Los Gatos Friends 'Thicker Than Blood'

Why would someone voluntarily give up two and half hours of their time every few months to be pricked by a needle, have blood drawn from their body causing discomfort as platelets are spun out and then watch the vital fluid returned to their person?

Because the precious gift could save a person's life, according to Los Gatos residents Linda Swenberg and Michelle Abene.

These sister friends have been donating platelets regularly at Stanford for several years—their contribution considered an important tool medical doctors have to help those undergoing treatment for serious health problems such as leukemia and cancer.

Swenberg has been donating since the late 1990s.

At first, she began her selfless act thinking that it was a good thing to do for others, while at the same time having a little bit of time off from her busy life at home with three young children.  

Then a dear friend of hers was diagnosed with leukemia. The true importance of donating hit her hard when she found out that she was a match for her friend, so she started donating more often.

When Abene moved to Los Gatos in 2005, she didn’t know anyone. She met Swenberg and they quickly became good friends.

Soon after meeting, Swenberg asked Abene if she wanted to join her at Stanford. Abene said yes and they have been donation buddies ever since. After the procedure, the women often treat themselves to a nice lunch.

“Basically it takes a whole day by the time you drive up to Stanford, donate, have lunch and drive home, yet we have been doing it for years and enjoy the experience every time,” says Abene. 

“I look forward to donating because it is time to relax, it is a very positive experience and the staff at Stanford takes good care of you,” says Swenberg.

While there, the women say they are surrounded by people who are doing good for others and feel special participating. Abene calls it a “reward for having a healthy life.”

Abene said that donating at first was “a little scary because they actually remove your blood, spin the platelets out and then return the blood to your body.”

Abene, originally from New Jersey, feels blessed to be part of the Los Gatos community. For the past four years, she has done fundraising and walked the 60-Mile Three-Day Susan G. Komen Breast Walk for a Cure in San Francisco.

Abene has three children and volunteers at their schools: , and  

When she is not busy taking care of her family and managing her family’s real estate business, she serves as vice president and board member of the Art Docents of Los Gatos, a cause close to her heart.

Abene also loves the game of chess and has facilitated a free chess club for elementary-aged children at her house, teaching skills and running tournaments every Tuesday. 

Swenberg, originally from New York, moved to Los Gatos in 1995 to take a job at Apple. She also has kids at Blossom Hill, Fisher, and Los Gatos High.

Now she devotes herself to numerous volunteer activities. She is one of the lead vocal directors for the annual elementary school play. She is also a vocal director for the and president of the summer swim team at

Swenberg has also served for the last two years as board member and secretary for Blossom Hill Home and School Club and is part of the site councils at Blossom Hill and Fisher. She devotes many hours each year helping the Los Gatos High School Marching Band as a member of the Music Boosters. 

In addition, Swenberg is a Dartmouth College alum and during the winter and spring months, she spends up to 30 hours a week as the volunteer district enrollment director, coordinating all interviews and enrollment activities for Northern California prospective Dartmouth College students.