By Paul Miller, Northwest Region

One day last year, Tyrel Mullendore was attending a church meeting in Gig Harbor and the discussion turned to a blood drive with the American Red Cross. His local ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, like so many other churches and organizations, is a valued partner in helping address the constant 24/7 need for an adequate blood supply.

Donating blood had not been on Tyrel's radar, but during the meeting something resonated with him. He recognized the life-saving implications of a donation and soon signed up for his first Red Cross blood drive. 

Born six weeks premature

It was only later that Tyrel recalled a more personal connection to blood donations. When he was born, he was six weeks premature and weighed less than five pounds. Because of a blood-type incompatibility, he required blood transfusions.

He was in an incubator and spent weeks in the hospital. With the care he received, including that essential blood, Tyrel recovered and went home with his family.

Now a full-grown six-and-a-half-foot tall man, Tyrel is a regular donor. 

Using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, it is easy to find a convenient blood-drive date and time

Tyrel contributed five times in the past year, including Power Red, a specialized process where you safely donate two units of red blood cells in a single appointment.

Tyrel says that by using the Blood Donor app it is easy to find a convenient blood-drive date and time, and the donation does not take very long. He schedules his next donation after completing his most recent one, because somewhere, someone else needs blood. Perhaps another baby.