Success With Purpose: Melissa Jones

Melissa Jones is an account manager on our biomedical team who has seen success building her territory and increasing blood collection to help patient need. She joined our team 7 years ago. “It’s the perfect fit. I get to be competitive and collect as much blood as I can and at the same time, you are directly helping people. Which is one of the things I love most about working with Red Cross,” Melissa said.

The account management team has strong bonds. “I don’t know where I would be without my coworkers,” said Melissa. “We share parenting tips. We share stories. It’s so good to have team members you can go to for anything… They are more than willing to step up and help you. They don’t want anything in return. Everyone does it from the good of their heart and they want to see you do well. We try to bring each other up all the time.”

Melissa’s career is personal, as she has had loved ones who needed blood transfusions to survive. Her dad passed away from leukemia in 1996. “I think he had received about 14 units of blood in treatment. Once I started with Red Cross, my mom went back and found the information,” she said. Melissa’s niece had open heart surgery in January. “Her blood was not pumping right. Her artery was in the wrong chamber of her heart; they had to move the artery into the correct chamber. You’re talking about a 6-hour long procedure. When she was recovering, they automatically gave her platelets. They wouldn’t have done the surgery without platelets being available on the shelves,” Melissa explained.

Her niece is a perfect example of why whole blood transfusions can be better than platelet transfusions during certain major surgeries. “About 5 hours post operation, her blood pressure dropped, and she got really pale. They were afraid she would need a [whole blood] transfusion… That probably wouldn’t have happened if she had a little bit more red blood cells. It would have saved the trauma of the situation. Those monitors start beeping, and everyone comes rushing in the room and you’re panicking,” Melissa explained. Her niece is doing remarkable and better than anyone expected.

One of her favorite blood drives to manage is with a Girl Scout troop in Georgetown, Indiana. “They call themselves the leukemia warriors. We do the drive every November,” she said. Two parents are battling leukemia, and the troop hosts the blood drive in their honor. “Obviously, that’s near and dear to my heart due to everything with my dad. The girls are great to work with,” said Melissa.

Melissa discussed seeing women in leadership and how it’s inspired her. Since she was a little girl, her idol has been Abby Wambach, USA soccer icon, Olympian, activist, and author. Melissa is awed by Abby’s ability to not take no for an answer. “Her consistency is key for so many women. Just because one door closes, it doesn’t mean it’s over. Look for other doors. She’s done that every time. She’s continued her success on her own. She’s looked for her own doors.”

Melissa is married to Zach, and they have two children, Max and Lucy. They enjoy spending time outside on their family homestead. They raise chickens, ducks, and turkeys. The kids love tending to their garden and playing with the animals.