Donor Stories
December 16, 2020 at 7:56 am
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
In late 2016, Megan Fernandez’s grandfather was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer that originates in bone marrow, where blood cells are made. In the process of battling cancer and receiving treatment, it was necessary that her grandfather...
October 29, 2020 at 9:35 am
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
Roughly three weeks before any social distancing regulations were instituted in the Bay Area, back when local COVID-19 cases were few and seemingly contained, Kendra Nash went on a long-anticipated ski trip with 11 of her close friends. What was...
October 28, 2020 at 10:17 am
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
At just 19 years old, Julie Cruzal’s world was shaken when, for the first time that she could remember, it was her own hero — her mom — who needed saving. On that fateful day, Julie witnessed the terrifying consequences...
October 13, 2020 at 11:54 am
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
John Tallarida has been an active and passionate blood donor for most of his adult life. When John was only about nine years old, his father was hit by a tractor rig in a devastating accident, after which the doctors...
September 29, 2020 at 8:05 am
Published by Ross Coyle, SBC Public Relations Officer
This summer, Stanford Blood Center (SBC) and LifeServe Blood Center brought together two very special heroes. Shanti Minkstein, a photographer from San Francisco, California, and Lance Becker, a banker from Des Moines, Iowa, joined a Zoom call to discuss their...
August 26, 2020 at 10:40 am
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
As a pilot, Robert Jendrey is always on the go. And while typically having the ability to travel around the world is considered a great luxury, when the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy and suspicion of global transmission was...
August 13, 2020 at 5:30 am
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
In early March, COVID-19, while present in San Mateo County, was still reported to be a low health risk to the general public. In fact, the first case of unknown origin in the county had just been identified March 2....
June 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
If you’re a regular at our South Bay Center, you may know one of our dedicated platelet donors, Chuck Fannin. Standing at 6’10” and wearing bright pink high-top basketball shoes, Chuck never misses an opportunity to give his three bags...
May 21, 2020 at 8:59 am
Published by Krista Thomas | Communications Strategist
Battalion Chief Joe Novelli has been a firefighter in San Mateo county for roughly 33 years. Having worked through many dangerous fires and emergency situations, Joe is no stranger to saving lives of individuals in the community. Now, after becoming...
May 6, 2020 at 10:30 am
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Rick Singer, guest blogger and COVID-19 convalescent plasma donor I know we’re all feeling it. I know we’re all cooped up, messed up and uptight. But I am also painfully aware that, as worn out as we all are...