“Sometimes I’ll peruse the newspapers so I can have topics to talk to donors about,” said Jayne, a RCC canteen hostess. “I learn a lot about our donors and love hearing their interesting stories, as they come from all walks of life. Often times I’ll tell donors to come back on a Tuesday to donate. They also love it when I remember a little tidbit about them the next time round.” Just one of the many volunteer opportunities available at BCP, a canteen host keeps an eye on the health and safety of our blood donors after their donation while serving them refreshments.

“I was giving blood one day, saw the canteen hostess and thought I would like to volunteer as one too,” said Jayne, who has four sons and five grandchildren. “RCC felt like a good place to give back and a great way to socialize.”

A dedicated BCP volunteer since 2008, Jayne, who says volunteering is a “no-brainer since one doesn’t need to do homework,” has already donated more than 183 hours of her time!

A San Francisco State graduate, Jayne used to wear several hats before she retired. She was a floral designer for 20 years with her own business, regional coordinator for Canon, a receptionist, and most proudly, a stay-at-home mother looking after her four sons.

Now, she says volunteering gives her personal satisfaction. “This is a great way to give back if one can’t donate money,” said Jayne. “What more can you ask for? Blood donors are nice people. And to do something nice for them, it’s one of the best things in life.”

BCP thanks Jayne for all her hours of volunteering and great conversations with our donors! Thank you!

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!