Written by Allison Skoglind, Red Cross Volunteer
When Robert Cork first spotted a job listing for a driver with the American Red Cross, he wasn’t searching for a lifelong calling, just a little stability. “I was working in a cabinet shop and as a musician,” he recalls. “I had no benefits and saw the listing for a driver for mobile blood drives. I thought, why not? Something bigger than myself — yes, please.”
That snap decision turned into a 25-year career that has taken him across Oregon and beyond, helping to bring lifesaving blood to hospitals and patients who need it most. This November, Robert celebrates his quarter-century milestone with the Red Cross, an accomplishment he finds both serendipitous and a strong point of pride.
Starting as a mobile unit assistant, Robert soon learned to wear many hats. Throughout his service, he’s also become a phlebotomist, health screener, charge (drive lead), subject matter expert, mentor, and trainer. He even serves as the union shop steward for the Portland branch, advocating for his coworkers by acting as a liaison between employees and management.
Despite the long hours and logistical challenges of a mobile operation, Robert stays grounded in what matters most — people. “Making a tangible difference for our donors and recipients is what keeps me here,” he says. “Sometimes I get the story of why someone donates, which is always poignant and a privilege. Many of these donors I’ve worked with for years.”
From local churches to corporate sponsors, Robert has built deep connections that reflect the Red Cross spirit of compassion and public service. “I feel like I’m a credible and important part of the community,” he says. “I’ve formed many long-term relationships with sponsors and donors in corporate, religious, and local government circles.”
Through the years, Robert has witnessed history in motion, and at times, even helped write it. He vividly remembers the weeks following 9/11, when the demand for blood donations skyrocketed. “On 9/11 I worked a 2–7 p.m. blood drive with a goal of 30 units,” he recalls. “I left after midnight with almost 100 units. This went on for weeks.”
The COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of challenges, from changing health protocols to polarizing opinions about masks and vaccines. “I deferred more people for high blood pressure in an 18-month period than I did in all the years prior combined,” he confesses, a testament to the stress everyone was feeling, and the resilience required to persevere.
While discussing the Red Cross’s changes throughout the years, Robert points to technological advances as the biggest game-changer. “The diagnostic equipment we use has improved drastically,” he says. “The advent of simple computer programs for health assessment and eligibility was a godsend.”
Today, the most valuable lesson Robert learned through his Red Cross service is simple but powerful. Above all else, he says, “One small act can have a tremendous benefit for another.” It’s a truth he’s lived every day behind the wheel, at the donor bed, and alongside his teammates.
When asked about the best way to help support the Red Cross, Robert was adamant, exclaiming, “Volunteer! Either in the community with humanitarian service, or by donating blood and blood products with biomedical services.”
As he looks toward retirement next year, Robert hopes the Red Cross continues to emphasize relationships, which is the heartbeat of every blood drive and every volunteer effort. “I hope we focus more on relationships with our donors, sponsors, customers, and staff,” he says.
Outside of work, Robert stays connected to his roots. He lives in the Tualatin Valley with his wife, holds a degree in anthropology from the University of Oregon, and remains a professional musician, harmonizing his love of art and service.
His final advice to those just starting their Red Cross journey? “Always remember the mission.”
It’s simple to start your volunteering journey: visit RedCross.Org/Volunteer and find your calling.
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