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 2006 |
| | | Amber Swartz | | American Red Cross | | Heart of America Region | | ''I'm so proud to be a blood donor. I think if someone is able to give blood, then they should.'' |
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| | | Donald Tillson | | American Red Cross - Research Blood Program Holland Laboratory | | When asked why he continues to donate even after receiving his 39-gallon pin, he says, ''It's no problem, I make it myself." |
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| | | Jerry Spellman | | LifeSource - Chicagoland's Blood Center | | Chicago, IL | | ''I feel like I'm contributing. I like activities that teach students about life. I like to see people that I've helped helping others.'' |
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| | | John Kalaman | | Community Blood Center | | ''We thought the best way to honor our son and to keep his story in the hearts of the community was to set up an annual blood drive in his name.''
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| | | Judy Kees | | American Red Cross - Tri-City Donor Center | | Richland, WA | | ''My family is my biggest motivator to share the hope with people in my community. I truly believe in the gift of life through blood donations.'' |
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| | | Larry and Nadine Tindell | | Community Blood Center | | Topeka, KA | | ''We are committed to donating, recruiting, and each other.'' |
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| | | Lee Holloway | | UBS - Paradise Valley | | Paradise Valley | | ''After 11 years of fighting, cancer finally won the battle with my wife. Even though my primary inspiration is now gone, I realize the need is still great and it is heartwarming to hear the stories that are still out there.''
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| | | Marge Foster | | Shasta Blood Center | | Northern California | | ''It's the devoted group of volunteers that have kept this community alive through donating.'' |
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| | | Mark Smith | | Virginia Blood Services | | ''I like sponsoring blood drives. Giving blood is gender, income, and race neutral and the need is constant.''
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| | | Perry Rowles Sr. | | American Red Cross | | Greater Alleghenies Region | | ''I went to donate platelets with my dad, now my son donates with me.'' |
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| | | Rocky Snow | | American Red Cross | | Springfield, MA | | ''I love coming to the donation center every other Tuesday. It's truly a family that I fell a part of.'' |
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| | | Theresa Hile | | American Red Cross | | River Valley Blood Services Region | | ''I have, through my sweet niece, touched thousands of lives.'' |
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| | | Vance Buell | | Lane Memorial Blood Bank | | ''Thanks to Lane Memorial Blood Bank, our daughter Holly received the necessary treatment in 1998 to remain alive. It is my pleasure to now help you.'' |
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 2005 |
| | | Eric Guttensohn | | LifeSouth Community Blood Center | | Montgomery, AL | | The birth of his quadruplets was also the beginning of Eric Guttensohn's life as a dedicated blood donor. ''I tried to donate to my sons when they were first born, but couldn't give to them. At that point, I realized if others hadn't been donating blood, my sons wouldn't have any,'' recalls Eric. He's been repaying his debt of gratitude for almost 10 years, as an avid donor of whole blood and now platelets at LifeSouth Community Blood Center. Eric is also a wholehearted participant in making the community aware of the continuing need for blood products, and has convinced other family members to donate as well. ''Sometimes I'm donating for a specific person, a little girl with leukemia whose picture they posted in the donor room,'' he says. ''Most of the time, it's not specific and I'm just able to be glad to help like someone helped my boys when they needed it.'' About his Hall of Fame honor, he says: ''It's humbling in that I don't do anything but lie around and bleed for an hour. I don't believe I'm doing anything more than anyone should do.'' |
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| | | Earl Tanner and Family | | United Blood Services of Reno | | Reno, NV | | Earl Tanner leads by example. As a Marine in the Pacific theater during WWII, Earl saw first hand the need for blood donation and when he returned home, it just seemed a natural to become a blood donor. His wife Leila followed his lead, and together they inspired their children, and even their grandchildren to make regular blood donations a part of life. The Tanner Family, stretched across Louisiana and Texas, have a total of 542 donations--enough blood to fill a 55-gallon drum. Earl thinks his children keep giving because they want to beat his record 27 gallons. He hopes everyone will continue to give ''because there is such a great need for donations, and it doesn't hurt or take any time at all.''
