Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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Vinton
I have been donating blood since I was a Senior in high school. For the past 35 years, I have donated more than 16 gallons of whole blood, and I just recently started donating platelets. Every time I complete a donation, I have an overwhelming sense of satisfaction as I think about how I’m helping others. Knowing that my efforts will not only help save others’ lives, but also provide them and their families opportunities to experience so many more moments together in all of their lives, inspires me to give more.
I’m even more motivated now to share my story of donating across most of the United States to inspire others find it in their hearts to donate blood or platelets too.
Here’s an overview of my blood donating story:
I used to have a regular routine, giving blood every other month at our local fire hall. Fifteen years ago, I began traveling a lot more for work and had to find a way to maintain my consistent blood donations. So, I started donating when I was eligible in whichever state I was traveling in for work or for a vacation. A few years later, I realized that I had already given blood in 16 different states. It was at that time that I set a goal to donate whole blood at least once in all 50 states. At this time, I have now donated blood in 45 different states … only Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and Hawaii are left.
As I mentioned, my commitment to donate regularly has now expanded into donating platelets. After completing one platelet donation last year, I have set a new goal of also donating platelets in all 50 states! As of today, I’ve donated platelets in eight states (PA, MD, CO, NE, OH, VA, DE, FL).