Why I Do What I Do: Molly Swonger

After four months in Charlotte, April 2011, I found a home at the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas.  I had just moved from Louisville, KY where I had been working in the public health sector for a few years.  My initial job at CBCC was a perfect fit because I was working on completing my Masters in Public Administration and Policy.  Since November, I have been the pesky social media lady here at CBCC.

My mother emphasized volunteerism in my childhood, but until 2007 I never thought of non-profit work as a career choice.  Five years ago, I was lucky enough to find a public health non-profit that fostered my development.  Having lost my father and grandparents at an early age, I learned the importance of one’s health – how it impacts your family and the community.   It truly influences every facet of day to day life.

Like many people in Charlotte, I grew up in Ohio.  My mom and sister were smart and fled the cold weather to live in Charlotte years before me.   Other than my mom and sister I have my trusty rescue cat Iris.  I hike, run, practice yoga and in believe in all this public health stuff I write about.  It helps that CBCC is very supportive of a healthy lifestyle, balancing life and work.

CBCC is different from any other public health non-profit I have worked for because we provide a very tangible and essential service for the community.  No matter what, people need blood.  Without blood products patients would not be able to receive treatments when they go into the hospital.  Our donors, employees and advocates save lives daily. We can track how many lives are impacted by how many donors roll up their sleeves.  It is rewarding to work for an organization where we are making the community stronger one pint at a time.