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| | | Frank Knight | | Florida Blood Services | | Frank Knight is a cherished donor at the Florida Blood Services. His donation of more than 75 gallons of blood is almost as impressive as his contributions to recruiting new donors. A high school teacher for more than 20 years, Frank Knight regularly taught his students about the merits and the critical importance of blood donation. He has inspired many young people in his community to make blood donations part of their community service. ''I just tell them it is the most simple thing they'll ever do, but one of the most important things they can do,'' says Frank. ''I love to help people and giving blood is so easy that I don't expect a special honor. I am very pleased to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.'' |
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| | | George and Dan Kimm | | Donor at Houchin Community Blood Bank | | Bakersfield, CA | | True blood brothers, George and Dan Kimm together have donated more than 39 gallons of blood, 27 units of platelets and countless volunteer hours at the Houchin Community Blood Bank. They began donating early, and it became part of their lives, extending to George's three sons and Dan's two daughters as well. ''It's one way to help your fellow man and it's a commodity that's badly needed and irreplaceable right now,'' says George Kimm, who began his life of giving during the birth of his first child. Adds Dan Kimm: ''The only people who can provide the blood supply is human beings, so if everyone stopped donating, we'd really be in trouble. This is something nobody likes to do, but I don't mind needles and taking blood out.''
Both retired, they continue to give and modestly downplay their generous contribution to the community. ''Others deserve this honor more, there are a lot of other people who are spending more time and making greater sacrifices than we are. As you get older, you appreciate people who make sacrifices quietly!'' says George. |
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| | | Governor George Nigh | | Oklahoma Blood Institute | | As one of the founders of OBI, Nigh has been a regular blood donor and staunch supporter of blood donation for more than 25 years. Often participating in blood drives at his local church and bank, Governor Nigh also began blood drives at the Governor's office, which continue today. In addition, Governor Nigh began a special tradition of donating blood on his birthday every year, initiating a tradition at OBI called the Birthday Club, and encouraging others in the state to do the same. ''The question with blood donation is not why, but why not?'' said Nigh. ''It's one of the easiest donations one can make.'' |
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| | | John Kilbuck | | American Red Cross | | Northern California | | Retirement means a life of leisure for some; for 85-year-old John Kilbuck, it's meant having the time to donate platelets every other Monday morning for the past 15 years to the Pleasant Hill Blood Center. Some 320 donations later, John is known as a shining star at the American Red Cross Northern California Region, and well deserving of a place in the Fenwal Donation Hall of Fame. Having made his first donation 65 years earlier for a friend's father in need of a transfusion, he's always been aware of the value of blood donation.
''I can't spend my time any better than I can when making a blood donation,'' he says. ''It takes so little and it's the most satisfying thing I can do. Prospective donors should know that the pleasure one gets from helping far outweighs the minor discomfort and time spent.'' In fact, although very pleased with his induction into the Hall of Fame, he says: ''I get as much pleasure from making one donation as I have with this honor.'' |
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| | | Joe Schmidt | | Donor at Central Kentucky Blood Center | | This Purple Heart Army veteran possesses one of the most generous hearts in the Hall of Fame. Joe Schmidt makes a trip to the Central Kentucky Blood Center every two weeks to donate plasma and platelets. What started as a military mandate while serving his country at Ft. Bragg in the 1950's is now a passion for unselfishly giving life. His dedication to blood donation and recruitment of blood donors earned Joe the honor of being named a ''Kentucky Colonel,'' the highest award bestowed upon achievers in his state. Joe has filled more than 46 gallons of blood at the Central Kentucky Blood Center, is always first to respond when there's a local plea from a chronically ill neighbor, and he is an active local recruiter speaking on behalf of the blood center.
