Deliver lifesaving blood products to patients in need Red Cross seeks volunteer transportation specialists

May 12, 2016 — Every two seconds a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. As the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals in the U.S., the American Red Cross is seeking volunteer transportation specialists to help deliver lifesaving blood products to hospitals for patients in need.
Transportation specialists help ensure that blood products are available when and where they are needed for patients with serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood or platelets. The Red Cross Southern Blood Services Region provides blood deliveries to about 100 hospitals and transfusion centers throughout the region.
“Transporting blood products is an integral part of fulfilling the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross,” said Diamond Lesane, Red Cross volunteer manager for the Southern Blood Services Region. “If driving and providing exemplary customer service is something you enjoy, we want to hear from you.”
Volunteer shifts will originate in Albany, Douglasville and Savannah and include travel around the region. Training and use of Red Cross vehicles will be provided.
Volunteers must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Have a valid driver’s license with a minimum of three years driving experience
2. Be able to verify a safe driving record with insurance
3. Be able to lift boxes of lifesaving blood products of up to 45 pounds for hospital deliveries
4. Be available to volunteer for two to four shifts per month (flexible schedules available)

Those interested in learning more or applying can call 404-987-4950, 770-852-4110 or begin the application process online.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.