Blood Donor Highlight: Malisa and Stephen

Stephen and Malisa have been making Power Red donations together every four months since they got married. Malisa began donating blood after she married Stephen, while Stephen began donating in high school.

"We come [donate] together,” said Malisa. “It’s our date day.”

Power Red donations are similar to whole blood donations, except a special machine is used to allow donors to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning their plasma and platelets.

Stephen’s blood type is O+. When asked why he donates, he replied “The need is there. I’ve had parents, grandparents in hospitals. The need is high.”

Malisa has type B- blood—a rarer blood type—and donates because she wants to help others.

“It’s quick and easy to do something small,” Malisa said. “I don’t consider it big, but someone else will.”

As of September ‘21, Stephen has donated 64 units of blood, and Malisa has donated 18 units since she started using the Red Cross Blood Donor app to track her donations.

The Red Cross national blood inventory is the lowest it’s been at this time of year since 2015. There’s an immediate need for blood donations, especially type O, as well as platelets to help overcome an emergency shortage. If you’re feeling well, please roll up a sleeve and donate. Sign up at rcblood.org/donate.