MIAMI – Just about every 12 months, an approximated 6.8 million persons in the U.S. donate blood. That may well seem like a lot, but it is really only a small portion of the suitable population.
We met a person South Florida donor whose supplying has set him in the Hall of Fame. He is hoping to encourage many others to roll up their sleeves, way too.
John Jenkins is a retired educator who is aware of all also very well how a single person can make a significant influence.
“I touched a whole lot of students’ life and to this working day learners continue to keep contacting me and letting me know how a lot what an impact I experienced on their life. And I do not know what I did to do that,” Jenkins stated. “But I just did what I appreciated executing which was supporting to inspire and heading to operate every day looking at a adjust in lives having area.”
He’s not just switching lives, he is preserving them and it goes outside of the classroom. Jenkins has saved a great number of life by commonly donating blood and platelets.
“I have donated 101 gallons of blood hence considerably, and ideally inside the following two to 3 months, I am going to be back again on the donating path yet again,” Jenkins explained.
Now in his 80s, Jenkins reported he commenced donating at a university blood push in 1975, and he is been consistent at any time because. In accordance to OneBlood, donors can give total blood each individual 56 times, up to six moments a calendar year. You can donate platelets each and every 7 times, up to 24 instances on a yearly basis.
Jenkins explained he’s never truly held track.
“Quantities really don’t necessarily mean nothing to me,” he explained. “I just want to donate and know that I am making a distinction in somebody’s existence. Anyone is likely to be utilizing individuals blood platelets in just a 7 days or two months they are going and is encouraging preserve somebody’s everyday living.”
Any individual like Lia Ottinot, a sickle cell client who has needed transfusions in the previous as section of her treatment.
“It is a blessing to have people today donate blood,” Ottinot explained. “And it is crucial to donate blood if you can. You happen to be not just helping sickle cell patients. You can enable a bunch of other folks.”
It all hit household for Jenkins when his have daughter necessary a blood transfusion in 2019.
In all, he’s donated effectively in excess of 500 moments and was inducted into the OneBlood Donation Hall of Fame in 2020. Jenkins said he does not take into account himself a hero, but he’d like to be found as a function product.
“I just see myself as an specific who has the capability to aid,” he said. “I have the style of blood that is common. And if I imagine it can be utilized and eager to and prepared to donate. So no, I don’t see myself as a hero at all. I just see myself as a popular person who is eager to assistance some others.”
If you happen to be thinking about donating, you should know the total method will consider about an hour. The actual donation lasts about 10 minutes. Jenkins says it is rather painless and he appreciates the totally free presents and treats he gets each time he gives.
CBS News Miami is teaming up with HCA Florida Health care and OneBlood to assist help save lives.
There will be two blood drives on Thursday, February 29th, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
One will be held at HCA Florida Westside Clinic, at 8201 W Broward Boulevard in Plantation. The other will be at HCA Florida Aventura Healthcare facility, at 20900 Biscayne Boulevard.
All donors will receive a OneBlood prolonged-sleeved T-shirt, a $20 eGift card, and a wellness checkup.
