Community Corner
Gift of Life Inspires Mother and Son
The Belangers center their careers around blood donation drives at the Stanford Blood Center, years after a blood transfusion saved the son's life.
A Milpitas woman's career took a new direction when her young son had a blood disorder and she learned the importance of blood donations. Years later, mother and son—Sue and Geoff Belanger —both work for the Stanford Blood Center, she as a registered nurse in charge of all the mobile drives, and he as a donor services manager.
The Belangers are natives of Milpitas, and they are passionate about the importance of donating blood.
“In Silicon Valley, only 1 percent donate blood," Sue Belanger said. "That’s a very small amount. The problem is, you can’t make blood. It really is the gift of life.”
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Geoff was born with a congenital blood disorder called Diamond Blackfansyndrome. Sue started donating blood when he needed transfusions, and she continued even after his transfusions were done.
Years later, fresh out of college, Geoff said, he needed a job and took a position with his mom. She'd gone into the medical field when he was sick, and then she went to work at the Stanford Blood Center.
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“My history and connection to the center convinced me to stay,” Geoff said. He's been there seven years now.
At first, the mother and son worked in one of the mobile banks.
“We used to work together on the mobiles, so we’d be known as the mother-son team,” Sue said. “But now he’s been promoted. I miss it, but he’s doing great.”
Brooke Wilson, a Stanford spokeswoman for the blood center, said other employees, like the Belangers, were personally affected by the need for blood transfusions—or one of their family members were.
“Many feel such a connection for the act of donating and receiving blood,” Wilson said.
She added that the center is always in need of O-negative blood, as it can be given to a person with any other blood type.
Donations can be made through the Stanford Blood Center by appointment at one of three locations—two in Palo Alto and one in Mountain View—or at a blood drive. To make an appointment, call 888-723-7831.
To find out about drives in your area, call 650-723-7819 or click here to find a blood drive near you.
