The American Red Cross needs special volunteers to deliver blood products to hospitals in Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey and provide the vital link between blood donors and patients who need blood products.
Volunteers in the blood transportation specialist position have two important assignments — to transport blood from our blood collection sites throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to our lab in Philadelphia for testing and processing, and to deliver blood products from our lab to hospitals in the area using a Red Cross-owned vehicle.
“It only takes a few hours each week to have an impact on someone’s life. When you join us as a member of our Blood Transportation Team, you’ll serve as a critical link in getting blood donations to those who need them,” said Helen Munizza, Penn Jersey regional donor services executive. “Training is free, but the blood you deliver is priceless.”
WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
These crucial volunteers will be asked to fill two to four shifts in their region each month, with the assignment usually taking about four hours to complete. The need for these transports may be scheduled during the day, in the evening and on weekends.
If you have a valid state driver’s license and at least 3 years of licensed driving experience, you can choose regular routes, stand-by emergency deliveries or both. This is a great volunteer opportunity for couples, friends or family members to do together. Volunteers should be familiar with the area and be able to lift as much as 45 pounds. Training is provided by the Red Cross. Blood transportation specialists can schedule their own hours while helping patients in need.
“I love driving, love being busy,” shares David Brown, a retired U.S. Navy pilot, who volunteers to drive blood from the Red Cross blood center in Philadelphia to hospitals almost daily. He finds this volunteer opportunity “super flexible,” as he is able to choose the schedule that works for him. His favorite part about this role is knowing that he’s helping to save lives. “Sometimes you walk into a hospital, and someone is standing waiting for that box of blood.”
If helping hospital patients who need blood and blood products during their battle back to health is of interest to you, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday for more information.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
