Gina and Mia Roth
Gina Roth is a blood drive coordinator at Charles Schwab and her daughter, Mia Roth, is a senior in high school who recently hosted a Student Leader Scholarship Program with Vitalant. 
Gina started donating blood almost 30 years ago when her Dad was in the hospital on and off for several years. She would visit him and then afterward would go to the basement of the hospital to donate blood. If she hadn't experienced a sick parent while in her early 20s, she might not have had the awareness of the need for blood donations or have started her blood donation journey at a young age.
“When I started my career at Charles Schwab almost 25 years ago, an opportunity to become the blood drive liaison came up and I jumped on it," Gina said. "Because of my experience with a sick parent, I was aware of how important the need for blood donation was and wanted give back to my community not only by donating myself but by organizing onsite blood drives, making it easy for my coworkers to donate but also by bringing awareness to the importance of blood donations.
"Over the years, I took for granted how easy the blood drives had become to organize 4-5 times a year. Then the pandemic hit! During the pandemic when most of our employees were working remotely and we had to pause offering our onsite blood drives, it was heartbreaking because there was still such a strong need for blood donations. I am so happy that we have been able to resume our onsite blood drives. I was even more elated when I learned about the Student Leader Scholarship Program.
"My daughter is a very kind-hearted teenager who has always had a desire to help others. Between the ages of 10-15 she made fleece tie blankets to donate to Children’s Hospital. Since her first job at the age of 15, she has been purchasing supplies to make 'blessing bags' to hand out to unhoused people. She is a senior in high school, and was quite excited to hear she could help her community in another capacity through the Student Leadership Scholarship Program.
"It seemed like a natural fit for her to follow in my footsteps to encourage blood donations, since over the years she had heard me passionately talk about my involvement in the Charles Schwab onsite blood drives and the impact the drives have on the community. Being able to spread the word to family and friends to support her efforts through the Student Leader Scholarship Program was both easy and convenient. The results have been satisfying to her knowing she is making a difference in the community while also earning money for college,” Gina said. 
“It is a win-win for me and the community. I raised money to go toward my future education and the blood supply is now greater for people who need surgery,” Mia Roth added.
Thank you Gina and Mia for passing down the tradition of donating blood in your family.
Liz Stewart
Liz has been a Vitalant blood drive coordinator for over 50 years! Like clockwork, she organizes a blood drive for members of her community every other month. From the city hall to a church to the American Legion, 
the location has changed over the years, but her passion is steady as ever.
“My husband used to get upset with me because I would plan vacations around the blood drive. He came first, don’t get me wrong, but the blood drive was up there, because it is important. I don’t consider myself special. This is something I believe in. This is something I can do…for people who need it, that you can’t buy,” Liz said.
Bobby Ballard
Some say it starts wi
th heart and Airman Bobby Ballard at Ellsworth Airforce Base has one of the biggest hearts there is! Bobby loves helping whenever and wherever he can and blood drives on base are no exception. He coordinates 3 drives a year for his squadron but rest assured if another squadron needs help with theirs, he’ll be the first to volunteer! Since becoming a coordinator, his blood drives have grown tremendously which in turn means so many lives have been saved.
“Bobby is one of the most amazing coordinators I get to work with. We can always count on him to fill the room with donors and be one of the first to roll up his sleeves to donate -- usually a Power Red! His dedication as a donor and a coordinator is unmatched!” said Vitalant Sr. Account Manager Jessica Pierce.
Joe Burmeister
Joe is a staple in his small community -- the guy that does for others unconditionally and without recognition. Joe is a loyal blood donor, donating whenever he can.
Joe is one of our amazing blood drive coordinators with Vitalant, coordinating community blood drives throughout the year.
He coordinates a 9/11 blood drive every September to honor our fallen soldiers and does a Good Friday blood drive every Easter holiday to support the need for blood over the holiday weekend. His famous 
blood drive “Drops of Life” is one of our largest blood drives in the area each year. To date Joe has collected 1,769 lifesaving units of blood for area patients and area hospitals.
Joe’s first blood drive in 2015 was an effort to get his employees to donate as a response to the need in our community. From there, he has a long list of followers now that include employees, community members, family and friends who all support his blood drives.
Joe also is a coach to many in his community in different ways. He’s a sports coach for softball and has done this for years for our youth. He’s a personal coach helping the homeless in our community find resources when other avenues have failed. He’s a Special Olympics coach for athletes with special needs and does fundraisers throughout the year to support these athletes to be the very best they can be. He’s a coach for a non-profit group in the area that raises money to place wreaths on the grave sites of our fallen soldiers at our national cemetery for Christmas.
Joe is our local hero. His huge heart, desire to give back, and commitment to coordinating blood drives is one to admire for all!
Steven Kniffen
Steven is the owner of the Sea Chest Restaurant in Cambria, CA. He started hosting blood drives after 9/11 to honor those who have fallen while protecting our country. He closes his restaurant to conduct his blood drive and offers blood donors clam chowder, salad and cake as a thank-you for their donation. 
His kind heart and delicious clam chowder is beyond memorable, and we are so lucky to have as a blood drive coordinator. Steven also had a great sense of humor and has developed creative ways to spread the word about his blood drives. Check out one of his creative Instagram reels. It’s sure to put a smile on your face.
Ana Hernandez
Ana Hernandez is sales manager for restaurant Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse in Thousand Oaks, CA. In August of 2024 she organized the restaurant’s first blood drive. This fun blood drive collected 32 pints of lifesaving blood. The restaurant provided yummy fruit and bread and gave a $25 discount card to all donors!
“It was an absolute pleasure for Fogo de Chao to help coordinate and host with Vitalant and be part of a community incentive to help bring blood donors. We look forward to the next blood drive,” Ana said.
Thank you, Ana, we look forward to saving more lives with you!