''I always ask people if they give,'' said Joe. ''I tell them they should get over to the blood bank or blood mobile right away and be screened. They should give, it only takes a few minutes.'' |
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| | | Jim Vliet | | Community Blood Services of Illinois | | As a man with a striking resemblance to Santa Claus, Jim Vliet knows full well the value of giving from the heart. The man known as Santa comes to the blood center with a pocket full of candy canes and the time to donate platelets or whole blood. A fixture on the blood center's holiday cards and PSAs, he uses his Santa-like demeanor to remind everyone, in the spirit of the holidays, to help those less fortunate. Since first donating in 1956 to help a friend who was in a serious accident, Jim has become increasingly involved at Community Blood Services, both as a multi-gallon donor, and as a member of the center's Regional Blood Center Committee, providing a constant supply of ideas on how to increase awareness of the need for blood in the community. Small wonder that by this point, ''the staff are like family.'' ''I donate for many reasons,'' says Jim. ''It's easy for me to do and many times my blood type is in short supply. It's the most unselfish thing you can do for others, the gift of life is too precious to keep to yourself.'' |
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| | | Neil Davidson | | American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services | | A little shy about his induction into the Hall of Fame, Neil Davidson recognizes the honor may help inspire future donors at the Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services facility. A faithful donor, Neil's goal is to find new ways to ''fill the donation cots.'' Neil has recorded many important milestones on behalf of blood donation: He has donated 348 times filling 31 gallons of whole blood and platelets as he continues to coordinate blood drives through his church several times a year, and works diligently to recruit apheresis and platelet donors. Neil's motivation is simple ''I enjoy the feeling that I am doing something important for the community and I find pleasure in helping a complete stranger.'' While Neil has been selfless in his commitment to blood donation, his dedication to cultivate new donors to save countless strangers is validated and renewed by the recent transfusion needs of two loved ones, his daughter-in-law and his church pastor.
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| | | Rodney Ford | | Oklahoma Blood Institute | | Rodney Ford always goes the extra mile to recruit new donors and share the gift of life. For more than 20 years, he has regularly donated blood or apheresis, volunteers at local blood drives and has logged thousands of miles on his bicycle for the opportunity to show just how much he believes in sharing life. In fact, Rodney is the only cyclist to complete all five of LifeSouth's Five Points of Life Rides, which raises awareness for the need for safe, ample blood supplies. His advice to new donors: ''It is so important for a healthy person to give blood because your body replenishes it so quickly it is like a check up and oil change.'' Rodney says it is an honor to be noticed for something so important: ''To me giving blood is so simple. Like riding my bicycle, giving blood doesn't cost me anything. I am blessed with good health and this is a simple way for me to help people with a great need.'' |
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| | | Susan DePippo | | Massachusetts General Hospital Blood Donor Center | | Although she had been a blood donor since she was old enough to first give, when Susan DePippo's granddaughter was stricken with leukemia, she found a personally compelling reason for giving. She organized a group of blood donors at her workplace, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, and continued to donate regularly herself over the eight months of her grandchild's illness.
Sadly, her granddaughter did not survive, but Susan's passion for blood donation has grown even stronger. Her workplace group has doubled in size over the past year due to her efforts, and travels to the Blood Center every eight weeks for donations, even the Commissioner has donated. ''I keep donating because of all the little children I saw at the hospital who need our blood,'' says Susan. ''There are so many that need help that you will never know, but if you give blood, they will know someone cares.'' |
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| | | Steven Hinsch | | Lane Memorial Blood Bank | | Eugene, OR | | Having passed up the chance to donate blood for an ailing grandparent when he was young, Steven Hinsch has more than compensated for his youthful thoughtlessness ever since. Twice a month, every month, for the past 13 years, he donates platelets at the Athens Donor Center in Georgia, becoming a member of the VIP Donor Club. But even that amount of dedicated time doesn't begin to tell Steven's commitment to platelet donation. As an Athens Clark County government worker, he attends almost every blood drive to talk about the critical need for platelets, serves as blood drive coordinator for his department, and promotes platelet donation every Friday on his radio call in show, urging listeners to go the Athens Donor Center with a cheery ''Tell them Steve sent you!''
