Bloodworks 101

Bloodworks Northwest

Bloodworks 101 is an Anthem Award-winning weekly podcast produced by Bloodworks Northwest, a Seattle-based blood bank and research center. Episodes are designed to inspire and educate listeners to donate time, money or blood.
On Bloodworks 101 you'll meet experts who can discuss everything from the importance of blood donation to trypanophobia (fear of needles). You'll meet a man who survived leukemia with the help of 267 blood transfusions, a woman who started donating blood after September 11th and then years later, would end up winning a new car because of it. You'll meet an 81-year-old nurse whose plasma helped those suffering from COVID-19, and a five-year-old boy who beat stage IV Neuroblastoma thanks to blood donors he'll never know.
These are just a few of the stories you'll hear on Bloodworks 101, hosted by Emmy Award-winning producer John Yeager, who is joined by a team of producers including gifted storytellers Bill Harper, Helen Pitlick and Juan Cotto.
Want inspiration? Listen to Bloodworks 101.

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Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness

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Bloodworks 101 Introduction (with host John Yeager)

Bloodworks 101 Introduction (with host John Yeager)

In this trailer, you'll meet John Yeager, your host for this podcast and find out why people at Bloodworks Northwest are so enthusiastic about the project. In this short piece you'll get a hint of the kind of stories the staff at Bloodworks Northwest will be sharing every month or so.

"At Last: Gay & Bisexual Men Now Able to Donate Blood - John Rubino" (S5 E13)

"At Last: Gay & Bisexual Men Now Able to Donate Blood - John Rubino" (S5 E13)

On Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, gay and bisexual men will finally be able to donate blood because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has changed its guidelines regarding blood donation. It's a day Seattle's John Rubino wondered would ever come. In fact, John's history with blood donation isn't new. Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager takes it from there.

Curt Bailey: Consumer Insights 2023-24 (S5 E12)

Curt Bailey: Consumer Insights 2023-24 (S5 E12)

When you come into a Bloodworks Northwest donor center are you a donor or a consumer? That's just one of the questions President & CEO Curt Bailey unpacks in this special BONUS edition of Bloodworks Northwest. As Bloodworks opens more donor centers like the one recently opened in Beaverton, Oregon, these questions take on more weight. Here's a wide-ranging conversation Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager had with Curt that focuses on our new Bloodworks Northwest Consumer Insights Survey.

"Dog Donors: Heroes with Four Legs" (S5 E11)

"Dog Donors: Heroes with Four Legs" (S5 E11)

CW: pet illness and death. Did you know that dogs and cats can donate blood? As a Bloodworks executive, Jill Thomas never questioned that blood would be there for a loved one when they needed it. But when her beloved Boston Terrier, Leroy, had cancer surgery, she learned that, for our pets, this isn't always the case. Dogs, cats, and even ferrets might need blood for all the same reasons as we do: surgery or trauma, anemia, auto-immune disorders, heat stroke, or other illnesses. Come with Bloodworks 101 as we step into a different sort of donor center. Pet blood banks in Western Washington:Seattle: Timberline Veterinary Blood BankGreater Seattle: Blue Pearl Blood Bank in RentonBellingham: Northwest Veterinary BloodbankPet blood banks in Western Oregon:Portland: Dove Lewis Blood BankGreater Portland: VCA NWVS Critical Care Blood Bank in ClackamasCorvallis: Wilvet Blood Donor ProgramElsewhere: PetPlace's list of Animal Blood Banks (2015)

Natasha Erickson and the 37 Strangers (S5 E10)

Natasha Erickson and the 37 Strangers (S5 E10)

When you donate blood, you have no idea where your blood goes nor do you know who received it. This is a story about someone who received it. Her name is Natasha Erickson, a stay-at-home mom from the Portland area. Natasha will be on hand for the Grand Opening of our new donor center in Beaverton. Why? Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager takes it from here.

"The Front Line of Blood Research" (S5 E9)

"The Front Line of Blood Research" (S5 E9)

The Armed Forces Blood Program ships blood anywhere in the world that it's needed. Dom Carreiro would know: he used to supervise the blood bank at Oak Harbor before coming to Bloodworks as a civilian. But what about platelets, which only have a 5-7 day shelf life? The Stolla Lab at Bloodworks Research Institute, led by Dr. Moritz Stolla, has been the recipient of multiple grants from the US Department of Defense because of their work to extend the shelf-life of platelets.

