult’s capacity of ten units. He said the experience made him realize that his own life was saved because someone took the time to donate blood at an American Red Cross blood drive.
After the experience, Sam learned that his blood type was O+, which is the most needed blood type, and he has faithfully donated blood to help others. “I realized just how important it is to give blood. It is simple and goes a long way to save many lives.”
Over the past seven years, Sam has held multiple Red Cross volunteer positions and worked countless hours. He decided to start volunteering because “serving with the Red Cross allows me to remember what I went through and just how blessed I am to be here.”
His first volunteer role was with the Disaster Action Team providing immediate assistance to people in his local area who experience home fires or other disasters. Disaster Action Team volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to ensure that those who suffer disaster have immediate access to necessities such as food and shelter after their experience. American Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers responded to 60,000 home fires nationally in 2021 alone.
Sam also volunteers as a Blood Services Transportation Specialist. In this role, he is a vital connection between blood donors and recipients by delivering blood to hospitals in the St. Louis area. During one of these deliveries, Sam saw his name listed on one of the units of blood.
“I realized that my blood might save someone’s life just like mine was saved. It is an honor to deliver blood to someone in need.”
The Red Cross collects and distributes nearly 40% of the nation’s blood supply. Blood Services Transportation specialist shifts average four hours, and a volunteer works 2-4 shifts per month.
Sam’s longest-serving volunteer role with the Red Cross has been as a front desk assistant at the Greater St. Louis Chapter office. He enjoys getting to know the staff and helping individuals when they call or come into the office. Sam says he loves the front desk because he can engage in conversation with individuals and help them get much-needed services. “Volunteering this way keeps me connected and provides a wonderful atmosphere to help and to keep my experience in remembrance.”
Sam summed up his Red Cross experience by saying, “I enjoy working for the Red Cross. What the Red Cross does both locally and all over is wonderful. I get the opportunity to realize just how important giving blood is—just giving a few hours saves many lives”.
Volunteers carry out 90% of the Red Cross’s humanitarian work. There are many opportunities to serve your local community through the Red Cross that can be flexible to fit a volunteer’s schedule. Volunteering can provide the opportunity to learn new skills and serve the community both in person or virtually.