He'll continue to give for many reasons, including ''a sense of community, to be a positive role model and to help someone less fortunate.'' He prefers to donate to a general fund--''it's an anonymity thing'' and urges potential blood donors to consider ''becoming one of the elite few able to make a difference. The selfless act you are considering is the essential part of a life saving, potentially life altering event. For those of us who can, donating blood products gives you a feeling that is rarely captured otherwise.''
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| | | Six Sisters: Maria Castro, San Juanita Gonzales, Matilda Gonzales, Norma Gonzales, Margie Moyet, Rebecca Moyet | | ARC-Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region | | Detroit | | While their beloved father battled lymphatic cancer, six sisters quickly learned the value of blood donation. Now, every month to honor their father, the sisters travel 45 minutes to give the gift of life at the American Red Cross center in South Eastern Michigan through apheresis donations. Together, these giving sisters are making a big difference in the lives of many.
''Being inducted into the Donation hall of Fame means a lot to us because for us, donation is so simple and we enjoy being together,'' explains Maria Castro, one of the sisters. ''We're doing this because it makes us feel good to think we saved a life and it doesn't have to be anyone we know, all life is important.''
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| 2004 |
| | | Bernard Brule | | ''Barnie, a lifesaver and a friend, has been donating at our hospital for over 50 years. He is very dependable and we can count on him to donate whenever we call'' - Jennifer Niden, Medical Technologist at Caritas Norwood Hospital. |
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| | | Dale Faughn | | ''Blood is my main biological interest. It provides me with an opportunity to give part of myself to make someone feel better.'' |
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| | | Don Weinmeister | | ''When I was president of the Lion's Club, I started by promoting one blood drive per year. With the involvement and great interest of the community we now have a drive every 56 day! This is a great way to serve our fellow mankind.'' |
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| | | Earle Walker | | ''Donating blood makes me feel like I've done something for humanity...saving and prolonging lives for others.'' |
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| | | George Harper | | ''To BloodSource and to the community, George Harper is a donor, a volunteer and a friend. He not only donates an exceptional amount of blood to patients in need, but thousands of volunteer hours for BloodSource, Shriner's club, Shriner's Hospital for Children and through active participation in the Chamber of Commerce'' - Leslie Botos, Director of Public Affairs at BloodSource. |
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| | | Greg Sears | | ''My daughter informed me that with my rare blood type I could help save the lives of patients with leukemia. Having lost a childhood friend to this disease, I can help save lives in his memory.''
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| | | Harry Geller | | ''What good is blood if you do not share it? After donating blood I get a sense of instant gratification knowing that someone will benefit.'' |
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| | | Kay Anderson | | ''Having been a nurse I have seen burn victims, cancer patients and children in need of blood. Now that I am a teacher, I have the opportunity to be a role model for our next generation of donors. Our students at Piper High School in Sunrise, Florida now conduct 5 blood drives per year and have contributed close to 10,000 pints of blood since 1985.''
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| | | Nick Staszak and Celeste Sanchez | | ''We are very excited to be part of the next generation of donors to promote blood donation. We really hope our experience will reach out to others to make a difference in the world.'' |
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| | | Robert Henneke | | ''Being a donor is a life-sustaining obligation on my part. The benefits far outweigh the needle stick.'' |
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| | | Richard Landtiser | | ''Richard became aware of the need for platelet donors and the difficulty recruiting for platelet apheresis. He felt it was a way he could best help. As well as being a very dedicated donor, he was an active volunteer in his community contributing more that 7,000 hours helping others. His outstanding achievements of service to his community will never be forgotten'' - Community Blood Center.
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| | | Steve Honey | | ''Donating blood is one simple way of making a big difference in the lives of others.'' |
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| | | Tommie Jurek | | ''I have cerebral palsy and am still able to donate blood without feeling any different. It allows me to have some hand in helping someone else.''
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| 2003 |
| | | Al Fischer | | Long Island Blood Services | | Westbury, NY | | 'I first donated blood in 1951. I now give every 8 weeks and have donated 283 pints. It makes me feel good to help other people in all walks of life.'
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| | | Dave Horton | | Lane Memorial Blood Bank | | Eugene, OR | | 'When I found out that a specific person was receiving my platelets, it gave a face to the need and made my giving even more important.'
