Feature Friday: Virginia Smiley

Back in 2006, Virginia Smiley’s daughter was told her mom wouldn’t survive long enough to get to the hospital. “It was scary, they didn’t know why I was losing so much blood. I have AB- and the hospital didn’t think they would have enough of my blood type. They contacted St. Louis to fly blood in for me,” reflected Virginia. Her blood count dropped dangerously to 3.8 and she received 5 and a half units of blood.

Photos courtesy Virginia Smiley.

Now Virginia is the Red Cross Blood Program Leader for the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) in Brandenburg, Kentucky. “I’ve been doing this for at least 15 plus years,” said Virginia. “There’s been a few times that we have done a blood drive in memory or in honor of someone. One time we had 4 [blood buses] in front of our VFW. We had over 100 donors that day.” Virginia noted that you must know your people, talk with them, and make them feel welcome. She loves hosting blood drives.

With high expectations, Brandenburg VFW expects to collect 50-60 pints of blood at each Red Cross drive. “Our smallest blood drive collected 44. We thought that was bad!” expressed Virginia. She’s a key member of the VFW in Brandenburg, attending meetings since it’s conception in 1991. “I love doing work for the veterans. We are proud of our building. We have had our own building since 2000.”

Virginia became involved with the VFW through her husband and brother who served overseas. Now, it’s a family affair. “I’ve got a grandson, he’s like me. He would do anything for the veterans. My daughter, she works the monthly veteran’s breakfast- she’s there at 5AM on a Saturday to volunteer,” said Virginia. She and her husband, Ray, have 3 kids: Renee, Bobby, and Paula.

Virginia with fellow VFW members.

Virginia is also a member of the Meade County Homemakers Society, and she says volunteering is just the thing to do. The Meade County local TV, newspaper, and radio station assist with getting the word out to the community about the need for blood. The blood drives are long days, but her volunteer team enjoys the sense of community. “We get there at 10:30am and when the night is over, you are not tired. Because you feel good. You have helped in some way.”

We are grateful for Virginia’s volunteer work to forward our mission! Thanks to the generosity of blood donors, Virginia is still with us today, making a difference in her community. Learn how to become a Blood Program Leader by going to redcross.org/volunteer.