Red Cross Seeks Volunteer Transportation In Alameda County

From the American Red Cross: 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 Northern California Red Cross Blood Services Region delivers blood to 37 hospitals and transfusion centers throughout the region.

“Transporting blood products is an integral part of fulfilling the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross,” said Julie Mucilli, volunteer coordinator, Northern California Red Cross 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 Oakland and include travel around the region. Training and use of Red Cross vehicles will be provided.

Volunteers must meet the following minimum requirements:

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

Those interested in learning more or applying can contact Julie Mucilli at 510-421-4527 or Julie.Mucilli@redcross.org, or visit rdcrss.org/driver.

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