President’s Welcome

by Nora Hirschler, MD, President of BCP, Marin Resident and Foreign Film Buff

Welcome to BCP’s blog!

By training, I’m a pathologist.  I’ve long been interested in blood and also fascinated by the power of this amazing substance to heal and even save lives.  And there’s no substitute for it.  It’s incredible that something our own bodies produce can work to heal another.  I can remember being in medical school (I won’t tell you how long ago) and watching my first blood transfusion.  The patient had a serious blood disorder and required regular transfusions of red blood cells to survive.  Within minutes of receiving that transfusion, you could see the color returning to her face, her stats getting stronger and her prognosis improved.  It truly was amazing.

I feel so fortunate to be a part of Blood Centers of the Pacific, an organization that has been dedicated to helping save lives for more than 65 years! In fact, BCP was the very first blood center in the nation, opening its doors in June of 1941. Back then, transfusions, if attempted at all, could only be done with the donor and the patient lying side by side. Can you imagine what that was like?

We’ve come a long way since then.

I’m very proud of the work we do here at BCP but most of all, I’m proud to know so many Everyday Heroes - our blood donors. All different kinds of people, rolling up their sleeves (literally) to truly make a difference in the lives of others.

Are you one of these Everyday Heroes?

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