Why I Donate
I’m afraid of needles. I was the kid who had to be pinned down any time my pediatrician gave me a shot. I never considered donating blood and now I can’t imagine ever not doing it. I’ve been both a...
Donor Stories
A Couple’s Journey to 100 Donations
Donating blood has become part of the rhythm of Eileen and Michael Consiglio’s lives, and something they share together. The couple, who regularly donate at our South Bay center, recently reached their 100th whole blood donation, an incredible milestone reflecting...
From Lifelong Donor to Big Game VIP: Tom Scoles’ Story of Giving Back
For nearly five decades, Tom Scoles has been part of the community of donors at Stanford Blood Center. What started as a simple act during high school has grown into a lifelong commitment to helping patients in need. Recently, that...
Breaking Barriers: One Advocate’s Journey to Blood Donation
Growing up in a small rural town in Texas, blood drives at Bláz Bush’s high school were a community event. Students were eager to participate, perhaps because it meant skipping class and enjoying free cookies. But for Bláz, these events...
Honoring Jaime Eredia and His Years of Service as a Blood Drive Coordinator
Since 2007, Jaime Eredia has been the driving force behind the Stanford School of Engineering’s blood drives by organizing and promoting them, and often rolling up his own sleeve to donate. But as Jaime prepares to retire from his role as the...
Beyond the Donor Chair: Eric Steger’s Extraordinary Donation Story
Some people donate blood once or twice in their lives. Others make it a regular habit. And then there’s Eric Steger. His passion for giving has led him to explore a variety of opportunities to help patients in need. From...
From Family Emergency to Lifesaving Mission: My Journey as a Blood and Platelet Donor
My journey as a blood donor began with a personal family emergency. Years ago, my uncle in India needed blood for his heart surgery. I remember feeling apprehensive at first, unsure if I would even be eligible to donate due...
A Heartfelt Commitment: One Donor’s Journey Inspired by Her Father
Amy Malvase hadn’t given much thought to the idea of blood donation until spending time at her dad’s side during his treatment for a gastrointestinal bleed. He struggled with low hemoglobin, requiring several blood transfusions. “There was one time when...
Saving Lives Through Simple Acts: Annie Shiau’s Blood Donor Story
Annie Shiau’s journey as a blood donor began when she was just 16 as an American living overseas in Taipei. Back then, she would often pass by the bloodmobiles and feel a pull to help, but because she wasn’t a...
Generations of Gratitude: The Lifesaving Impact of Blood Donation on My Family
Many of our donors have a personal motivation behind donating blood. Julie Fogarty, from a closely connected family with a unique medical history, exemplifies this. Here, she recounts her family’s enduring struggle with leukemia, spanning three generations, and her deep...