Sisters in service

From the outside looking in, Maria and her younger sister Gabriela seem almost inseparable. They share meals several times a week and can often be found out and about together, laughing over things only sisters understand. But the closeness they share today wasn’t always there. Their bond, now steady, strong, and built on shared values, grew over time, shaped by life experiences and a mutual desire to give back.

“We weren’t always this close,” admits Maria with a gentle smile. “I moved out when she was only 10 years old, so we didn’t grow up side by side. But as adults, we found our way back to each other. And now, I can’t imagine life without her being right next door.”

That reconnection deepened as both sisters stepped into roles rooted in service. “With our age difference, we were in different worlds growing up,” Gabriela says. “But as adults, we found our way to each other in a really meaningful way.”

What makes their story remarkable is not just their relationship, but the way their lives now intertwine. Gabriela donates plasma regularly and leads community initiatives through Kings Partnership in Kings County, while Maria is the Centre Quality Manager at Octapharma Plasma, Inc. (OPI)’s donation centre in Tulare, California. Their paths are different, but their purpose is shared. “Helping others is something we learned because people helped us,” Maria says. “That’s where everything starts for us – with gratitude.”

“Even if you don’t have much, you can still give something – your time, your kindness, your support,” Gabriela explains. “That’s what our parents taught us, and it guides everything I do.”

Learning the value of kindness

The sisters grew up in a family that at times had to rely on community support to get by. Local food pantries and neighbourhood resources were part of their experience, and the kindness of others often helped bridge challenging moments – experiences which nurtured understanding and compassion.

“When you grow up receiving support from your community, you learn just how meaningful even a small act of kindness can be,” Maria reflects. “It stays with you.”

Gabriela remembers those moments vividly. “I’ll never forget police officers handing out toys or churches offering food. Those experiences shaped how I see giving - they made me want to be someone who helps.”

Those early lessons guided both sisters, though in different but deeply connected ways.

Connected by plasma donation

Gabriela began donating plasma at 18, long before Maria joined OPI. She was nervous at her first appointment but determined to contribute. The staff made her feel comfortable, and once she learned who could benefit from her plasma – patients with immune deficiencies, severe burns, haemophilia, and other life-threatening conditions – she kept coming back.

“Donating became a way for me to give back when I didn’t have money or time to spare,” Gabriela says. “It felt good to know something small from me could mean something big for someone else.”

“The beauty of plasma donation,” Maria explains, “is that it’s simple for the donor but life-changing for the patient.” She hopes more people will understand just how meaningful the process is. “My message to first-time donors is: ‘Try it. Even the smallest contribution can make a big difference.’”

Part of the global Octapharma Group, OPI operates more than 180 donation centres across the USA. Millions of plasma donations are collected each year, going on to play a critical role in the supply of life-saving therapies worldwide. OPI’s vision is clear: to improve the quality of life of everyone we serve through the life-changing power of plasma.

For Maria, that vision is deeply personal. As an OPI Centre Quality Manager, she ensures every step follows strict regulatory guidelines, from screening donors to processing donations to maintaining spotless, reliable equipment. “I enjoy structure,” she says. “Quality is about making sure everyone is safe - donors, staff, and, ultimately, the patients who will receive therapies made from plasma.”

Seeing her own sister in the donor chair adds an extra layer of meaning to her work. “I feel incredibly proud,” she says. “Knowing my sister is part of the vision we work on every day - it means everything.”

Gabriela shares that pride. “Even though our careers are different, we’re working toward the same thing - helping people live healthier lives.”

Sisterhood strengthened by service

In 2025, the grand opening of the Tulare plasma donation centre became a defining moment for Maria and her sister Gabriela – a day that brought their shared values of service, gratitude, and community into sharp focus. Maria had spent months ensuring every system and standard was ready. But on opening day, she stood in the audience as Gabriela stepped onto the stage to share her experience as a donor and the reasons she gives back.

“Hearing her speak filled me with pride,” Maria recalls. “She talked of wanting to help others because people once helped us, and it reminded me why my work matters.”

For Gabriela, the moment held deep personal meaning. “Being invited to share my story was an honour,” she says. “And it underlined for me just how our paths have come together with real purpose.”

The sisters draw strength from each other, offering encouragement through challenges and celebrating their successes. “We remind each other to stay positive and keep growing,” Maria says.

“My sister inspires me just by being who she is,” Gabriela adds. “We lift each other up in everything we do.”

Theirs is a story of sisterhood strengthened by service - two lives woven together by compassion and a shared commitment to making a difference. Knowing that their work helps people they will never meet gives Maria a profound sense of purpose. “Whether I’m ensuring quality or Gabriela is donating or inspiring others - we’re helping people around the world. And that’s a powerful feeling.”