Giving Back, One Donation at a Time: An Interview with Digital Forensics Director, Jeff Stiegler
At Precise Discovery, service and commitment don’t stop at the office door. Jeff Stiegler, our Director of Digital Forensics, brings the same sense of purpose to his personal life through his steadfast dedication to blood and platelet donation. What began as a convenient opportunity during the COVID-19 lockdown has grown into a deeply meaningful part of Jeff’s routine. In this interview, Jeff shares the story behind his volunteerism, what the donation process involves, and why he believes more people should consider rolling up their sleeves.
Personal Motivation and Background
What inspired you to start donating blood and platelets?
During the initial COVID lockdown, we had started donating regularly—it was convenient since the donation center was in the same building as our office. Also, from the days of high school and college blood drives, I was always able to donate very quickly and effortlessly, which made the process less intimidating.
Was there a specific event or person that motivated you to make this a regular practice?
I had been regularly donating whole blood for a few years when one visit I was asked to donate platelets out of an urgent need. A few weeks later, I received a call that I was a match for a type of white blood cell donation for a specific patient. From then on, I’ve regularly donated platelets whenever possible.
Commitment and Routine
How often do you donate, and how long have you been doing it?
This year I’m on schedule to donate platelets 20 times—the maximum allowable donations per year is 24. Occasionally, I’ll include a whole blood or plasma donation if there is an urgent need or if a specific machine isn’t available.
What does the donation process involve, especially for platelets?
It’s like a typical blood donation, but with an extra step that separates the platelets from your blood and returns everything else. I actually feel better after a platelet donation than a traditional blood donation because of this. The whole process takes me about 2.5 to 3 hours, and due to my size and height, I can donate a larger amount.
How do you make time for this around work and other responsibilities?
The few hours spent during donation are a great time to catch up on reading, training videos, podcasts—or just a good excuse to zone out.
Impact and Meaning
Do you know how your donations have helped others?
Yes. The center sends notifications when donations are delivered and used. The white blood cell donation I mentioned earlier was used during a surgical procedure involving a newborn baby.
Have you encouraged friends or colleagues to donate as well?
I encourage anyone to do anything they can to help others. Donating blood and platelets for me is something that I don’t mind doing at all.
Health and Preparation
Are there any myths about donating blood or platelets you’d like to dispel?
The whole process is very casual and comfortable. Whole blood donations can often be done in under half an hour. The most painful part, in my opinion, is removing the bandage hours after the donation.
How do you prepare for a donation, and what advice would you give to someone who’s never donated before?
Read the materials, drink water, and (if donating platelets) bring something to entertain yourself for a couple of hours.
Personal Reflection
What keeps you coming back time after time?
To be honest, at this point it’s part of my routine, and the time is something I can generally look forward to every couple of weeks.
Is there anything you wish more people understood about blood and platelet donation?
A blood transfusion is required in the U.S. every 2 seconds, and of the 38% of people eligible to donate, only 3% do so.
Making a Lifesaving Difference
Jeff’s story is a reminder that acts of service don’t always require grand gestures—they can begin with a simple decision to show up. His consistent donations have supported patients during surgery, aided newborns, and contributed to an often-invisible system that helps save lives every day. If you’ve ever considered donating blood or platelets, Jeff’s experience might be the motivation you need to take that first step. As he notes, of the 38% of Americans eligible to donate, only 3% do. You can help change that. Sign up to donate via Vitalant and join Jeff in making a powerful difference!