National Volunteer Week - Annaliese & Bill Griffin

Annaliese and Bill Griffin

The following is from a 2010 interview with volunteer Annaliese Griffin. Annaliese has now been volunteering at the American Red Cross for 29 years, and her husband Bill for 25 years. WDRB recently ran a special segment on Annaliese’s past as a volunteer and German immigrant with Anchor David Scott. He learned about Annaliese’s story through his years donating at the American Red Cross East End Blood Donor Center.  

Red Cross “Hugger” gives blood donors gift from the heart

Annaliese & Bill Griffin

I will be volunteering with the Red Cross for 25 years this summer and for Bill it will be 21 years. Soon after I came to America, Bill’s mother was seriously ill and dying. The doctor only gave her a few days to live and her only wish during this time was to see her youngest son, who was deployed in Germany during WWII, one last time. I was telling my neighbor this story and I didn’t know then that he was a high-ranking employee with the American Red Cross.

He was able to call Washington and get my brother-in-law home in just 24 hours to see his mother and spend that time with our family. We were so appreciative of what the Red Cross did for us then. That’s why we volunteer with the Red Cross now.

I (Annaliese) started with WSYL (We Speak Your Language) as a German translator and then Bill and I were disaster volunteers and helped out at other big American Red Cross events like the golf scramble and the Gatsby Ball. Now we volunteer at the bloodmobiles and the Donoramas, and I volunteer about twice a week at the East End fixed site. I work in the refreshment area and Bill works as the greeter.

To register to become a Red Cross volunteer and to see Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your area, visit redcross.org/volunteer.

From Mother to Daughter - Brenda Bliss

Brenda Bliss accepts the Bill Hartz Volunteer of the Year Award for Blood Services at the 2011 Red Cross Volunteer Recognition Luncheon.

When Brenda Bliss is out and about in her local community of Harrison County Indiana, she often runs into people who want to share the fond memories they have of her mother.

“If the community needed something, she was there,” Brenda said of her mother, Savilla Bliss who was a 4H Leader and an active member of the church. Savilla was also a Red Cross volunteer for 43 years, serving as the Harrison County Bloodmobile Coordinator. Her dedication to the organization earned her the Virginia T. Keeney Volunteer of the Year Award for Humanitarian Services in 1996.

In 1995, Savilla was diagnosed with leukemia. While undergoing acute leukemia treatments, she used more than 50 pints of blood and 110 pints of platelets over 11 months. She was unable to overcome the cancer. Still, Brenda says, she and her family learned the importance of blood and platelet donations.

“When any of us can give, we do,” said Brenda who also has a brother that has been on the receiving end of blood donations due to cancer. “We appreciate the fact that the blood is there when we need it.”

The constant need for blood donors and volunteers inspired Brenda to take over her mom’s job of scheduling volunteers for blood drives and bloodmobiles. While that remains her chief role at the Red Cross, Brenda also works many blood drives to help register donors and occasionally assists neighboring Crawford County with volunteer schedules.

“About the only time you don’t see Brenda at the blood drives is when there are two drives on the same day, and she hasn’t figured out how to be at both places at the same time,” said Buffalo Trace Service Center Manager Karen Cook. “It doesn’t matter what day or what time of day the bloodmobile is scheduled, we can rest assured that Brenda will get the event covered.”

It has now been more than 15 years since Brenda began volunteering, and she has made a name for herself within the organization. In 2011, she received the Louisville Area Chapter’s Bill Hartz Volunteer of the Year Award for Blood Services. She was surprised by the honor since she knows there are many others that dedicate their time to helping the Red Cross collect blood and deliver other humanitarian services.

“I think the Red Cross is a wonderful organization that helps people in many ways,” Brenda said. “Few organizations cover the same spectrum of services.”

“What keeps me volunteering is knowing that somebody always needs something that I can help provide. The Red Cross has always been there for everybody that I know, so I like to be there for it.”

First time blood donor

You know that feeling you get when you've done something good? It's like nothing anyone says or does can set you off in the wrong way, not quite walking on air, but there is that added jump and maybe even the hint of a smile for the rest of the day. That is exactly how I felt today after I donated blood for the first time.

Having been at the Red Cross for over a year now, my blood donation was long overdue, but that didn't make me any less nervous. Luckily, the greeter, canteen worker, and ... blood collector? collections assistant? resident vampire? I'll have to ask for a title next time. They all made me feel at ease with their smiles and friendly dispositions. The warm bowl of chili they served also helped.

After filling out the paperwork and doing a short questionnaire, I was ready to roll up my sleeves. I've heard people tell stories about getting stuck a few times before they find a good vein, so I braced myself for the worst. I barely felt the poke when it was inserted. Actually, the worst part was when she removed the tape holding down the tube. It took my tiny veins a while to fill up the bag, but eventually I had donated my first pint of blood.

It made me feel even better when I learned that there is currently a blood shortage due to blood drive cancellations caused by winter storms across the U.S. If you would like to add a little hop to your step by donating blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment.

Blood+Donation=Saving Lives

Help others like Danny by donating blood today! Stop by the WHAS11 Health and Fitness Expo July 9th and 10th. While there, you can donate blood and visit with our Disaster and Health and Safety departments about training opportunities with the Red Cross.

The Expo is from 10am-5pm both July 9th and 10th at the Kentucky International Convention Center in downtown Louisville.

Every Two Seconds

Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, but only 8 percent of eligible donors take the time to give. Becoming a blood donor is simple, and the process takes only an hour of your time. Just think, setting aside one hour of your schedule to donate blood could save up to three lives. And after 56 days your body's red blood cell count will be replenished and you can donate again.

To schedule a blood donation appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org.