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| | | Dave Weinstein | | South Florida Blood Banks | | West Palm Beach, FL | | 'In 1981 one of the residents in our community needed blood. I started knocking on doors asking people to donate. Then I thought, there's a better way to do this. . . let's start a blood drive. We now host six blood drives a year. Twice a year we host a 'Cavalcade of Stars' show to honor the blood donors.' |
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| | | Ethel Bontrager | | Donor at DeGowin Blood Center | | Iowa City, IA | | 'In all of life I really like to reach out and help people. It's a very easy thing to do and it is one way of showing your appreciation for your good health.' |
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| | | John Killen | | American Red Cross West Covina Donor Center | | West Covina, CA | | 'I would tell someone who was considering donating to ?Go for it!' It's an easy thing to do and it gives someone a chance at life.' |
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| | | John and Judy McCauley | | Shasta Blood Center of Blood Centers of the Pacific Redding | | Pacific Redding, CA | | 'John and I moved to Oregon a few years ago, but still made the 2 ½ hour drive to Shasta Blood Center to donate because we were so close to the people there. We have been donating there for 28 years and going there is like visiting family.'
- Judy McCauley
'Donating blood is one of the best things you can do to help someone else. I wish that everyone that could donate would - they could help a lot of people.'
- John McCauley |
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| | | Joseph Sherry | | St. Joseph Hospital Blood Donor Center | | Orange, CA | | 'We say prayers for the good health of people's souls. We give blood for the good health of people's bodies.' |
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| | | Jeff Smith and Theta Xi Fraternity | | Georgia Institute of Technology Donors at American Red Cross | | Atlanta, GA | | 'A big reason I started to donate, was because my dad was a donor. I've donated so much now, that I consider it my responsibility. I enjoy doing it and encourage others to donate by saying it doesn't take that long and it's a really great thing to do. It's become contagious now!.' |
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| | | Mike Fisher | | American Red Cross | | Salt Lake City, UT | | 'As one of the founders of the Cancer Wellness House, which provides non-clinical support for cancer patients and their families, I see the need for platelets first hand. I believe we are all connected and should always help others whenever we can.' |
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| | | Mary Jane Bostedt | | American Red Cross | | Green Bay, WI | | 'I became a donor because I just wanted to help people. I knew blood was needed. I've got plenty and I thought I would give it to help people that need it.' |
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| | | Paul Swadener | | Lane Memorial Blood Bank | | Eugene, OR | | 'I get a kick out of donating and over the years it has become a habit. It's easy and it's nice to do nice things for people.' |
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| | | Ronald Mathison | | Memorial Blood Centers | | Minneapolis, MN | | 'Donating is the easiest thing you can do and you feel good afterwards because you know you're doing something to help someone. It's part of my social life. I drive 58 miles each way to donate at the center. I know everyone there and like to visit with them.' |
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| | | Rick Wilson | | United Blood Services of Reno | | Reno, NV | | ''I have a bookmark on my refrigerator that reminds me why I donate: 'When you give platelets, you give another birthday, another date, another dance, another laugh, another hug, another chance.'' |
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| 2002 |
| | | Cecil Boone | | American Red Cross | | Roanoke, VA | | 'It is everyone's duty to help your fellow man. It doesn't cost anything, but a little time, and you are helping someone.'
