What inspires you to donate?  Many times, when you ask someone this, they have a specific person in mind.  It could be a parent who died years ago.  It could be for someone who survived a traumatic accident.  The people of the city of Redmond have found their inspiration, but it has come with great pain. 

Beloved fire fighter Michael Kienzle recently lost his long fight with cancer.  During his battle, Redmond Fire & Rescue hosted three blood drives, each collecting close to 30 blood donations each.

In 2026, that drive, became a memorial drive. On Friday, July 24, dozens of people showed up to donate once again.   

Deputy Chief Redmond Fire & Rescue, Dustin Miller, sums it up this way:

 “Blood donations save lives every day, and they are especially important for patients battling leukemia and other forms of cancer, who often rely on blood and platelet transfusions throughout their treatment. We see firsthand how critical these lifesaving resources can be. Hosting this blood drive is another way Redmond Fire & Rescue can honor Michael Kienzle’s service while we assist our community outside of emergency response. We encourage everyone who is able to donate and help make a meaningful difference in someone’s fight.”

Michael Kienzle began his career in Corvallis, OR—initially as a volunteer before becoming a professional firefighter in 2019. He joined the ranks of Redmond Fire & Rescue in 2024 and quickly became a valued member of the team. A dedicated husband and father, Michael, was also passionate about mentoring young athletes. He made an impression on this community and inspired them to roll up their sleeves. Now’s such an important time to do so.

This comes as the country enters a blood crisis. This is only the second time in the history of the Red Cross that we’ve seen this level of need  A drop in blood donations coupled with a higher demand for blood at hospitals have really strained the supply.  This has been compounded by extreme heat, wildfires, poor air quality, and flooding across the country, hindering the ability for people to donate.    

Trauma patients, moms with difficult pregnancies, and medical patients, like Kienzle, all need your blood NOW.  Blood cannot be manufactured and it has a limited shelf life.   All blood types are encouraged but especially type O blood, which is the most common type used in hospitals and platelets, which are also in high demand, largely for cancer patients.  

If you can help, please go to RedCrossBlood.org, download our free Red Cross blood donation app or call 1-800-RED-CROSS and make an appointment.