The connection between blood donor and blood recipient doesn’t just happen easily. There are many people in-between who make the American Red Cross lifesaving mission possible. 

Each year, thousands of volunteers commit to helping those who need help most. Whether it is providing relief to a citizen after a disaster or transporting much needed blood products to hospitals nationwide. Blood transportation specialists are volunteers with the Red Cross who commit to filling two shifts or more every month to drive blood products from donor centers to patients in need. 

In Nashville, one individual has delivered on that mission and then some. Bill Murray has logged more than 705 hours driving life-saving blood products to hospitals. His actions earned him recognition for the “Award of Excellence” for Red Cross as a blood transportation specialist. 

“Many times, Bill Murray has rearranged his schedule to help meet the needs of the BioMed Manufacturing Department,” said Flint Clouse, Regional Volunteer Services Officer at American Red Cross for the Tennessee Region. “He is a tremendous help to us all helping to fill in when staff has requested time off for holidays, driving more than 800 miles throughout Tennessee during the holidays to make sure hospitals had the supply of blood they needed at a most critical time.”

The “Award of Excellence” recognizes volunteers who step up and provide service that is above and beyond the call of duty. The award was given to Murray during the annual meeting at the Nashville Area Chapter for the Tennessee Region. 

“Bill has often volunteered as much as three times a week,” said Clouse. “We are so very fortunate to have such a loyal and reliable volunteer as Mr. Murray who truly personifies the Red Cross mission.”

Volunteers provide critical support to the American Red Cross mission. In fact, 90% of the Red Cross’ humanitarian work is carried out by volunteers. To find out how you can make a difference as a volunteer blood transportation specialist go to RedCross.org/Volunteer for more information. 

The Tennessee Region of the American Red Cross serves all 95 counties in Tennessee, Crittenden County in Arkansas and Desoto and Tunica counties in Mississippi.