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12-19-2012, 11:25am
David Russell has donated his 100th gallon of blood Tuesday.
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 18, 2012
ORANGE COUNTY -- David Russell joined an elite group of people Tuesday when he donated his 100th gallon of blood.
The Chuluota resident has affected the lives of at least 2,400 patients during his blood donating career. Russell is one of only a dozen active blood donors at Florida’s Blood Centers who have donated 100 gallons or more.
Russel, who turns 50 Saturday, says it has taken him over 20 years to get to this milestone. He started giving whole blood in the early 1980s and then progressed to giving platelets to cancer patients. He has given platelets ever since, and usually donates every two weeks at the Florida’s Blood Centers branch in Orlando.
Russell literally saves lives through a special process in which only platelets are collected during blood donation. This allows him to donate a higher volume of platelets than with a whole blood donation, helping more cancer patients in the process. Platelet transfusions are vital to keeping many cancer patients alive through months, and often years, of treatment.
Blood donations profoundly affect the lives of patients in our community. In many cases one donation could impact or even save the lives of three patients.
Generally, healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Please call 1-888-9-DONATE (936-6283) for additional eligibility questions.
Last Updated: Tuesday, December 18, 2012
ORANGE COUNTY -- David Russell joined an elite group of people Tuesday when he donated his 100th gallon of blood.
The Chuluota resident has affected the lives of at least 2,400 patients during his blood donating career. Russell is one of only a dozen active blood donors at Florida’s Blood Centers who have donated 100 gallons or more.
Russel, who turns 50 Saturday, says it has taken him over 20 years to get to this milestone. He started giving whole blood in the early 1980s and then progressed to giving platelets to cancer patients. He has given platelets ever since, and usually donates every two weeks at the Florida’s Blood Centers branch in Orlando.
Russell literally saves lives through a special process in which only platelets are collected during blood donation. This allows him to donate a higher volume of platelets than with a whole blood donation, helping more cancer patients in the process. Platelet transfusions are vital to keeping many cancer patients alive through months, and often years, of treatment.
Blood donations profoundly affect the lives of patients in our community. In many cases one donation could impact or even save the lives of three patients.
Generally, healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Please call 1-888-9-DONATE (936-6283) for additional eligibility questions.