The New Beaverton Donor Center: Jake Cole & Curt Bailey (S5 E8)

The New Beaverton Donor Center: Jake Cole & Curt Bailey (S5 E8)

This month, Bloodworks Northwest is holding it's Grand Opening of the new Bloodworks Northwest Beaverton Donor Center in the Portland area. It's been years since Bloodworks has opened a brand new brick and mortar donor center anywhere in the Portland area. There's been a lot of anticipation but as Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager found out, it's all part of the plan to deliver a better donor experience.

"From the Heart to the Heart" ENCORE: Chef Theirry Rautureau

"From the Heart to the Heart" ENCORE: Chef Theirry Rautureau

This week, acclaimed Chef Thierry Rautureau, "The Chef in the Hat," died at age 64 from pulmonary fibrosis. Last year, Bloodworks 101 contributor Bill Harper, who's fluent in French, was able to sit down with Chef Thierry for a conversation about life and food and the importance of having enough blood on hand. In May of 2022, Bill wrote, "French-born Chef Thierry Rautureau has been a pillar of the Seattle culinary for decades as the visionary of such seminal restaurants as Rover's Loulay, and Luc. When we approached him to join our Culinary Coalition in support of blood donation and the Savor Life Save a Life campaign, he eagerly agreed and said in his interview with Bill Harper, "without blood, there is no life." Well said, Chef. À table!"

Extending Platelet Shelf Life in the Stolla Lab (S5 E7)

Extending Platelet Shelf Life in the Stolla Lab (S5 E7)

Platelets -- the part of blood that helps control bleeding -- are lifesaving for cancer patients, those receiving organ or bone marrow transplants, victims of trauma, and patients undergoing open-heart surgery. But donated platelets have a shelf-life of only 5-7 days. What if we could extend the life of platelets? What if modern platelet use is based on outdated assumptions? Dr. Moritz Stolla of Bloodworks Research institute wants to find out.

"If I Hadn't Broken My Toe... - Josh McCullough" (S5 E6)

"If I Hadn't Broken My Toe... - Josh McCullough" (S5 E6)

For most of us, breaking a toe is a painful inconvenience. For Josh McCullough, co-host of podcasts Murder in the Rain and Always Be My Sisters, it might have saved his life—along with Bloodworks donors and the cardiac surgery team at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland. We sat down with Josh to talk about his heart surgery, the community connection of blood donation, and what cold case he'd most like to see solved. More from Josh:Murder in the RainAlways be my Sisters

"Cutting Through the Red Tape: The Phlebotomist's Bill" - Juan Cotto & Lisa Ballinger (S5 E5)

"Cutting Through the Red Tape: The Phlebotomist's Bill" - Juan Cotto & Lisa Ballinger (S5 E5)

You'd think a simple thing like how to train a blood collection specialist wouldn't take any effort to change. Think again. In this episode of Bloodworks 101, producer John Yeager sits down with two specialists; Juan Cotto and Lisa Ballinger from Bloodworks Northwest as they unpack how they cut through the red tape, and in the process helped Bloodworks Northwest save time, money and maybe even lives.

"The New Era of Blood Donation: Lifting the MSM Deferral" - Dylan Smith & Juan Gonzalez (S5 E4)

"The New Era of Blood Donation: Lifting the MSM Deferral" - Dylan Smith & Juan Gonzalez (S5 E4)

Since the early 1980's, there has been a ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood. Until now. In just a matter of weeks, Bloodworks Northwest will implement new guidelines set down by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, allowing gay and bisexual men to donate. At the Vancouver Donor Center in the the Portland Metro area, Dylan Smith and his partner Juan Gonzalez plan to be the first in line. Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager sat down with these two young men to discuss why blood donation is so important to them. For Dylan it's easy - he works for Bloodworks. But there's more. Much more.

ENCORE EDITION - "Coming Home from Cancerland" - Lauren Reagan (September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month)

ENCORE EDITION - "Coming Home from Cancerland" - Lauren Reagan (September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month)

Even though an aggressive form of leukemia took his life at age 6, Declan Reagan’s story is about living with cancer, not dying from it. In this ENCORE EDITION of Bloodworks 101, his mom, Lauren describes Declan’s penchant for pushing limits and breaking rules, and her determination to find a way for him to see the new Jurassic World movie that was set to debut 6 months after he was given just 2 weeks to live. On their side in this impossible quest? A mom on a mission, hope, and Chris Pratt. Contributor Bill Harper says you've never heard a story like this before.

