Story by Caitlin Cox

Many blood donors are proud of their donations for various reasons, and my parents are two of those donors who are really proud. Tracy Cox and Susan Smithcamp-Cox are long time blood donors and have shown me as their daughter, Caitlin, that I too can give back to the community by being part of the American Red Cross.

When I was quite young, I started going with my dad to Delta Blood Bank in Turlock which later became a Red Cross Donation Center. When I would go with him, I would always work on a puzzle while he was giving blood.

My dad’s first donation was in 1986, in Fresno (Calif.). He started donating after his nephew had an accident and ended up requiring blood transfusions. Since then, he has donated 48 units of blood to date. He is always willing to give blood when needed and when it fits with his schedule.
My dad has always been thrilled about being a blood donor, and he does it because he wants to make a difference in the community. He believes that it is a very easy and painless process.
“It always makes me feel good after I donate. Just the feeling that I helped somebody for such a simple thing. It also doesn’t hurt!” he says.

My mom, Susan, has a different story, but she is also proud to be a blood donor with the Red Cross. She started donating around 2005 because there was a blood drive happening at her work. She was motivated to help with the ongoing blood shortage. Unlike my dad, she has not donated in honor of someone important to her, but she donates to help the kids and other people in need. She feels that the donation process is a rewarding experience.

My mom tries to donate every two or three months when time allows. When asked what she would share with someone donating for the first time, she says, “It’s easy, and the staff is very friendly. I think it’s a great experience for anyone to donate with the Red Cross.”

I am also giving back something to the community but in a different way. I feel just as great as my parents with being a Blood Donor Ambassador and writing stories for the regional blog with the Communications Team.

Even though I am just starting my journey with the Red Cross, I can already feel the impact that I am having on the donors who come to the Turlock Donation Center and see me and my service dog, Fritz. We make them so happy!

On the other hand, writing stories for the Red Cross will give me the chance to show how this organization means so much for so many people, how we help them in different ways and how we’ve been there for them when they need it most.

This is a brief glimpse of how my family -the Cox Family- is committed to contribute with the Red Cross mission. It feels great to be part of this organization. It’s an amazing way to give back something to our community. We are proud to be Red Crossers!