Blood heroes’ mitzvah rooted in WWII

By Deborah Moon

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For the Weiss/Parker family, donating blood is a mitzvah stretching across four generations and more than 30 years with its roots in World War II.

Last month, the American Red Cross honored the Weiss/Parker family as Blood Heroes at the Fred Meyer Breakfast of Champions.

Since 1976, the Weiss/Parker family has traditionally donated blood on the first Saturday after New Year’s Day as a way to honor Morris Weiss, who donated 22 gallons of blood during his lifetime. Since the tradition began, the Weiss/Parkers have donated approximately 153 gallons of blood for patients in need.

“For my sister and I, this is a fairly significant mitzvah—staying healthy to be able to provide lifesaving blood,” said Samuel Weiss, who has kept the tradition alive with his sister Elaine Parker since their father’s death just over 10 years after he launched the family donation day.

During World War II, Morris was recruited at a tank factory in St. Louis to come to Vanport to build ships.

“Part of the war effort was blood donations,” said Sam. “Part of our family legend is that our father originated mobile blood banks. Because of gas rationing and workers being so tired after their shift, he told the Red Cross, ‘If you come to the ship yard, people could donate as they go home.’ And they did that.”

“As he got older, he felt it would be nice as a family to do this as a living New Year’s resolution of the gift of life,” said Sam.

So in 1976, Morris and his children and adult grandchildren went to the Red Cross the Saturday after New Year’s Day to donate blood and then went out for breakfast. On the 10th year, the Red Cross added to the tradition by providing a sheet cake, which the family has shared each year with all blood donors who are at the center at the same time as the family.

This past New Year, 15 family members spanning three generations donated blood at the American Red Cross Portland Donor Center. Also in attendance was Sam’s great-granddaughter, who was too young to donate.

“As our children grew up, they learned donating blood is just something you do,” said Sam. “Our great-granddaughter was there … she will probably grow up thinking it is the thing to do.”

Growing up across the country from most of his relatives, having a large family means a lot to Sam.

“When I married Roberta Stern (Jerry Stern’s niece), I married into half of the Jewish population of Portland,” Sam joked.

Sam and Roberta added three daughters and six grandchildren to that population. Elaine and James Parker added six children and 10 grandchildren.

Now Sam volunteers as Certified Long Term Care Ombudsman assigned by the State of Oregon to Cedar Sinai Park (Rose Schnitzer Manor and Robison Jewish Health Center). He serves as an advocate for seniors on the CSP campus who need help with problems, issues and concerns of a personal nature or in relation to CSP. He noted many of the seniors at RSM and RJHC were adults or peers he knew growing up here.

“This is a chance for me to give to those who gave to me as I was growing up,” he said.

Proceeds from the breakfast ceremony honoring the family and other blood heroes support disaster relief, CPR/first aid training, and senior/disabled transportation services throughout the Oregon Trail Chapter’s seven-county service area.