SE Wisconsin Board Member William “Bill” Murgas

It’s with sadness and a heavy heart that we share with you that our good friend and a true Red Crosser William “Bill” Murgas passed away on Tuesday, December 12, at the age of 92. Bill passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends. Funeral services are pending and we’ll pass on additional information as soon as we receive it.

Bill was a lifetime board member at the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter who dedicated 67 years of his life to service as a volunteer for the American Red Cross.

Bill began his Red Cross journey in 1956 as a member and Explorers unit advisor after returning home from military service in Europe. Over the years he became a champion of the Red Cross’ mission and his involvement grew to include CPR and First Aid training in the 1970s, and disaster volunteerism into the 1990s. In fact, the mantle at his suburban Milwaukee home was made from a beam of a barn destroyed by a tornado in rural Wisconsin – a gift from the barn owner to Bill for the relief and clean-up efforts the Red Cross performed after that disaster. Just this week, Bill continued his legacy of generosity with a match for our holiday campaign and this spring is scheduled to be inducted into the American National Red Cross Chairman’s Council.

Outside of the Red Cross, Bill had a successful career as an engineer. He spent over 30 years at Velvac Inc., with a stint as the Wisconsin manufacturer’s president and CEO. Bill also spent more than two decades as a volunteer firefighter in New Berlin and his community generosity extended to his fellow first responders, the arts and more.

Bill was a devoted humanitarian and a philanthropist who lived by the adage “service is the price you pay for the space you occupy.” This quote is splashed across the walls of the Red Cross office in Milwaukee, where one wing carries his name, and this principle guides volunteers and employees across all lines of service – in blood donations, disaster relief, life-saving training, military service and volunteering.

Over the years Bill’s impact on the American Red Cross of Wisconsin has been immeasurable. He will be missed dearly not only as an advocate for our mission, but as a friend to those of us who were fortunate enough to know him. We as an organization, are honored and ever better because of the time we shared with him.

Sincerely,

Mark Thomas & Jill Orton

Local Man Marks 38 Years of Volunteering at Madison Holiday Blood Drive

_{By Laura McGuire, American Red Cross}

Dave Barman is a familiar face at the 38th Annual Madison Holiday Blood Drive, as the event’s longest serving volunteer. Barman has volunteered at the drive every year since it began in 1985.

Barman has held various positions throughout the years, but he says his favorite is Blood Donor Ambassador because he gets to visit with blood donors to provide comforting words, learn about why they donate, answer their questions and thank them for donating. His courtesy and professionalism create a favorable impression that keeps donors coming back year after year.

While Barman has seen the tremendous success the drive has achieved since it began, he’s also been there for the challenging years too. He remembers the year that the drive was cancelled due to weather conditions and the year the word Covid changed procedures, but mostly he remembers the smiling blood donors who know they are making a difference in the world.

Sporting a Santa hat, Barman is full of energy and can’t say enough about his love for helping people and giving back during the holiday season. When asked why he started volunteering with the blood drive, his answer was simple. “Someone asked me to help,” said Barman. Throughout the years, Barman has seen familiar faces show up at the drive to volunteer and to donate blood as part of holiday traditions. He may not know all their names, but he knows they all have one thing in common, giving back to help others in need.

“You can’t find a better location in the Madison area during the holidays that exhibits holiday cheer,” said Barman. “Donors are anxious to start their holiday by giving back in a positive way.”

Barman is a loyal blood donor. He started donating blood in 1973 and has continued giving blood since. In 1980, he began donating platelets every other week. Over the years, Barman has donated about 112 lifesaving gallons of blood.

In addition to blood services, Barman is also familiar how the Red Cross supports services to the Armed Forces. When he was stationed with the Army in Korea, a family emergency happened back home. The Red Cross helped assist with extending his visit back home, enabling him to spend more time with his family.

“The Red Cross does so much for everyone in so many ways,” said Barman.

Barman continues to recruit new volunteers for the Annual Madison Holiday Blood Drive, and he has no plans to stop volunteering.

The Red Cross is always looking for Blood Donor Ambassadors. In this role you will provide excellent and enthusiastic customer service to enhance the blood donor experience. Engage with blood donors to promote blood donation and set the stage for a long-term commitment to regular blood donations. For more information on volunteering visit RedCross.org/Wisconsin.

News Reporter Eligible to Donate Blood for the First Time After FDA Guideline Change

On August 7, the American Red Cross implemented the updated FDA blood donation guidelines which eliminate questions based on sexual orientation. We look forward to welcoming those who may be newly eligible to give through a more inclusive blood donation process.

The Red Cross is committed to achieving an inclusive blood donation process that treats all potential donors with equality and respect, and ensures a safe, sufficient blood supply is readily available for patients in need. This historic change in approach to donor eligibility is significant progress, resulting in a blood donation process that is more inclusive than ever before.

Josh Spreiter, morning reporter with News 3 Now, recently rolled up his sleeve at the Red Cross donation center in Madison, joining other donors in becoming a part of the Red Cross’ lifesaving mission. 

“I’m excited to give back in a way I haven’t been able to do in more than 12 years,” said Spreiter. “Now that the LGBTQ+ community is welcome to donate, this is a step in the right direction moving forward.”

He was greeted at the door and escorted to the health history area before being led to the donation bed. Spreiter was guided through the entire process and minutes later the actual blood collection portion of the appointment was over.

“All in all, it was a commitment that took less than an hour of my time, and I’m told it only gets easier from here,” said Spreiter. For Spreiter, this was a powerful moment, and he hopes by sharing his personal story others will be inspired to donate lifesaving blood.

The Red Cross has a constant need for blood and platelet donors. Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.