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Bloodworks 101

Bloodworks Northwest

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. 

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  • 30 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 16 min
  • English

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Episodes 30

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  • Yesterday · 14 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 · 13 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 · 18 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 · 9 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 · 14 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 · 11 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 · 8 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

  • S8 · E1
    September 3 · 21 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 · 13 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 · 12 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

  • August 13 · 18 min

    ENCORE: "Be Silly" - Madi Johnson, Diabetes, and Blood Donation

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Did you know that people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, on or off medication, can donate blood if their diabetes is under control and they meet the other eligibility criteria? Madi Johnson didn't know this until she started working for Bloodworks, and she's lived with diabetes since she was 12. Now, it's her job to help people in all communities donate blood. © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

  • August 6 · 15 min

    "Grant Brewster - Goodlabs" - (S6 E40)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Are you curious about your health but just haven't taken the time to get your blood tested? Is the cost of getting your blood tested holding you back? Well, there's a new company called Goodlabs, partnering with Bloodworks Northwest that provides free blood testing to Bloodworks Northwest donors. Goodlabs is a nationwide company that's just getting a foothold here in the Pacific Northwest. Recently, Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager got a chance to sit down with Goodlabs CEO Grant Brewster. If you're interested, go to goodlabs.com. Support the show

  • July 29 · 15 min

    "Four Quiet Heroes on a Monday Morning - The Seattle Center Shooting 2026 (S7 E39)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message On Sunday, July 26th, 2026, three people were killed and more than four people were injured in a shooting at the Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food and music festival. Many in the city feel sad and powerless in the aftermath of events like these. But the next day, as Bloodworks 101 Producer Helen Pitlick discovered, four people came forward and did what they could to respond in their own quiet way. Here's a special edition of Bloodworks 101 we're calling "Four Quiet Heroes on a Monday Morning." Support the show

  • July 23 · 9 min

    Juan Cotto - One More Time 2026 (S7 E38)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message We say "One More Time" a lot. The expression "One More Time" can apply to many things in life. Here in Seattle, if you're a football fan, you'd probably like the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl just "One More Time". But if you're a Bloodworks Northwest donor, we hope you take that expression to heart in a different way that could save a life. Recently, Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager sat down for a frank discussion about "One More Time" with Juan Cotto, our Senior Government Affairs Director. Support the show

  • July 16 · 9 min

    "Tash Haynes: A Trusted Voice Online" - (S7 E37)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Tash Haynes is a storyteller and content creator based here in the Puget Sound Area. Tash says she loves to share people's stories but as Bloodworks 101 Producer John Yeager found out, it's her personal story that brought her in to the new Bloodworks Northwest Tacoma Donor Center. Wait til you hear it. Support the show

  • July 9 · 21 min

    “The importance of having something to say” — Tazz Enrico & Where the Heart Lives (S7 E36)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Bloodworks partners with The Residency on Where the Heart Lives, a free one-hour hip-hop show for high school and college students that makes blood donation more approachable. If you’ve seen a performance, you’ve probably seen Tazz Enrico. Tazz came into Bloodworks to talk with our own Giselle Lehmann. As you will hear, the relationship that Giselle and Tazz have built through Where the Heart Lives is truly something special. Find Tazz at: https://djten.my.canva.site/t-en-com Where the Heart Lives: https://wheretheheartlives.org/ © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

  • June 25 · 21 min

    "Almost a statistic" — Dr. Laura Marie Rivera (S7 E34)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message Content warning: this episode involves life-threatening bleeding during childbirth. The strengths of motherhood are not often recognized or appreciated in the workplace. Seattle resident Dr. Laura Marie Rivera is very aware of this — her work focuses on the intersection between motherhood and leadership. But, 11 years ago as of this week, Dr. Laura Marie almost lost her life while becoming a mom for the third and fourth time. More about Dr. Laura Marie: Intuitionship: https://intuitionship.com/ The Motherhood Advantage: https://www.motherhoodadvantage.com/ © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

  • June 18 · 7 min

    Urgent: Bloodworks issues Code Red

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message This week, Bloodworks issued a Code Red, an urgent appeal for blood donors: our region’s blood supply has reached emergency low levels. Bloodworks 101 co-producer Helen Pitlick talked with Harry Thomas, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement, to learn more about this urgent need. Make your next appointment at bloodworksnw.org or by calling 800-398-7888. Support the show

  • June 11 · 23 min

    "We have to keep dancing" — Remembering the Pulse Nightclub shooting (S7 E33)

    Got a story idea for Bloodworks 101? Send us a text message On June 12, 2016, a gunman opened fire during Latin Night at Pulse, a popular gay nightclub in Orlando, FL. 49 people lost their lives, 58 were wounded, and countless worlds changed forever. Ten years later, Bloodworks 101 host John Yeager sat down with Bloodworks staff to reflect on the impact that The Pulse Nightclub has had on blood banking, the LGBTQIA+ community, and the country as a whole. © 2026 Bloodworks 101 Support the show

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