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Meet Our 2026 Volkswagen Finalists!

 

June 5 - 7 Special Event Finalist: Phoenix Fan Fusion Blood Drive
Wesley Golding (Scottsdale), 10-Time Donor

Wesley is devoted to helping people, so as soon as he turned 16, he was anxious to donate at his Paradise Valley High School blood drive. He has always wanted to work in the medical field, and after graduation, attended EMT school until the pandemic prevented in-person training. Wesley gives blood whenever he can and specifically makes it a point to donate in costume at the Phoenix Fan Fusion blood drive every year. “It is lovely to be able to help people,” he says. “I know it saves lives, especially for those with trauma.” Wesley grew up in Arizona. Recently engaged, he and his fiancé are planning a summer 2027 wedding. He currently works as a maintenance technician and hopes to continue his education to become a life coach or therapist soon within a few years.

May 22 - June 27 Finalist: Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center Blood Drive
Patrick Mace (Sun City), 9-Time Donor

When Patrick’s mother-in-law became ill and required lifesaving transfusions, he was grateful that she received blood through the kindness of strangers and became a regular donor. “Most everyone has had a family member or a friend who has had cancer or another trauma,” he reflected. “When tragedy strikes, it is better to be proactive.” Patrick has fond memories of the Volkswagen line. When he met his wife, she drove 68 VW Beetle, and years later, he taught his daughter to drive in the same bug. Shortly after being drawn as a finalist, he had a dream that he won the Vitalant prize Volkswagen. So, it’s not surprising that he plans to give the Taos to his daughter if he wins. Patrick served in the Army, then worked 27 years in sales before retiring in Arizona.

July 5 Special Event Finalist: Saving Arizona Blood Drive
Jarrett Stratton (Glendale), 12-Time Donor

Jarrett’s first donation with Vitalant was during the COVID pandemic. An avid Arizona Cardinals fan, he received an email from the team announcing a community blood drive at the stadium and was anxious to help. He thought of his cousin who had severe pancreatitis and passed away from organ failure before the bleeding could be stopped. His Vitalant donations are always given with his mom as a special way to spend time together. “I wish more people would donate,” says Jarrett. “People find time for things they enjoy – it is so simple to do.” He is excited to be a Volkswagen finalist, as he currently drives a 2008 Jeep Commander that gets seven miles per gallon. Jarrett is single and self-employed with dreams of one-day becoming a drone pilot.
 

June 28 – Aug. 5 Finalist: Glendale Donor Center
Bryan Vergel (Peoria), 12-Time Donor

Bryan first became a blood donor in California with his group of work buddies who enjoyed helping people by giving back. They would go to a donor center or look for a nearby blood drive and roll up their sleeves together. “If one of my kids was in a trauma, I would be depending on others to give,” exclaimed Bryan. “I give now to help other families and put myself in their shoes.” Brian is married and the proud father of five kids, ages 5 to 23. He works as the director of sales for an immigration law firm. Bryan’s truck had been in the shop for weeks when his name was drawn, but if he wins, he plans to give the VW to his parents. “Giving blood is an amazing cause,” he emphasized.
 

Aug. 6 - Sept. 11 Finalist: Sun City Fire and Medical Dept. Blood Drive
Matthew O'Reilly (Sun City), 14-Time Donor

Matthew has dedicated his life to service. He is heavily involved in his church and has worked in the medical field for 20 years. First, he served as a Navy medic, then as an ambulance EMT, and now, as a fire captain. “I’ve been on calls where trauma patients needed immediate transfusions of multiple blood products to survive,” said Matthew. “Giving blood is one of the easiest ways to give back.” He married his high school sweetheart and they have four children. If he wins the Volkswagen, he plans to give it to his mother-in-law, who drives a 27-year-old vehicle.
 

May 22 - Sept. 11 Teen Donor Finalist: EVIT - Main Campus Blood Drive
Amber Silverberg (Mesa), 2-Time Donor

Amber thought it would be fun and cool to donate to help people, so she gave blood the first time during her senior year at the Red Mountain High School drive. She graduated and is now in her second year of EMT school at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT). Through fire science, Amber has discovered how much donating blood saves lives. “I’ve learned how little blood we have and how little it takes to pass away,” Amber emphasized. ‘It’s about helping people in many ways.” She dyed her hair (Vitalant) purple just a few days before giving blood at EVIT and was drawn as our teen donor finalist one week later. “It’s a sign,” she exclaimed. Maybe a new Volkswagen is in her cards.

May 22 - Sept. 11 Automated Donor Finalist: Summit Healthcare Reg. Med. Ctr. Blood Drive
Ida Kitcheyan (Whiteriver), 3-Time Donor

Ida was looking for something good to do on the MLK Day of Service, so she decided to donate blood for the first time. She was reflecting on her relative who had passed away unexpectedly. The family had recently received a letter from the donor network thanking them for the 17 patients who had been recipients of their family member’s organs. It seemed like the perfect day for Ida to honor her family member in remembrance. Ida lives on the reservation in Whiteriver and donates blood whenever she can. “I enjoy doing something good to help both myself and others,” she said. Ida is in her junior year at Northern Pioneer College, studying sociology and is interested in becoming a caregiver. She is married and has three granddaughters.
 

May 22 - Sept. 11 Goal-Marking Coordinator Finalist: Cannon and Wendt Blood Drive
Windy Combs (Mesa), 16-Time Donor

Windy believes that donating blood is truly one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to give back. That is why she volunteered to serve as the blood drive coordinator for Cannon and Wendt, a commercial electrical company. “I have coworkers who battled leukemia as children and might night be here today without blood donations,” Windy reflected. She also volunteers with the 100 Club, where she sees how donated blood helps save officers who have been critically injured in the line of duty. She earned her spot in the grand prize ceremony when she achieved 150% of her summer blood drive goal. “Cannon and Wendt is dedicated to supporting the community,” Wendy said. “It’s a joint effort - we make sure both power and blood is there when needed. She is married with one son.
 

May 22 - Sept. 18 Bonus Entry Online Finalist: Saving Arizona Blood Drive
Nephi Lawlor (Mesa), 145-Time Donor

The first time Nephi gave blood, he was serving as a missionary in Mexico and donated to help a fellow missionary who needed blood. He was reminded of the importance of a ready blood supply when his daughter hemorrhaged during childbirth and required several transfusions. Nephi has lived in Arizona for 77 years and met his wife, Carol Lee, while attending Mesa Community College. They beam with pride over their 6 children, 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. They often donate blood together. “We know it is lifesaving,” Nephi expressed. They have faithfully registered their VW Bonus Entry Cards every summer and are excited at the possibility of replacing their 20-year-old car with a new Volkswagen.
 

May 22 - Sept. 18 Bonus Entry Showroom Raffle Box Finalist: Surprise Donor Center
Darrell Stachler (Sun City West), 108-Time Donor

Dedicated to saving lives, Darrell donated whole blood once and platelets seven times during the Volkswagen raffle. He first became a donor during the 1960’s while serving in the Navy, and upon discharge from active duty, he continued donating at his workplace blood drives. “Cancer patients and people having surgery need the platelets,” Darrell emphasized. “My daughter had breast cancer and required multiple transfusions over two years.” Darrell worked in the utilities field for 40 years. Upon retirement, he and his wife travelled from Ohio as snowbirds across the country, before eventually settling in Sun City West. They have four grown children and seven grandkids.