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| | | Charles Mobley | | Memorial Hospital Blood Donor Center | | Colorado Springs, CO | | 'Donating platelets is one of the most important things I have done in my life. The platelets are so badly needed by critically ill people. I'll keep donating until I'm 100, if they'll take me.' |
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| | | Dallas Lincks | | LifeShare Blood Centers | | Shreveport, LA | | 'I have it and people need it. I hope someone else would do the same thing for me if I needed it.' |
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| | | Gary Ketchell | | Houchin Blood Bank | | Bakersfield, CA | | 'I am most proud of my kids following in my footsteps. My son, who is 18, started donating whole blood after 9/11 and my daughter, who is 25, has been donating platelets for years.' |
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| | | George Taylor | | Shasta Blood Center | | Redding, CA | | 'Donor George Taylor lives in a rural mountain community and drives the hour-long trip in all kinds of weather, including snow! George cares deeply about the kind of patients that get his special product and he treats our staff like family.' |
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| | | Joel Blitz | | UCLA Medical Center | | Los Angeles, CA | | 'I first donated on my birthday, March 7, 1963. It was my gift to someone unknown, and it really felt good. I have pretty much given every 56 days since, regardless of where I was. I have donated in New York; Baltimore, MD; Monterey, CA; Stuttgart, Germany, and of course the greater Los Angeles, CA area.' |
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| | | Jimmy Mehaffey | | ARC Columbus Donor Center | | Columbus, GA | | 'Blood is a necessary product for life. I'm happy to be able to assist another fellow human being. It's a great feeling knowing you've helped another person.' |
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| | | Linda Briggs | | UBS Reno | | 'Meeting the mother of one of the babies I donated blood for was a really awesome and emotional experience. When I give blood I give back a little bit of the life I have.' |
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| | | Richard Blackburn | | Barnes-Jewish Hospital | | St. Louis, MO | | 'Our three year old son, DJ, was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in 1982. During his therapy, we were faced with many instances where we had no choices regarding his care. I see my pheresis and bone marrow donations as giving families options in treatment that they might not otherwise have.' |
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| | | Roger Willis | | ARC New England Region | | Portland, ME | | 'I started donating blood in World War II when I was working in a munitions plant. The Navy wouldn't have me, so I did the next best thing.' |
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| | | Tony DeGirolamo | | San Pedro Peninsula Hospital | | San Pedro, CA | | 'Each one of us may have had a different turning point in our lives, when we began to be a giver - a disaster, a loss in the family - mine was both. In 1956 my family of seven survived the Andrea Doria sea disaster. I started to donate blood because I needed to thank the Lord for sparing our lives.' |
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| | | William McCoy | | Caritas Norwood Hospital | | Norwood, MA | | 'The lifeline of the world is blood and when it stops, so do we. Don't wait for another 9/11, blood is needed every day.' |
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| 2001 |
| | | Cecil N. Hall | | Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center | | Houston, TX | | 'I know the value of donating blood and can go at my leisure. There is a need for it in our community.'
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| | | Dutch Feuerstein | | North Colorado Medical Center | | Greeley, CO | | 'In 1957 my grandmother had surgery and needed blood. Back then, when you used one pint of blood, you had to replace two pints of blood, so my cousin and I donated. Afterwards I thought that wasn't so bad, I'll just keep donating!' |
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| | | James A Lowry | | American Red Cross Blood Services - Tennessee Valley Region | | Nashville, TN | | 'Donating blood doesn't hurt, doesn't take long and you may save a life!'
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| | | Jeff Skidmore | | Sacramento Medical Foundation | | Sacramento, CA | | 'When people ask me why I donate so much I say, 'Why not? Someday someone you love could need it!'' |
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| | | Linda Skidmore | | Sacramento Medical Foundation | | Sacramento, CA | | 'Donating blood doesn't hurt and it helps others. You've got it and someone else needs it!' |
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| | | Margaret Delfino | | Houchin Blood Services | | Bakersfield, CA | | 'Margaret Delfino has been a very regular donor with us since 1958. She has also recruited her children and grandchildren. It is so wonderful when she and her granddaughter come in together and donate.'
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| | | Marcelino Diaz | | Community Blood Bank | | Rancho Mirage, CA | | 'Donating blood makes me feel like I'm contributing to the community. I give something that is precious and can't be bought. I am saddened that more people don't donate.' |
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| | | Mark Smiley | | American Red Cross Blood Services - Daytona Beach District | | Daytona Beach, FL | | 'Donating blood is an easy way to help people and it makes me feel good.' |
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| | | Major Alfred E. Lounsbury | | Memorial Blood Centers of Minnesota | | Minneapolis, MN | | 'I heard about the need for blood and thought I'd give it a try. It didn't hurt so I got in the habit. It's a very good feeling to be helping humanity.'
