Western New York Region

"It was a chain-reaction:" How blood donation led a local health care advocate to support Sickle Cell warriors in need

From a young age, Jasmine Westbrook understood the importanceof blood donation.

“The first time I was introduced to donating blood I was inhigh school. We had a drive, but you know, when you’re in high school, youdon’t have the best diet – especially breakfast. You’re not eating right, so amajority of us, myself included, couldn’t donate,” she laughed. “I initiallydonated blood about 10 years ago in college during a drive and I was a littlebit more educated on having a balanced meal the night before and before thedonation.”

"We've been together ever since": Red Crossers find love & laughter at local blood drive

When Tony Addotta first signed on to volunteer with the American Red Cross of Western New York, the retired truck driver was lookingfor something new to utilize his talents. Little did he know that his newvolunteer role with the Red Cross would also lead him to the love of his life.

“Itwas my first volunteer position. Channel 17 had a volunteer fair. I wentdowntown and there were a lot of different tables. The Red Cross had a sign intable, and I guess five people signed up and I was the only one who showed upthe next Monday. Shawn O’Hargan [RegionalMarket Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services] had her pastriesand stuff like that, so I started driving with blood services and you know, itwas nice. I was retired, so I was just playing golf and taking naps.”

Seated next to him on a sunny afternoon, Nancy Despard laughed.“Oh, he’s good at naps!”

That was nearly 17 years ago. Roughly one year after Tony signed on as a volunteer, Nancy found herself in a similar position.

“I actually saw it in the paper to volunteer,” she explains.“My parents were actually blood donor ambassadors here and then they moved toMyrtle Beach and did it down there, too. I thought, ‘Oh Mom and Dad did this,so I can do it, too.’  Then we met at ablood drive.”