By Steve Medina, Red Cross Volunteer
Every day, countless people give their time and talent to ensure lifesaving blood gets to those who need it most. Many of them work behind the scenes to ensure that hospitals are ready for emergencies and families have hope when seconds count. Jennie Griggs is one of those people.
A nurse for 37 years, Jennie has spent the last nine years supervising her local Red Cross Biomedical Services team by guiding teams, coordinating operations and supporting donors with calm expertise. Her work is driven not only by professional dedication, but by something deeply personal. Her son lives with a rare form of cancer that affects only 5 to 6 people per million in the United States each year — a constant reminder of how essential donated blood is for patients facing the toughest moments of their lives.
Jennie’s understanding of the power of blood donation goes back to her early days in labor and delivery. She witnessed firsthand how quickly complications can turn critical and how blood transfusions often make the difference between life and loss. “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood,” she said, underscoring the urgency and the quiet heroism behind every donation.
Her commitment to service didn’t begin in a hospital. It began generations earlier with her great‑grandmother, who lost her husband in World War I during the Battle of Ypres. Left to raise four children alone, she worked multiple jobs and still made time to donate to the Canadian Red Cross. That example of strength and generosity shaped Jennie’s own path, creating a legacy built not on circumstance but on choice: the choice to give.
That legacy was on full display at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Battle of the Badges Blood Drive, where Jennie supported a team of 12 phlebotomists, greeted donors and prepared the team for a successful day. She spoke openly about the current severe blood shortage, driven by widespread flu cases, severe weather and reduced donor turnout, all contributing to a 35% decline in the national blood supply.
When she talks with first-time donors, she often meets a familiar hesitation: a fear of needles. Luckily, she has watched many of those same people walk away surprised by how simple the process is, and more importantly, eager to return to give “the Gift of Life.”
Jennie’s message to the community is simple and heartfelt: “In a polarized world, we can pause, remember our shared humanity and choose to help one another. Donating blood is one powerful way to do just that.”
A single blood donation can help save more than one life. One act of generosity can ripple far beyond a single moment.
And as Jennie’s story shows, one person’s commitment can inspire generations.
Red Cross Central California Blog 