"How Artificial Intelligence is Streamlining Life-Saving Cell Therapies" - The Bloodworks NW & Ozette Partnership (S5 E3)

"How Artificial Intelligence is Streamlining Life-Saving Cell Therapies" - The Bloodworks NW & Ozette Partnership (S5 E3)

We've all heard news stories about the impact of Articial Intelligence. Many of them highlight the dark side of machines controlling our lives. But as Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager discovered, there's another side of machone learning and AI that promises to save lives. And it all starts with a unique partnership between two Seatle-based companies - Ozette and Bloodworks Bio.

"Life After Morning Drive": Gregg Hersholt (S5 E2)

"Life After Morning Drive": Gregg Hersholt (S5 E2)

Long-time Seattle radio news host and loyal Bloodwork Northwest donor, Gregg Hersholt discusses "Life After Morning Drive" and the importance of donating blood on a regular basis. But before he can donate, he needs to get his iron level up.In this episode, Hersholt tells tells Bloodworks 101 host John Yeager the story of how he's dealing with life after a 50-year career in news but it's also about what happens when you attempt to donate blood and at first you don't succeed.

"Dan Ertel - Donation Hall of Fame" (S5 E1)

"Dan Ertel - Donation Hall of Fame" (S5 E1)

Global health care company, Fresenius Kabi announced last fall, the 12 newest inductees into their Blood Donation Hall of Fame. For nearly a quarter century, the Donation Hall of Fame has recognized the unique stories of those who are passionate about and committed to blood donation. On this episode of Bloodworks 101, producer John Yeager was on hand for the induction of Eugene Oregon's Dan Ertel, a man who has had a huge impact on his community but a guy who hates to be at the center of attention.

ENCORE EPISODE: "Natasha's New Car: A 9-11 Legacy"

ENCORE EPISODE: "Natasha's New Car: A 9-11 Legacy"

We all have our reasons for donating blood that finally compel us to schedule an appointment. Whidbey Island's Natasha Vanderlinden had to overcome her significant fear of needles but as host John Yeager tells us in this ENCORE episode of "Bloodworks 101," once she overcame that fear, you'll never guess what happened. Natasha's story didn't happen overnight. It would play out over 20 years. And little did she know that it would begin on one of the most horrific days in American history, September 11th. 2001.

ENCORE EDITION: Medical Research Needs All of Us: Henrietta Lacks' Legacy

ENCORE EDITION: Medical Research Needs All of Us: Henrietta Lacks' Legacy

Originally released in October 2021, with several important updates: this is the story of two remarkable two women -- Henrietta Lacks and Sonya Chris Ellis -- separated by decades but immortal to those who carry on their legacies, as told by two remarkable women -- Lacks' great-granddaughter Victoria Baptiste and Dr. Ashley Ellis -- the lessons their families want us all to learn from their lives, and why diverse participation in medical research, such as the All of Us Research Program, is vital.Anybody who is interested or has questions can go to JoinAllofUs.org/BWNW or contact us at AllofUs@bloodworksnw.org

"Some Kind of Famous"- Lynette Manning (S4 E31)

"Some Kind of Famous"- Lynette Manning (S4 E31)

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, her work with Bloodworks has helped her on stage but as John found out, there's another reason why she's inspired.

"It's Been A Long Time Coming": James Bancroft and the Lifting of the Mad Cow Deferral (S4 E30)

"It's Been A Long Time Coming": James Bancroft and the Lifting of the Mad Cow Deferral (S4 E30)

As of January, Bloodworks Northwest now has access to as many as one thousand new donors in the Pacific Northwest simply because an FDA deferral is being lifted. As Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager tells us, that's because new evidence has led the FDA to remove the deferral requirement associated with time spent in the U.K., France, and Ireland due to the risk of vCJD also known as Mad Cow Disease.This comes as music to the ears of donor James Bancroft and as Bancroft can tell you - it's about time.

ENCORE EDITION "Transfusions In The Field" Lieutenant Michael Barokas SFD, Medic One

ENCORE EDITION "Transfusions In The Field" Lieutenant Michael Barokas SFD, Medic One

Ever heard of a lactaided ringer? Do you know the difference between blunt and pentrating trauma? Today, on a special ENCORE EDITION of Bloodworks 101, entitled, "Transfusions in the Field," Lieutenant Michael Barokas, a Medical Services Officer for Seattle's Medic One answers those questions as we take you behind-the-scenes in the life and death battle that can happen every time Barokas leaves on an emergency. It's also a battle where blood donors like you play a big role, as producer John Yeager found out. (TW: This episode contains graphic references to the effects of gun violence and suicide.)