“Every year, 95.5 KLOS listeners rally to the drumbeat—donating blood and saving lives with heart and soul. It’s a tradition of compassion, courage, and community spirit that shines especially bright during the summer, when the need for blood is at its highest,” said Eric Horton, regional donor services executive with the American Red Cross Los Angeles region. “The Red Cross and those in need count on everyday heroes – like you – to step up and make a life-changing impact.”
More than 41 years ago, a teenage William Gemberling was working bagging groceries at a local market. His manager enticed him to donate blood by suggesting he would get more work hours. “That was the first time,” said Gemberling, now a math teacher at Thousand Oaks High School. “I’ve donated more than 50 times. I try to get my students to become blood donors because it really helps save lives.”
“I have O+ [type] blood and it can always be used,” said Margaret Monk. She was happy to pull out her cellphone and open the Red Cross Blood Donor app to prove that she has donated 52 times. “I have ‘rolling veins’ so I always ask for the ‘Vampire,'” she continued with a smile. “That’s the phlebotomist with the most experience. I donate blood to help the community and to make amends for my mom.” She went on to explain that she was just a teen when her mom died of cancer, and was afraid to donate back then, but she’s not afraid anymore.
Jaime Iannolo is a blood donor and a Red Cross Amabassador. Blood Donor Ambassador volunteers engage donors by greeting, registering, answering questions, providing information, and supporting them through the entire process. “It’s an invaluable way to give back,” she said, “you can’t put a price on it. My mom has always donated, maybe a million times. It just makes you feel like a superhero!”
Stories and Photos by Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer
Red Cross Central California Blog 