Different Paths, One Purpose: Meet Three Stanford Blood Center Volunteers
Stanford Blood Center volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing unique experiences, perspectives, and motivations to the donor centers and blood drives each day. Some are longtime healthcare professionals, some are just beginning their careers, and others are inspired by family traditions of giving back. Together, they help create a welcoming experience and warm environment for blood donors.
For Elvira, volunteering is a natural extension of a lifetime spent caring for patients. A former cardiothoracic ICU nurse at Stanford for 40 years, she witnessed firsthand how critical blood products are for patients in need. Although she retired from Stanford in 2021, she continues working part-time as a recovery room nurse while volunteering regularly with SBC.
“I see firsthand how important blood donation is,” Elvira says. “ICU patients use a lot of blood products every day.”
Since joining SBC as a volunteer in 2023, Elvira has enjoyed connecting with donors and sharing stories from her clinical experience. Whether helping in the post-donation area or quickly stepping in if a donor feels unwell, her nursing background allows her to support donors with both compassion and expertise.
Leeanne and Elvira volunteering at a blood drive
For Leeanne, volunteering with SBC is rooted in family inspiration. Her grandfather, who worked at a fire station, often spoke about the importance of blood donation and giving back to the community. Those conversations stayed with her and eventually inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare.
Today, Leeanne works as a medical assistant with Stanford Medicine Partners and volunteers at SBC while also donating blood herself.
“As both a donor and a volunteer, I’m really getting the full picture,” she says.
One of the things she values most about volunteering is the opportunity to connect with donors and fellow volunteers. She especially enjoys hearing stories from longtime blood donors. “Those who have been donating for decades remind me of my grandpa and it’s so inspiring.”
Meanwhile, Kayla, in the featured image above, represents a newer generation of healthcare professionals exploring their path. After completing a phlebotomy program, she began volunteering with SBC to gain experience while searching for her first Certified Phlebotomy Technician position.
What surprised her most was the personal growth that came with volunteering.
“I’m an introverted person, so developing my social skills surprised me,” Kayla says. “People share their life experiences with me, and it’s helped me grow.”
During her donor center shifts, Kayla has found inspiration in conversations with donors who offer career advice, encouragement, and perspective as she navigates her early 20s and plans for the future. Not surprisingly, another favorite part of volunteering for her is sampling the donor center cookies, especially the chocolate cranberry flavor!
While Elvira brings decades of nursing experience, Leeanne continues a family legacy of service, and Kayla is just beginning her healthcare journey, all three volunteers share one thing in common: a commitment to helping others.
Their stories are a reminder that there is no single path to volunteering at Stanford Blood Center. Volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and generations, but together, they help make every blood donation experience meaningful for the donors.