Just Your Type - Meet the Mobile Manager

Meet the Mobile Manager

As the Blood Bank of Hawaii mobile manager, Karen Nonaka spends her days making sure that the blood drive at your office, building or facility runs smoothly.

Bringing an entire nursing staff and the equipment necessary to collect lifesaving blood donations, while adhering to the highest standards of safety, is no easy task. But nineteen years of nursing experience at Blood Bank of Hawaii has prepared her for the job.

According to Nonaka, simple things like visible directional signs, access to clean rest rooms, and good ventilation or air conditioning make a big difference in a donor’s overall experience. “We usually visit new locations ahead of time to make sure it’s conducive to hosting a drive,” she said.

“Simple things like visible directional signs, access to clean rest rooms, and good ventilation or air condition- ing make a big difference in a donor’s overall experience.”

“Our main goal is make sure that donors have a safe and positive experience while saving lives," Nonaka said. “I work closely with Lifesaver Club coordinators and BBH field representatives to address their concerns and present solutions to any challenges that come up.”

Nonaka is a licensed practical nurse who enjoys knitting and watching baseball. Since she joined the Blood Bank in 1986, she has worked as a phlebotomist and apheresis specialist.