Going the Extra Mile

The saying goes, “Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.” And Bob Abeling does exactly that, if not more. Not because it has anything to do with measurements or his trade as a carpenter, but because he believes in going above and beyond for the cause of blood donation.

“About 3 percent of the parishioners donate blood,” said Bob, blood drive coordinator at Our Lady of Loretto Church, Novato, and a carpenter for the City and County of San Francisco before his retirement. “I want 10 percent and more!”

According to BCP Account Representative Jeanne Nielsen, Our Lady of Loretto Church has been hosting blood drives since 2001. “Bob took over on behalf of the Knights of Columbus in April 2006,” said Jeanne. “He does an amazing job and hosts five to six blood drives a year, averaging about 40 pints at each drive.”

Even though 917 pints of blood have been donated since he became blood drive coordinator, Bob continues to be relentless in his efforts to save even more lives. “You’ve got to make those phone calls to push a little, but not too much,” said the 73-year-old, who was also a blood drive coordinator at San Francisco General Hospital when he worked there from the 1970s through the 90s. “Ask them to bring their friend, neighbor or coworker to the next blood drive.”

To garner more donors, Bob gets prizes donated such as savings bonds and gift certificates or other gifts to raffle off.  On top of that, he also enlists the help of volunteers to call past donors to encourage them to give the gift of life at the next blood drive. Bob also organized a donor appreciation lunch in May for donors who reached at least 25 donations.

In addition to being a blood hero, Bob—married for 50 years with two kids and eight grandchildren—also volunteers at the Indian Valley Associates, a homeowners’ organization, and the Marin Chapter of the California Grand Jurors Association as well as the Knights of Columbus.

Thank you Bob Abeling for your outstanding efforts and taking that extra “mile” in helping save lives!

Spotlight’s On: Tim Somera

BCP has many departments and hundreds of employees. Do you know the function of each department? Or the role of many of our staff members? Each month, we’ll spotlight a staff member or department. Last month we interviewed BCP’s Payroll Technician, Sue Cleary. This month, we’d like to introduce you to Tim Somera! 

What’s your job title? And what do you do?
Special Donations Representative, and I assist with autologous, directed, and therapeutic donors. I also provide service to, well, basically, everyone who needs assistance pertaining to accomplishing BCP’s mission statement.

Describe your typical day at the Irwin Center.
A typical day at BCP would be: (1) following up on phone messages & emails; (2) entering autologous & directed orders into Safetrace; (3) making appointments for autologous, directed, and therapeutic donors and entering them into eDonor; (4) answering calls internally & externally and providing proper assistance to inquiries; (5) tracking autologous and directed orders and ensuring donations are available in time for surgeries, and; (6) following up with the doctor’s office regarding status of donations.

What do you like best/most about your job?
The warm feeling I get at the end of the day knowing I’ve helped others.

What are the challenges?
Coordinating with the doctor’s office and making sure orders are complete. Also, scheduling donations within the time-frame allotted and having them sent to their destination in a timely manner.

How do you overcome them?
By following through, whether rain or shine.

How long have you worked at BCP?
Nine years in June!

Thank you Tim for your hard work and dedication to the lifesaving cause of blood donation!