American Red Cross volunteer Rachel Noethen wants you to know it’s never too late to give blood for the first time – or in her case, to get back into the habit of donating.

Rachel has donated blood in the past, then paused as life got busy.

“I don’t even know why I stopped doing it,” she shared.

Seeing natural disasters and severe weather strain the national blood supply inspired her to roll up her sleeve again.

“I kept seeing it pop up on Red Cross social media pages, so I got back into it,” she said.

Rachel gave blood at the Horsham Blood Donation Center in the fall, then she made her very first platelet donation on New Year’s Day.

Giving blood and platelets is just the latest way Rachel supports the Red Cross. She also serves as a volunteer duty officer on the Disaster Action Team (DAT). In this role, she volunteers from home, taking requests from local authorities and dispatching Red Cross teams to help families affected by home fires and other emergencies.

Rachel typically volunteers two to four times per week, often covering the early morning 4–8 a.m. shifts that are notoriously difficult to fill.

“It’s such a great team, very welcoming” she shared. “The support of everybody is what keeps me super motivated.”

She also recently joined a Sound the Alarm smoke alarm installation event in Bucks County, giving her the chance to “put some faces and names together” since her duty officer work is virtual.

Beyond her Red Cross service, Rachel volunteers with the Philadelphia Folk Festival and Hemlock Edge Rescue.

Severe Blood Shortage

The Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urges people to take action now to help offset the impact of recent winter storms. To schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org.

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- written by Alana Mauger