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| | | Robert Leavitt | | American Red Cross Blood Services - New England Region | | Burlington, VT | | 'In December 2000, Robert Leavitt's car wouldn't start in the cold weather, so he walked over a mile to give blood that day. At age 78, that is dedication!' |
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| | | Russell A. Harrison | | American Red Cross Blood Services - Greater Alleghenies Region | | Johnstown, PA | | 'I started giving blood in honor of my mother. She had leukemia and needed transfusions every 56 days. Two days before she passed away, she told me to keep giving blood. It may not have saved her life, but it might help save others.' |
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| | | Rev. William Floyd Benfield | | The Blood Donor Center of Cape Fear Valley Health System | | Fayetteville, NC | | 'When I was in college my mother had a kidney problem that required frequent transfusions. I started donating to replace the blood she was using.' |
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| 2000 |
| | | Clarence Ledbetter | | Oklahoma Blood Institute | | Oklahoma City, OK | | 'Donating platelets is one of the best things a person can do to help someone else. It is a privilege to be involved with helping patients in need.' |
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| | | Dr. John Bunyan Clark | | American Red Cross Tennessee Valley Region | | Nashville, TN | | 'I drive 84 miles each way to donate platelets at the American Red Cross. I have driven over 70,000 miles at my own expense to donate whole blood and platelets. I do this in order to keep people alive.' |
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| | | Dr. Leonard Naeger | | Barnes-Jewish Hospital | | St. Louis, MO | | 'A child who received my platelets drew me a picture of a sun and rainbow and wrote 'Thank you for caring.' That picture has been on my desk since the early 1980s and inspires me to keep donating.' |
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| | | Dr. Rhett T. George, Jr. | | American Red Cross Carolinas Region | | Durham, NC | | 'I teach at Duke University and can do work while I'm donating. I've read countless numbers of master's theses while in the chair.' |
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| | | Gerald Matteson | | American Red Cross North Central Blood Services | | St. Paul, MN | | 'Donating platelets is very simple, very relaxing and the people are very nice. If you can do it, why not? You can give life to someone else.' |
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| | | Guy A. Kirton, Jr. | | Medic Regional Blood Center | | Knoxville, TN | | 'I'm the world's biggest coward when it comes to needles, but if we are blessed with good health, we need to give something back to those who are less fortunate.' |
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| | | Jessie Dishman | | Community Blood Center of the Ozarks | | Springfield, MO | | 'When people start giving excuses about not donating, I say this, 'When you know that people's lives are depending on you, you just do it!' |
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| | | Jason Harvey | | American Red Cross Appalachian Region | | Roanoke, VA | | 'Donating 24 times a year is a habit that I got into. Someone always needs platelets.' |
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| | | Joe Miranda | | American Red Cross West Covina Donor Center | | West Covina, CA | | 'If someone in your family needed platelets, you would donate them, but what if you couldn't? If you would do it for your immediate family, why not do it for others? It is a simple, easy way to help people in need and give others a second chance at life.' |
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| | | Phil Hoaglund | | Lifesource Blood Services Lake Zurich Donor Center | | Lake Zurich, IL | | 'I enjoy donating platelets. It is a charity that I can afford. I'd rather give them than have to receive them.'
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| | | T. Claude Davis | | American Red Cross Greater Alleghenies Region | | Johnstown, PA | | 'The satisfaction that I get from donating makes it really worthwhile.' |
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| 1999 |
| | | Albert Lee | | ARC - Tri-State Region - Keystone Center | | Parkersburg, WV | | 'Back in 1944, the niece of a friend was in the hospital having a baby and she needed blood. That was the first time I donated. In the 50's I started to donate regularly because I thought it was a good idea, in case I ever needed it.' |
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| | | Bill Hall | | Memorial Blood Centers of Minnesota | | Minneapolis, MN | | 'Donating blood is a way for me to share my God-given gift of good health with someone who needs it.' |
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| | | Clinton H. 'Whitie' Roderick | | York Hospital Blood Donor Center | | York, PA | | 'I hope I can keep giving until they close the lid on the casket. I enjoy doing it, I never feel bad.'
