A Cal Poly San Luis Obispo housing administrator is sharing a deeply personal story about how blood donations saved his life, hoping to inspire others to give ahead of KSBY’s annual Be a Hero Blood Drive.
To learn about the blood drive on August 26 and to register: CLICK HERE.
“As a former Red Cross advocate and lifeguard swim instructor and just always kind of surrounded around blood donations and sort of that advocacy, it always sort of resonated with me,” said Samuel Rueda.
That changed when Rueda became a recipient himself.
“I had just finished my first quarter of my master’s program here at [Cal] Poly, and had some [health] issues that were coming up, and got myself checked out,” Rueda said.
Tests revealed he had cancer, a diagnosis that came just years after he lost his mother to the same disease.
“We lost her about three years before my diagnosis, and so we were obviously shocked, and it really felt like reopening the wound a little bit because we had just started kind of processing the loss,” Rueda said.
Rueda’s cancer removal surgery was scheduled promptly, but complications arose after he left the operating room.
“What was unexpected was I was still bleeding out a little bit after surgery. There were some capillaries that didn’t catch, weren’t cauterized, weren’t coagulating, and so I had to go back in. They fixed the issue. No, no problem on the second surgery, but I had lost so much blood that I needed two blood transfusions, and that honestly just was what saved my life,” Rueda said.
Today, Rueda helps coordinate blood drives on the Cal Poly campus, a way he said he is able to give back.
“This is where I’m able…. to give back… a little bit,” Rueda said.
The need along the Central Coast is significant. Vitalant ships more than 230 lifesaving units of blood to local hospitals every day, which means the organization needs close to 200 donors daily just to keep up with demand. Without those donations, patients may not be able to receive the treatment they need. You can help save a life by participating in KSBY’s “Be a Hero” blood drive on August 26.
Nationally, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion every two seconds, and both the American Red Cross and Vitalant report the nation is facing a critical blood shortage, the lowest levels seen in two years.
Type O blood is especially in demand. Patients with type O-positive blood make up about 39% of the population but can only receive type O blood.
“Type O blood is always in high demand because it’s the most versatile and frequently used blood type for transfusions. Additionally, patients with type O-positive blood make up about 39% of the population, but they can only receive type O blood,” said Amie Rawson, Vitalant Senior Vice President of Donor Services. “When there’s a shortage, doctors may have to decide who can receive it immediately and who can wait. That is why maintaining an adequate supply of all blood types is essential to ensure every patient gets the blood they need, especially when seconds count.”
Despite the need, the donor pool remains narrow. More than 60% of the population is eligible to give blood, yet only about 3% of those eligible actually donate. The average Vitalant blood donor is 54 years old and has been giving for more than 15 years. Vitalant says it especially needs first-time donors or those who have not given in some time.
Blood is perishable and in constant demand, making every donation critical. Most people are eligible to donate, and the process takes about an hour. For those worried about needles, Vitalant says most donors compare the experience to a mild, split-second pinch. A single donation can save up to three lives.
In addition to four donation centers, Vitalant helps host more than 1,300 community blood drives every year, more than two dozen every week.
Donors who use code AUGUST15-2026-V when making an appointment and donating in August will receive a $15 gift card of their choice through Vitalant Donor Rewards. Appointments can be made at vitalant.org/ksby or by calling 877-258-4825.
KSBY’s Be a Hero Blood Drive is Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Donation locations are available in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria. Everyone who donates will receive a meal, and shave ice will also be available at the San Luis Obispo location.
If you have a story idea you would like to send to KSBY Reporter Jessica Roe, you can reach her directly via email at jessica.roe@ksby.com.