By Andrea Manokian, Red Cross Communications Volunteer
“Knowing that one donation can save more than one life motivates me to give back and support my community in any way I can.” – Jessica Steele
Jessica Steele is a 30-year-old single mother who is devoted to saving lives. Having worked in the medical field since she was 17, Jessica embodies an innate sense of compassion for helping those in need. She recently celebrated her third blood donation with the American Red Cross, and she has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
Jessica’s decades-long tenure in the healthcare industry motivated her to start her blood donation journey with the Red Cross. “It made me realize how important it is for all of us to step up and help where we can,” she says.
As a child, Jessica spent ample time in hospitals and witnessed firsthand how vital blood donations were to those in critical conditions. In fact, a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. It’s these unique experiences that propelled Jessica to donate blood. “Knowing that one donation can save more than one life motivates me to give back and support my community in any way I can. It’s an incredible feeling knowing that a small act can make such a big difference,” she says.
Jessica plans to continue her blood donation journey in hopes of saving as many lives as possible. “What keeps me going is knowing that hospitals are always in need of blood,” she says. And she’s right. Every two seconds, someone in the United States requires blood and/or platelets. The Red Cross is often in dire need of blood and platelet donors, especially type O blood, but all blood donations save lives. “I’m A-positive. It’s not a universal blood type, but it’s still needed and can help many people,” says Jessica. “Every donation counts, and that’s what matters most to me,” she adds.
Each time Jessica donates, she thinks about the lives she could save. She encourages others to think about the lives of their own loved ones. “If someone you cared about needed blood, you’d hope that others would step up to help. Donating is a simple way to be that person for someone else,” she says.
The Red Cross celebrates the gift of giving and the gift of life. The organization has thousands of blood drives scattered across the nation equipped with experienced phlebotomists, devoted staff and volunteers. They even provide water and snacks, and more often than not, have incentives for blood donors like limited quantities of gift cards, sweaters, socks and other fun goodies.
Touching on her personal experience at Red Cross blood drives, Jessica says, “Every donation has been a positive experience. It’s inspiring to see so many strangers come together to help others.”
When asked what the Red Cross means to her, Jessica responds, “To me, the Red Cross represents hope and compassion. It’s an organization that connects people through kindness and service, and I’m proud to be a part of that mission.” Her message to future blood donors is simple and sincere. “If you’re thinking about donating blood, do it. It’s an amazing and rewarding experience that fills your heart with purpose,” she shares.
As you prepare to usher in the new year, consider carving out some time to donate blood with the Red Cross. This heroic act can go a long way and can save more than one life. As Jessica puts it, “taking an hour or two out of your day could keep a family from losing someone they love. That’s an incredible gift to give.”
To find out if you are eligible to donate blood, please click here. To find a local Red Cross blood drive near you, visit RedCrossBlood.org
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