By Hooria Yaqoobi, Youth Volunteer

Malinda Majors has dedicated over 35 years of her life to the American Red Cross, where she currently serves as a collections specialist. However, her commitment to the organization goes far beyond her own tenure. She comes from a family with deep ties to the Red Cross, with both her grandmother and mother volunteering and serving as part of the organization’s mission.

Her grandmother worked at the American Red Cross for 15 years, while her mother served as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for 10 years, also contributing extensive volunteer work. Growing up in this environment of compassion and service, Malinda’s path to the Red Cross seemed almost inevitable. For her, it wasn’t just a career choice, it was a calling to continue a tradition of helping those in need. Now she’s spent over three decades working with the Red Cross, and she loves what she does.

“I have to love it,” Malinda says. “If I’ve been here 35 years, I have to love it.”

The Vital Role of Phlebotomists at the Red Cross
Phlebotomists play a crucial role at the American Red Cross, particularly in the blood donation process. Their expertise ensures that each donation is collected safely and efficiently, providing a lifeline to patients in need of life-saving blood transfusions. These skilled professionals are responsible for drawing blood, ensuring the quality of the donation and guiding donors through the process with care and compassion.

At the heart of the Red Cross mission, phlebotomists not only contribute to the immediate needs of patients but also help build a sustainable blood supply, which is essential for hospitals and medical centers across the country.  The American Red Cross collects, processes and distributes 40% of the nation’s blood supply. Melinda says more people should roll up their sleeves to donate blood.

“More people need to do it for our general population to be prepared in case something happens,” Malinda says.

Rewarding Work of Phlebotomists
Over the years, Malinda has had the chance to meet many different donors, each with their own unique story. Every donor has a story, and behind every blood donation is a life that could be saved. That’s why Melinda doesn’t just work for the American Red Cross, she is also a blood donor herself.

“I’ve given blood, platelets, plasma, anything you can possibly give, I’ve donated,” she says.

Her advice for the people that want to be a phlebotomist in the future is to just do it.

“Just come and do it,” Malinda says. “It will actually make your life more valuable because you’ll be helping your community as well as your fellow co-workers and if you don’t love it, you’ll learn to love it. It is not hard at all.”

The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your donation helps saves lives and ensures new parents, premature babies, cancer patients and more have access to lifesaving blood.

To schedule an appointment to donate, visit RedCrossBlood.org.