PEOPLE OF INTEREST
Name: Cynthia Marie Jorgensen
Age: 61
Residence: Vero Beach. Born in
Baltimore
People
Family: Husband, Peter
Jorgensen; daughter, Stefanie;
two grandchildren
Education: State University of
New York
Who is your greatest inspiration:
As far as a public figure, it would
be Jane Goodall or Jimmy Carter. Becoming a grandmother
three years ago has become a daily inspiration to be active in
environmental and social issues.
What most people don’t know about me: I have traveled
extensively through Europe, walked the Cotswolds Way from
Stratford-Upon-Avon to Bath, spent two summers in Tanzania
volunteering in a small village hospital and school, and
am going to Cambodia for spring break.
ED DRONDOSKI
Cynthia Jorgensen’s students run four blood drives at VBHS each year, collecting
more than 200 units each time.
period.” Vero Beach High School Principal Shawn O’Keefe
shares her pride. “We are so proud of our HOSA program
students and our two outstanding instructors, Mrs. Jorgensen
and Mrs. Livings. In the program our students not only
become industry certified, but they learn their way around
our local health-care community. Our VBHS blood drive
efforts collect and contribute lifesaving assets to the healthcare
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system at critical times of the year. Our students make us
proud, and the support of our instructors, school district, and
community partners make this all possible.”
Jorgensen debunks the myth that someone can wait to give
blood until it is needed by a loved one. “For any given emergency
or chronic condition, blood banks must be pre-stocked.
... Donating blood is a true gift of life, usually to an anonymous
person whose life will continue because of the donor.
It’s a bit of immortality, isn’t it?”
Jorgensen is also an active member of the Social Justice
Committee at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero
Beach in the Fair Trade Corner, “a shop that stocks items
... made by small businesses in Third-World countries that
provide a fair wage for workers.”
/www.mccallagencyinc.com