For OC Mom, It’s All ‘In Her Blood’

Submitted by Anne Milo and Jayce Yamagishi

ORANGE, Calif-- Some call her one of Orange County’s greatest life-saver: for the last 15 years, Connie Zappone of Anaheim has donated eight gallons of blood-- one pint at a time. She is the largest single donor the St. Joseph Hospital Blood Donor program. More than 200 people’s lives have been saved through her donations according to Red Cross calculations.

“I hate needles but this is special to me, it’s my way of giving back to the community,” says the Anaheim mom. “I don’t have a lot of time to volunteer so I can spend one hour in a chair and make a difference.”

Her blood type is very rare and is one that is often needed for children, so that’s makes it even more special to her. “My dad donated blood and I always thought that could be my thing to.”

Despite all the technology available to health professionals today, Connie says you can’t manufacturer blood. “It’s the one thing in medicine that is so precious because you can’t develop it; it needs to be there to save lives and it’s up to donors to keep the supply full.”

Connie, who works in accounting at the Orange-based St. Joseph Health System office, goes and donates on her lunch hour. She was recently awarded the Justice Award from the System for her contributions to others.