Every year, the Red Cross Cascades Region collects about 182,000 units of blood from our generous donors. But, that is just the first step in the process. We rely on dedicated volunteers to deliver this blood to the 65 hospitals we support. They work every day and drive all hours of the day and night to provide this critical blood need. Thank you from the entire region.

Here’s one of our incredible transportation volunteers, Phil Hunt, in his own words:

“Five years ago today I drove my first shift for the Red Cross. Covid was raging and as a frequent platelet donor I was unable to find slots to donate due to the pandemic. I had seen signs around the building saying they always needed drivers so I called up Transportation and offered my services.

Since that fateful day I’ve driven all over the Pacific Northwest in ARC vehicles picking up blood from drives and delivering to hospitals. I’ve gone as far north as Seattle, as far South as Medford, as far east as Condon, and many many trips to the Pacific Ocean which kept me from going further west. I’ve visited so many towns and places I never knew existed such as Cathlamet, Hoquiam, Raymond, Dufur, and Toledo Washington and Toledo Oregon.

I’ve driven 141 days to 138 blood drives and 22 hospital deliveries through sunny summer days, cold rainy nights, forest fires and winter ice and snowstorms. I’ve logged over 32,000 miles – more than driving around the Earth. And I managed to donate platelets another 98 times for good measure.

Let’s see what the next five years brings!”