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| | | Eva Eckmann | | Blood Bank of Alaska | | Anchorage, AK | | 'I became a regular donor in 1971 after I received information on donating from the blood center. Once I start something, I stay with it.' |
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| | | Edward J. Haag | | Houchin Blood Bank | | Bakersfield, CA | | 'I started donating in 1955 because a friend of mine needed blood. I still donate because it is something that I am able to do for my fellow man. It saves lives.' |
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| | | George H. Klinkerfuss, M.D. | | Community Blood Center of the Ozarks | | Springfield, MO | | 'When I was in medical school, the local hospital would pay $25 for a unit of blood. I started donating every six weeks; using the money to help pay for school. Afterwards, I saw the need and kept donating.' |
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| | | John W. Hosier | | Donor Community Blood Center | | Dayton, OH | | 'When I was 16 years old my friends and I donated on a dare. When I told my father about it, he said why don't you keep doing it, so I did.' |
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| | | Jim Roberts | | Stanford Medical School Blood Center | | Palo Alto, CA | | 'Being inducted into the Whole Blood Hall of Fame gives me a sense of satisfaction. Not only do I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have helped hundreds of patients, but I also have the satisfaction of knowing that it is appreciated.' |
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| | | Moton H. Crockett, Jr. | | Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas | | Austin, TX | | 'If you can donate, you are one of the lucky people--it is your civic duty.' |
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| | | Richard A. Playter | | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Blood Center | | Houston, TX | | 'I was in high school during WWII and there were not enough blood donors. Donating blood was something I could do to help the war effort.'
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| | | Wayne E. Blaschke | | Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center | | Houston, TX | | 'In this day of waning altruism, Wayne E. Blaschke has donated every eight weeks for 22 straight years. He has demonstrated an enviable dedication to the health and welfare of other human beings.' --John Drury |
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| | | William L. Painter | | Community Blood Center | | Kansas City, MO | | 'I'd encourage everyone to donate. It seems like a logical thing to do. I really don't know why more people don't donate, as simple as it is to do.'
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| | | Bille Beeney | | American Red Cross - Heart of America Region | | Peoria, IL | | 'Bille Beeney is not only a dedicated apheresis donor, he is also a Red Cross volunteer driver. Many times Bille has been known to go straight from the donor room bed to driving his route. He is very committed to serving the needs of our area patients.' |
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| | | C. Carroll Burley | | American Red Cross - South Carolina Region | | Columbia, SC | | 'Charles Burley was not only one of the first apheresis donors in South Carolina, he has proven to be one of the most dedicated and committed. He has served on several advisory committees and has helped promote the program throughout the community.'
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| | | Dennis Rehmer | | American Red Cross - Connecticut Region | | Farmington, CT | | 'Many times the request for blood products comes with very short notice. In a situation such as this, the apheresis scheduler will call Dennis Rehmer and he is always right there for us.'
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| | | Frank Woodall | | American Red Cross - Monroe Drive Blood Center | | Atlanta, GA | | 'The need is still greater than the number of donors. Anyone who is in good health should donate. It's a piece of cake. ' |
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| | | Johnnie Matz | | Community Blood Center | | Kansas City, MO | | 'I donated quite a bit for a little boy with leukemia. When he died, his parents sent a card to thank me for what I'd done. Since then, I vowed never to turn down anyone who needed blood. If I can go, I'll go.'
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| | | Dr. James Nohe | | American Red Cross - NY-Penn Region | | Buffalo, NY | | 'Apheresis donation is a natural thing to do and a wonderful way to help people with just a bit of your time. I'll do it as long as they'll take me!'
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| | | J.W. Wood | | Carter Blood Care | | Dallas, TX | | 'Our most dedicated donor is J.W. Wood, who in the past, has had to rely on friends and family to bring him to our center. Due to failing eyesight, J.W. would sit for the entire donation without being entertained by a movie...everyone looks forward to seeing him every two weeks.'
--Elizabeth Stubbs
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