Volunteer Spotlight: Arnetta Jefferies
Meet Arnetta Jefferies.
Arnetta is a firm believer in the importance of giving back and helping others. We interviewed her about what motivates her to volunteer at There Goes My Hero.
Tell us about yourself.
I love God! I am a very spiritual person. The youngest of five and very much a free spirit. A kid at heart. My personality is very eclectic, but I like to go with the flow. I am a dreamer and a thinker. Professionally, I have over ten years of experience in the Gaming and Hospitality industry. I am a business owner and building an empire. I am a Morgan State University alumna. Go Bears! I enjoy mentoring tremendously, being around good people (especially my family), and experiencing different cultures through food, reading, learning, loving, laughing, and expanding mentally. Crabs are my favorite food. Poker and spades are my favorite card games.
When did you begin volunteering at There Goes My Hero, and what motivated you to come back?
I began volunteering with There Goes My Hero back in 2010. I recently became more active because there is still work to be done. The scheduling of events and volunteer opportunities has become easier to fit into my schedule these days so expect to see a lot more of me!
Why do you volunteer at There Goes My Hero?
I volunteer with There Goes My Hero simply because it could be me. Each year, almost 58,000 people die of blood cancer. Blood cancer patients’ survival rate can improve if they receive a blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant from someone who is on the bone marrow donor registry that is match. When I heard that a match is most likely to come from someone of the same race or ethnicity as yourself, that put a fire under me. Immediately, I knew outreach and adding as many people as possible to the registry is key. That has been my mission.
What was your favorite volunteering experience at There Goes My Hero?
In September, we cooked dinner for the cancer patients and their caregivers at Johns Hopkins Hackerman-Patz Patient and Family Pavilion. It was an extremely touching and emotional experience. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As the line started to form and plates were being served, I was in total awe at how outwardly grateful everyone was. I’d never heard so many thank yous in my life! It was an honor to even be able to do such a small thing to support their journey. I could see and feel the camaraderie as one patient talked about having to fly in to get treatment. We made jokes and shared laughs. Spirits were high and everyone was gracious. You could not tell some people were fighting for their lives. I saw how that dinner was such a blessing and I’ve decided that I will go back and provide another dinner at my expense.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering with There Goes My Hero?
DO IT! We would love to have you! It doesn’t cost anything but a little bit of your time here and there. The staff is wonderful! It’s a great opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. You don’t want to miss a chance to make a MAJOR impact in this world. People’s lives depend on us to spread the word and swab cheeks. If that is truly just too much to ask, no worries. You can also show your support by sending in a donation and sharing the information with a friend, family member, co-worker, or complete stranger. Either way, let’s get it done!
Want to volunteer with There Goes My Hero? Sign up here or email andrea@theregoesmyhero.org to learn more about the different ways you can be a Hero.