Bloodworks 101

Hosted by Bloodworks Northwest

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Episodes

285

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Started in 2020, Bloodworks 101 is an Anthem Award-winning, weekly podcast produced by Bloodworks Northwest, a Seattle-based blood bank and research center. It is the nation’s only regularly scheduled podcast in the blood banking industry. 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). Emmy Award-winning producer John Yeager, is joined by a team of gifted storytellers; Helen Pitlick and Juan Cotto. In 2025, Bloodworks 101 won its sixth coveted Anthem Award, beating out more than 2,500 entries from 43 nations.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 1, 202614 min

"Why Blood Donation is Good for You" Stephen Price - Goodlabs (S8 E8)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message You probably know that blood donation is good for our community but did you know that it's actually good for your health? It's true and in ways you've probably never known. Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager spoke with someone who's done a lot of research on the topic, an engineer with Goodlabs, a new company providing free blood testing to any Bloodworks donor who books their appointment through Goodlabs. His name is Stephen Price. Support the show

September 24, 202613 min

"Cancer Moms" Christine O'Connell & Akimi Hata (S8 E7)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the importance of blood donation to the survival of kids fighting cancer. It's also a time to recognize "cancer moms" for the incredible support they give. Recently, Producer John Yeager spoke with a couple of "cancer moms" for this edition of Bloodworks 101. Support the show

September 17, 202618 min

"Rescue a Human" - Ryan Henry Ward (aka Henry) and Lani Benavente (S8 E6)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message We’re coming to the tail end of Bloodworks' second Give Blood. Rescue a Human. campaign, which emphasizes the powerful connection between pet lovers and the compassionate act of giving blood. Today you’ll hear from two humans who pawsitively embody the spirit of this campaign: Ryan Henry Ward (aka Henry) and Lani Benavente. © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

September 11, 20269 min

"9/11 Twenty-Five Years Later" - Chris Adams (S8 E5)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Most of us are old enough to remember September 11th, 2001. Vancouver's Chris Adams will never forget that day. That's because when tradegies like 9-11 happen, people can either feel helpless or do one of the only things that makes them feel like they're making a contribution, they give blood. Donors that day, poured into the Bloodworks Northwest Donor Center where Chris was working. Recently, he spoke with Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager about what he remembered about that fateful day. Support the show

September 10, 202614 min

Jason Hess & Cheryl Sutherland 9/11 Twenty-Five Years Later (S8 E4)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message For most people, Tuesday, September 11th, 2001 is a day of unmatched terror, that played out right before our eyes on television sets around the world. Almost 3,000 people would die that day, including civilians, firefighters, police officers and passengers. Thousands more have died since then, of 9/11-related illnesses. But for two Bloodworks Northwest blood collection specialists, what they would remember from that day, is how surprised they were, by the calm. Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager spoke to Jason Hess and Cheryl Sutherland about that day and what the still remember, twenty-five-years ago. Support the show

September 9, 202611 min

"It's My First Day!" - 9/11 Twenty-Five-Years Later - Dawn Walker (S8 E3)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Starting a new job is stressful, but starting a new job on the same day as the deadliest terrorist attack in American history? Dawn Walker sat down with Bloodworks 101 co-producer Helen Pitlick to reflect on the generosity she witnessed on her very first day at Bloodworks, 25 years ago. Support the show

September 7, 20268 min

"The Sonic Boom" - Adrienne Averett (S8 E2)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message If her husband is present, Adreinne Averett isn't allowed to sing in the bathroom. It has to do with the fact that according to Ken Averett, listening to his wife in a setting like that is like being near a "sonic boom." Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager got a chance to meet Adrienne a little while back and can attest to the strength of her voice and the importance of her mission at Bloodworks Northwest Support the show

September 3, 2026Episode 121 min

"I Think You Have Cancer" - Lauren Quinsland - Forest Grove, Oregon P.D. (S8 E1)

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Imagine hearing the words, "I think you have cancer." Forest Grove Oregon's Lauren Quinsland doesn't have to use her imagination. For Lauren, it was real. But as she told Bloodworks 101 Producer, John Yeager, what happened next served as an example of superb medical care from her doctors, strong support from her co-workers and the kind of determination that comes with a smile. Support the show

August 27, 202613 min

ENCORE EPISODE "Natasha Erickson and the 37 Strangers"

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message 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 was on hand for the Grand Opening of our new donor center in Beaverton. Why? Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager takes it from here. Support the show

August 20, 202612 min

ENCORE EDITION "Dr. Cameron Berg and The Lucky Fox"

Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message It's not everyday we feature a Canadian veterinarian and a rare blood procedure called xenotransfusion. But that's exactly what brought international media attention to the vet, Dr. Cameron Berg and the Toronto Wildlife Centre recently. And that's how Bloodworks 101 producer John Yeager found out about it. In today's special ENCORE EPISODE, John shares the story of Dr. Cameron Berg and the Lucky Fox. Why's fox "lucky"? You're about to find out. Schedule a donation today: https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/geo/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-O6zBhASEiwAOHeGxd-keEZ00URMAvdYDwxeabDseUfzlrMdSdsRoC2ije9SeC9B-XKLphoCktIQAvD_BwE Support the show