For 18-year-old Elaina Edwards, the Helena Red Cross donor center has always been a place of comfort and connection. Scheduling her next blood donation is as familiar as the faces next to her donor chair. 

“My grandma works for the Red Cross, so I grew up here,” she said. “Having that personal connection got me really interested me in hosting these.” 

Beyond folding t-shirts in the office and donating blood, Elaina is helping to save lives by asking people who have been a stable presence in her own to roll up a sleeve at one of her blood drives. 

“It's almost like a family get together, having people come in and get caught up,” she said.  “And seeing the results at the end of the day, like especially reaching goal, is very satisfying.” 

She’s collected more than 200 units of blood over the past seven years; inspiring dozens of first-time donors to help patients in Montana and beyond. 

“Elaina's dedication to this critical mission demonstrates that one person truly can make a difference,” said Helena Account Manager for Donor Services and Grandma Nona Keeler. “Her efforts show that creating a lifesaving impact is often easier than people realize.” 

The sudden passing of her father in a vehicular accident also spurred Elaina to host blood drives, so others impacted by emergency trauma have the care they need. 

“I do this because it’s important,” she said. “My dad died when I was 14, so I kind of have some inspiration to want to save lives, to help people with that.” 

She’s proud to be part of a community that helps give patients a fighting chance at a future; one that emergency trauma, prolonged and chronic illnesses or cancer battles have stolen from so many.  

“I'm not a huge fan of donating itself, it makes me uncomfortable and I occasionally have a reaction,” she said. “But it could literally add years to someone's life. So, I figure I can suck it up for a couple of minutes.” 

Being connected to a community in need doesn’t have to stay behind the doors of a donor center. Donors can see how their own blood journey impacts patients through the Red Cross Blood Donor app. 

“It’s one of my favorite parts about donating. I know one of them has gone all the way to Maryland, just, like, completely across the country,” she said. “I think that helps gives you a tangible thing to see exactly how much you're doing to sort of realize exactly who you're helping.” 

Elaina moves to Missoula this fall to pursue a degree in mortuary sciences and plans to continue hosting blood drives in Helena..