By Alishia Sharma, American Red Cross

Edited By Michael A. Brown, American Red Cross

Every drop of blood donated to the Red Cross comes with a story … a story of another chance … a story of hope. It is through the kindness of blood donors that, every day, recipients receive the precious gift of tomorrow. As part of our mission, staff and board members from the Central and South Texas Region come together to donate blood and help save lives.

Each CSTR staff member has their own reason for choosing to donate. Among them is Business Operations Coordinator and regular blood donor, Beth Melton. Beth, from the Heart of Texas Chapter, has O-negative blood—the universal blood type. With her mother working as an ER nurse, Beth grew up hearing firsthand how a single unit of blood can mean the difference between life and loss.

“Blood donation is personal for me, too,” Beth shares. “My mother-in-law survived a serious accident before my husband was born, and it was Red Cross blood that saved her. The people who donated on one ordinary day are part of the reason my favorite person exists today.”

One of Beth’s most meaningful experiences as a donor came last year, when she received a notification that her donated blood had been used in the very same hospital where her husband was born.

“It was so moving and beautiful to know I helped save someone else’s favorite person,” she says.

Dennis Land, our Regional Planning and Situational Awareness Manager, and Development Coordinator Olivia Speed are also dedicated blood donors. Dennis shares that he tries to donate whenever possible. Olivia, a cancer survivor, became eligible to donate after her recovery and is now fulfilling her New Year’s resolution by giving blood as often as she can.

“Blood and blood products can also be used for some cancer treatments, so knowing I could potentially support cancer patients is special to me. When I’m donating, I always imagine what the gift of lifesaving blood might allow the recipient to do — pet their dog, cook their favorite meal, or enjoy time with their loved ones. Giving blood is a gift that keeps on giving,” Olivia shared.

Joe Cunningham, one of our newest board members for the Central Texas Chapter, has been donating blood since his very first high school blood drive in 2001—and he hasn’t stopped since. Last year, Joe proudly received his eight-gallon pin, and he’s already working toward his next milestone. For him, donating blood is a meaningful way to give back to the community he cares so deeply about.

As an O-type donor, Joe understands the powerful, lifesaving impact his donations can have on someone in need. One of his favorite parts about donating with the Red Cross is being able to see where his blood goes.

“I love being able to see where my donations were sent and knowing that I had an impact on someone,” Joe says.

Another powerful story comes from Reihaneh Hajibeigi, who faced a life-threatening blood loss shortly after she and her husband welcomed their first daughter. When Reihaneh began hemorrhaging, she lost about 40% of her blood. Fortunately, she received a transfusion of donated blood, and her life was saved within 10 minutes. She and her husband remain profoundly grateful for the selflessness of blood donors. Today, Reihaneh and her husband, Zach, never miss a donation appointment and are proud to give back. What was once abstract is now deeply personal—gratitude made tangible.

“I hope I can give back even a fraction of what someone gave me. You never know whose life you might be saving,” she said.

Javier Valdez, our Regional CEO, is another CSTR blood donor, inspired by the powerful stories of Red Cross donors and recipients.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to donate blood,” said Valdez. “I’ve always understood the importance of donation, but when I stepped into the CEO role, I was truly inspired by the many stories I heard across the American Red Cross—especially from my own team. That inspiration drove me to take action and live our mission.”

The American Red Cross extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to all who donate blood and platelets. Your acts of kindness serve as a lifeline, providing hope and the gift of life to those in need.