Bring on the Good Karma: Blood Donor, Sara Goodman

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Jan 23, 2017 | Alyssa Frank | @alyssafrank

For the past 11 years, Sara Goodman has worked as a laboratory assistant in Internal Operations at Mayo Medical Laboratories. But that’s not all Goodman has been committed to during her career at Mayo Clinic. With more than 13 gallons of blood donated at Mayo’s Blood Donor Center in Rochester, Goodman is also a lifelong donor and advocate for blood donation.

“Shortly after I began my job, there was a mobile blood drive at the Superior Drive Support Center, and my coworkers encouraged me to come with them to donate,” says Goodman. “I’ve never looked back, and I have those colleagues to thank for starting me down this path as a lifelong donor. Blood donation is just a part of my life now.”

Dispelling Myths

When speaking with Goodman about what might deter people from donating blood, she responded, “People think they don’t have the time.” It’s a common myth that donating blood will take a lot of time away from the work day. In reality, a typical blood donation takes approximately 45 minutes, and that includes time for eating a delicious cookie—or two.

Goodman goes on to explain, “A few years ago, a family member of mine needed a transplant, which required a blood transfusion. I know that every day there are individuals in the same situation, and they are appreciative that blood products are available in their time of need. I’m so grateful that my blood donations may help and that they have the potential to save patients’ lives.”

How to Donate

For more information about donating blood in Olmsted County in Rochester, Minnesota, call (507) 284-4475 or email donateblood@mayo.edu. For more information about the Mayo Clinic Blood Donor Center, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/donateblood or like the center on Facebook.