Ellen DiSalvo’s experience in the blood bank industry began in Nebraska and ended up in Hawaii, where she worked at the Blood Bank of Hawaii on the Donor Center side of operations. This led her to her current position with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank as the Vice President of Nebraska Operations. The Nebraska Community Blood Bank was founded by the Lancaster County Medical Society in 1968. Since then, they’ve been Connecting People ~ Saving Lives each day for patients of Nebraska and across the nation who depend on us and our blood donors for life-saving blood products. In 2012, they formed a new regional blood center, Innovative Blood Resources, with Memorial Blood Centers in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have three children and a granddaughter. My oldest daughter, Becky, recently moved back to Nebraska from Florida. Even though she lives in Scottsbluff, we still get to see each other often. My son, Dominic, lives in Lincoln with his beautiful daughter, Isabella. My youngest, Angie, also lives in Lincoln, so family dinners are pretty common.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The biggest turning point would definitely be going to Hawaii. I left a job of 22 years to go to a completely different sector of the blood banking industry. Overall, it was nice to experience a new side of industry that has turned into an ideal career.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy working in the yard, getting stuff done around the house and going to movies. All these things help me unwind and relax.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I saw the Beatles live in 1964. I was still in grade school and my aunt took me with my cousin. I was a huge fan so it’s kind of my claim to fame!
What are you the most proud of? – My children. It’s great to see them turn into such wonderful adults.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Probably to think before you speak. It never hurts to take a step back at times and hold your tongue.
How would your friends describe you? – I’m sure they would say I’m pretty easy going. I don’t fluster easily and I’m pretty goal oriented, so I guess they could also say driven.
Which talent would you most like to have? – It might be random, but I’ve always wanted to be able to play the fiddle. I don’t really know why, I just think it would be fun.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? – I have a tendency to take things too personally. Through my experiences, I’m getting better, but I would still like to let things roll off my back a bit more.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Room by Emma Donoghue
What is your favorite movie? – Slumdog Millionaire
What is your favorite TV show? – I Survived on the Biography channel
What is your favorite Lincoln restaurant? – Brix and Stone
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Pope John Paul II. I think eventually he will be a saint and the fact that he was alive in our lifetime makes him even more interesting. I think we could have a great conversation.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – edisalvo@ncbb.org or www.ncbb.org.