After having retired early from a career in information technology over 11 years ago, Vahe Hagopian knew that he wanted to stay active two or three days per week. For many years he donated blood and is notably in the five-gallon “club.” Coincidentally, as a result of surgery, Vahe received a blood transfusion himself and knows the therapeutic power of receiving the gift of blood. Most importantly, he believes in the Red Cross mission of compassion and the alleviation of human suffering.

Vahe began his Red Cross journey as a Blood Transportation Specialist picking up blood collected at Red Cross blood drives. 

Blood Transportation Specialists are the critical links in moving blood products around our region.  They deliver blood from our collection sites throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware to our lab in Philadelphia for testing and processing.

Conversely, after the blood products are processed and repackaged, Blood Transportation Specialists deliver blood products to hospitals and treatment centers for patient infusions. These specialists average six to eight hours per shift.

In addition to his role as a Blood Transportation specialist, Vahe maintains his own Red Cross vehicle.  This is an additional task which he has assumed since most volunteer drivers leave it to the fleet technicians at the Philadelphia Donation Center. As a result of his outstanding performance and quest for continuous improvement, Vahe received an Exceptional Biomedical Volunteer Award at the Celebration of Volunteers event in December. 

Challenges and solutions

During his 35-year corporate technology career, Vahe developed a passion for process improvement and productivity. He brings these skills to the Red Cross. Instead of leaving his official vehicle downtown, he parks it at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Horsham, which is closer to his suburban home.  This enables Vahe to pick up blood donations on the way into Philadelphia.  He coordinates pick-ups from blood donation locations with other transportation specialists to make routes more efficient. Also, he works with his transportation team members on optimizing scheduling systems.

Family life with pets and other personal interests 

Vahe and his wife will celebrate their 50th anniversary in October 2024, with a special overseas travel experience to celebrate this milestone.  The couple has four rescue cats and a 38-year-old Amazon parrot named Dolly.  

Vahe continues to play an IT support role for his wife and extended family. He is also an enthusiastic athlete and plays softball with the Montco Senior Softball league every summer.  He loves the game as well as the comradery of his fellow teammates.

Living out his life philosophy 

As our time in conversation was drawing to a close, I wanted to find out more about Vahe’s motivation for volunteering with the Red Cross.  Throughout our chat, Vahe repeated that he believed in the Red Cross mission of service to all and its humanitarian principles. He indicated that he has “no end date for retiring from the Red Cross.”  He shared that he does not want to “rust out;” he would rather “burn out” by staying active and engaged.

Vahe advises new volunteers that service to others is emotionally rewarding.  The mission rather than recognition is what motivates him. As he lives out his philosophy, Vahe certainly is a fireball lighting the way across the Red Cross universe!

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PHOTO: Vahe Hagopian (third from left) receives a 2023 Biomedical Volunteer of the Year Award during the Celebration of Volunteers on Dec. 6, 2023. He is pictured with Red Cross Regional CEO Jennifer Graham (second from left); Delaware Valley Board of Directors Chair John Susanin (far left) and Philadelphia Board of Directors Chair Larry Pockers (far right). Photo by Bill Thawley/American Red Cross

- Written by Maureen Zug