LifeStream Cascade Region
If we were to choose a horse racing term to describe the person in charge of local operations at LifeStream Cascade, the word “thoroughbred” jumps to mind. It is an apt metaphor for Jean Garcia, who, when not focusing on the myriad details of managing a blood bank, is likely to be out riding or training horses, a passion she has nurtured for more than three decades in south King County and Pierce County.
Jean oversees all operations at LifeStream Cascade. That includes all financial, administrative, human resources, and donor-facing activities. In addition, she serves as our professional liaison with contracted providers throughout the Pacific Northwest region as well as regional and national partner organizations such as Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) and Blood Centers of America (BCA).
Sometimes a person chooses a career. Other times it chooses them.
Jean’s introduction to the field of blood banking occurred as she was sitting in a hospital lobby while her parents were there to receive blood products as part of their respective cancer treatments. She noticed a mobile blood collection van that had pulled up outside. It was at that moment she realized what a lifeline blood banks are for patients in need.
Moved by the experience, Jean would eventually leave her family’s Kent-based business in which she had worked for decades and in 2017 joined the community blood bank as an accountant.
A Pierce County resident for 30 years, Jean’s ties to Tacoma and South King County run deep. Her knowledge of local community needs and the leadership skills to deliver on our commitment of connecting donors with patients underscores her dedication to our mission.
While Jean is obviously good with analytics and numbers, the value of her leadership goes far beyond spreadsheet analysis. She is a servant leader at heart and her passion for blood donors and our blood center family is why we count on her, and so can you!
LifeStream Cascade Region
We like to say it takes an army to run a professional blood center and nobody understands that better than Macy Hamblen, who supervises our phlebotomists and donor collections personnel at LifeStream Cascade. That is because Macy has served in the U.S. Army and, in fact, continues her service today in the Army Reserves.
After finishing her active-duty assignment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in 2021, Macy put her Medical Lab Technician degree to work for the community blood bank. The George Washington University graduate brings more than eight years of experience to the LifeStream Cascade leadership team.
In addition to her clinical expertise, Macy handles much of the blood center’s compliance activities, ensuring we are compliant with industry standards set by AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies) and regulations set by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration.) That work typically is not donor facing, so when the Pierce County resident gets an opportunity to meet with donors face-to-face at community events like the Susan B. Komen Walk for Life in support of breast cancer screening, she jumps at the chance.
We salute Macy for her service to country and our community!
LifeStream Cascade Region
A certified phlebotomist from the State of Washington, Ashley Dickinson draws on years of experience in training LifeStream Cascade collection professionals how to work with a diversity of blood products and services. Yet her value to the organization and donors goes far beyond her professional skills. That is because she grew up, went to school, and launched her career right here in Pierce County.
Ashley spent three years at the local blood bank prior to joining LifeStream Cascade. She trains our phlebotomists on all aspects of the collection process, from checking vitals to everything that happens in the screening room. Her training covers everything from whole blood to apheresis, where we separate red and white blood cells, platelets, or plasma that can be used to treat specific medical conditions.
The Gig Harbor resident, who graduated from Bates Technical College, finds her inspiration in the stories of our donors. Whether it is the mother of a daughter battling cancer or the local teacher trying to set an example for his students, Ashley understands the giving spirit that makes our community special.
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