Bloodworks 101 Bloodworks Northwest

When journalists leave the newsroom, they leave the pressure of a daily deadline. It can be liberating for some but for many, this transition also brings on the beginning of a new search for purpose. At least that's what's happened to former KING5 reporter, Chris Cashman. And as Bloodworks 101 podcast producer John Yeager, also a former journalist tells us, Chris has found it by looking for ways to say thanks - to Bloodworks Northwest donors.

By day, Olympia's Lynette Manning sets up blood drives for Bloodworks Northwest. By night, she's a promising standup comedian with a loyal following. And as Lynette tells Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager in this special BONUS edition, her work with Bloodworks has helped her on stage but as John found out, there's another reason why she's inspired.

April 16th, 2007 will be remembered as one of the deadliest shootings in American history, leaving 33 people dead on the Virginia Tech campus, including the shooter. It's a day West Seattle's Whitney Moore would like to forget but now feels compelled to honor. Whitney was a student that day when the "sirens were deafening" on the Virginia Tech campus. She shares her story with producer John Yeager on this special edition of Bloodworks 101. 

When Bloodworks’ chief financial officer Bob Gleason retires in June, he will leave an already-cemented legacy as a values-driven finance maestro.  Bob has set a high bar, and Bloodworks looked far and wide for a business leader who could match his standards and finesse. And now, Bloodworks is excited to welcome Jeff Perry  into the CFO role. Bloodworks 101's Helen Pitlick sat down with Jeff to get to know him a little better and learn more about what he has planned for Bloodworks. 

Former Seattle Mariners catcher Dan Wilson played 12 years for the M's, making the playoffs in 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2001 before retiring in 2005. In 2012, Wilson was inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame alongside his battery-mate, pitcher Randy Johnson. But as noteworthy as Wilson's career on the field was, it's his work helping Northwest charities over the years that has a lasting impact on his community.  Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager caught up with Dan recently at a Pop-Up Blood Drive hosted by the Mariners at T-Mobile Park for this special ENCORE EDITION of Bloodworks 101.

Sometimes it's easy for many people to underestimate a little thing like rolling up your sleeve and donating a unit of blood. But Seattle's Paul Patu is not one of them.  That's because, as Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager found out, Patu owes his life to that "little thing." And wait til you hear what the impact of that one man's life turned out to be.