Tag Archives: Bay Area

Leading Communities of Women: Amy Dornbusch’s Philanthropy with the Red Cross 

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In the philanthropic community, women are increasingly shaping how we champion impact, and Amy Dornbusch stands at the forefront of this movement. With a distinguished career in startup investments and having held numerous board positions, Dornbusch brings a unique blend of strategic business planning and deep empathy to her initiatives. Her years of dedicated philanthropy eventually led her to the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle, where she continues to inspire other women to collectively give and mobilize the vital work of our organization. 

Amy Dornbusch shows off her red bandage following her blood donation, which she made prior to attending the 30th Anniversary Red Cross Gala.

The Tiffany Circle is a community within the Red Cross composed of women leaders that have made a commitment to advancing the organization’s mission together through women empowerment and focused investment of time and funds. With economists projecting that roughly $30 trillion will move into women’s hands over the next few years, Dornbusch observes that the impending great wealth transfer places women in an integral position to make significant impacts through their philanthropic work, emphasizing the importance of the Tiffany Circle as a key mechanism for engaging donors. 

“We talk a lot about this ‘fight or flight or freeze’ response to crises, but I heard there’s another reaction, which is what women do in moments of crises: flight, freeze, and flock,” Dornbusch said.

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Melody Yamaguchi’s lifelong service to the Red Cross mission 

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For many people, donating blood to the American Red Cross is not just a single act but a lifelong commitment to the humanitarian mission. Melody Yamaguchi is one of the super donors that has been donating blood since she was 18 years old, after getting inspired by her older sister. Through the changes and challenges in Melody’s life, she always found her way back to serving the mission of the Red Cross.  

Melody’s smile shines through a lifetime of change and challenges.

“During my cancer imaging, surgeries and radiation, my children and I were scared. All my energy went into supporting my children and finding my courage within.”

“I’m not an exceptional person, but through Red Cross blood donation, I’ve had the ability to do something extraordinary.”

–Melody Yamaguchi

Melody embraces the moment in her youth with a timeless look.
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One woman’s road to blood donation supporter begins with a 30-person carpool

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When newlywed Mary Nelson, her husband and about 30 friends met in a Bay Area parking lot one Saturday morning in 1969 to carpool to a blood donation center, little did she know it would lead to a life-long journey dedicated to donating blood.  That journey has provided her with a deep, personal belief in the power of donating.

Mary’s story starts at a popular diner in Alameda, California which Mary and her husband frequented weekly.  One day, they discovered that the diner’s well-liked chef needed emergency kidney surgery.  He required almost 10 pints of blood.  As Mary explains, the chef “had to either pay for the blood or replace it, two pints donated for each used.  So, we got organized.  My husband called the blood bank to see if they did group appointments and scheduled a Saturday. And the bar put up a signup sheet.”

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Your Blood Saves Lives: Become an American Red Cross Blood Donor Today

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Hi!  My name is Brad Warren, and I’m a volunteer with the Red Cross here in Alameda County, California.  Technically, I’m called a Blood Services Community Outreach Specialist, which is a fancy title that means I give free talks to the public on the urgent need for more blood donors.  I’m also a Public Affairs spokesperson, as well as trained to be a Disaster Cycle Services shelter worker to deploy wherever I might be needed to help staff a shelter in times of an emergency, such as a flood, earthquake, fire, etc.  But today I want to focus on why and how to become a donor, because “Ve Vant Your Blood!”

Brad donating blood in the San Leandro office

Before I go any further, let me briefly explain how I became a volunteer.  I’m a former business coach, speaker and trainer, and after a 40+ year career, I semi-retired and found myself with a lot of time on my hands.  So, I called my local Red Cross office and said I wanted to volunteer, and that my best skill was as a public speaker.  And guess what?  They told me there wasn’t any such position available!  Well, being a rather assertive person (just ask my wife), I asked to speak to someone further up the corporate ladder.  To make a very long story very short, two weeks later they called me back. They said, “Brad, we’ve created a new position just for you called a Community Outreach Specialist” and so began my volunteer work doing speaking engagements with the express purpose of getting more people to roll up their sleeves and donate.

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“I believe in the mission of saving lives”

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By Alex Keilty

Photo by Alex Keilty – American Red Cross

Meet Alvin Ehiriodo, American Red Cross blood donor, former volunteer and current employee. When it comes to the Red Cross, Alvin has done it all!

“I believe in the mission [of saving lives],” Alvin says of his commitment to the Red Cross. “I want to work for an organization that cares about the work they do.”

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One Baby’s Journey: Saving a 10-month-old’s life

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Photo courtesy of Sophia Eckert

Sophia Eckert’s first experience donating platelets with the American Red Cross in January 2025 was an emotional experience. Sophia looked around at the frequent donors who, according to the phlebotomist, came weekly to give platelets and she started to think about her two-year old son Roger. “That made me tear up,” Sophia said, “thinking Roger might have used their blood product to save his life.”

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