Young Professional Group: Molly Barari

Molly Barari, Donor Recruitment Representative for Vitalant

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Kearney, Nebraska, where I graduated from University of Nebraska at Kearney with a journalism degree. After visiting the Black Hills a few times and falling in love with the area, I moved to Rapid City in 2008. Now, after 12 years here, Rapid City feels like home. My husband David and I enjoy hiking and exploring the beautiful Black Hills in our free time.

What's important in your personal life?

It’s important to me to never stop learning. I have an MFA from Wilkes University in creative writing, and I’m working on a doctorate from University of South Dakota in Adult & Higher Education. I teach a life story writing class for adults, and helping them craft their stories is incredibly fulfilling.

Talk about your job.

I work at Vitalant, the local blood donation center at 2209 W. Omaha St., as a Donor Recruitment Representative. It’s my favorite place I’ve ever worked, because I love the fact that I’m making a difference in the community every single day. We have a consistent need for whole blood, platelet and plasma donations, and we require all blood types to meet patient needs. Vitalant is open seven days a week, and walk-ins are welcome.

When you draw blood from people, does it get sent to a local hospital?

Vitalant is part of a national network of blood centers, which is great because we can send blood wherever it’s most needed. We send blood to local hospitals, as well as hospitals across the nation. Many people don’t know that one blood donation can save up to three lives.

What YPG events have you participated in?

I have only participated in a few YPG mixers so far, because then the pandemic hit. What I loved about the mixers was getting to meet a variety of people from different fields. I learned something new from each person I met! I also got to meet more YPG members when they donated blood as a group here at our Rapid City Center in June. YPG members are selfless, and we really appreciated them giving back to the community and helping us save lives.

I look forward to meeting new people through the Young Professionals Group, and I’m always up for a cup of coffee and conversation. Cheers!