LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

Blood fact: “How long most donated red blood cells can be stored? 42 days!”

Incredible!  Another amazing day at a blood center!  This time it was at the Florida Blood Services center at St. Petersburg, FL.

Today they sponsored an event entitled:  The Multi-Gallon Donor Event … where everyone invited today has donated a minimum of 20 GALLONS of blood … and … the most blood contributed was 114 GALLONS!

I was invited to speak and it gave me an opportunity to be in the same room with 150 blood donors who are truly GIANTS in this field.

They were amazing people and were most welcoming to all the speakers.

I also had the opportunity to once again with Rodney Ford and his wife Syrita … Rodney recently donated his kidney to Syrita who was suffering from kidney failure and it turned out to be that his kidney was a perfect match!

I rode across America with Rodney in the Five Points of Life ride back in 1997.

I also had the opportunity to share the podium with Bob Weiss … a recent winner of the LF award as was Rodney Ford … so it was a completely positive day with lots of positive memories … culminating with a dinner with old friends at FBS such as J.B., Jackie, Gene, etc.  I wanted to say “thank you” to Don D(CEO) and his awesome staff for the incredible hospitality and for putting on such a successful event … giving me the opportunity to thank so many donors who are “giants” in donations.  I even had the chance to go to the LAB and thank several of the components staff, courier, and distribution people … it was a very rewarding day for me!restored and programs installed after it crashed!  It seems that everything is back together … however … all the data was lost in the process … pictures, etc.  Luckily I had uploaded most of the pictures on Facebook … WHEW!

Well, I’m pretty tired tonight … and tomorrow I’m heading up to Tallahassee, FL, with a couple of stops to visit relatives.

Talk to you later

Blood fact:  “Approximately 50% of blood donations go to cancer patients.”

Here we are in Sarasota, FL, and it’s Friday, the 13th, and it’s a “lucky” 13th!

I was invited to present the winning trophy to Sheriff Knight since his crew was the annual “Boots and Badges” competition of blood donations between the Police and Fire.

Suncoast staff did another amazing  job at the raising awareness in their local community.

I also had the opportunity to stay at the Hyatt and have dinner with Dr. Mark M. and his “sons” … at the Columbia restaurant … it was a great time and I want to thank Mark for his hospitality …

Another exciting day … visiting the “lab people” … check out the photos on Facebook …

Sometimes I feel like I’m the luckiest guy in the world … not only did 110 donors give one pint of blood each to save my life … I now have the honor and the privilege to travel around the U.S. and thank current ”donors” while thanking them for giving the “gift of life” to save lives and to save “families”.  You are amazing!

I just received a phone call from Adella … who informed me that she and 6-10 of her friends are going down to the Blood Bank of the Redwoods to donate blood … Thank you for donating, Adella and friends! 

In a short time … I will be on my way to St. Petersburg, FL.

Blood fact: “The blood supply is now safer than it has ever been in recent history.” (because of very healthy 5% of our donors, the voluntary questionaire and the 14 mandated tests of the blood donated!)

What a day of “postive” memories!  I was able to once again meet with Perry McGriff, an incredible example of a blood donor and an amazing cyclist.  He and I rode across America in 1996.  In 1997, he helped LifeSouth found the Five Points of Life ride … which has become an incredible staple in the doning and organ doning communities, throughout Florida and America.

I want to thank LifeSouth for all the incredible things they have done to service their local communites!  A special thanks to Nancy Eckert who is the amazing CEO at LifeSouth!

Once again thank you for the many, many amazing memories!

Off to Sarasota, Florida …

Blood Fact: “Apheresis is a special kind of donation that allows a donor to give specific blood components, such as platelets.”

Thanks to John for meeting me at Shula’s for dinner last night … we had a blast and some of the best Apple cobbler I’ve ever tasted … and … some ice cream with it. (Just a little bit)

This morning started at about 8:30 a.m. What a fun day for me!  We started the day off by doing a radio spot with Melissa at WJCT. (Thanks Melissa for being a blood donor)

After that I had the opportunity to go to the Blood Connection (blood center) and meet with Dale(CEO), and many, many more of the staff!

It’s amazing to me that each blood center that I visit … has some of the most amazing staff I’ve ever met!  Every blood center is different, yet their staff are among the top employees in the industry and they are so kind and considerate to their donors!

Think of it this way folks … only 5% in America are donors … yet, they are the top 5%, the 95th percentile and up! 

The blood supply is now the safest it has ever been … because of the questionaire and the mandated safety tests … therefore if you have the occassion to need blood you are receiving blood from America’s true heroes … their top 5% of the donors.

It has been my honor to be able to meet such incredible individuals … who are selfless, compassionate, loving and willing to give up their time and their “gift of life” to a complete stranger if it is needed!

I am humbled at such charity, such love and such service!

I keep thinking how blessed I am … because of the generosity of 110 complete strangers who contributed to saving my life and the lives of my children, Amy, Adella and Amber. (who would not be here without the “gift of life” from such amazing donors!

Once again I am humbled by each donor I meet and each blood center’s staff … especially those in the “lab” … they are an essential link to the saving of lives!

I was lucky today because the drive to Gainesville was only a couple of hours … thank you, Meghan for calling to check in with me and make sure I was OK.  I’m looking forward to spending time tomorrow in Gainesville at LifeSouth … with some old friends and making a lot of new friends!  To my old friend, Perry M., I’m looking forward to seeing you again!

Talk to you tomorrow …

Blood fact: “White cells are the body’s primary defense against infection.”

Wow! The Shepeard Blood Center promotions brought in over 300 units in their LAA 2010 stop in Augusta, GA.  Thank you Mistie and Kevin and the staff.

The bike ride today was incredible … over 30 cyclists rode with us … and …. thanks to the Columbia Sheriff’s Office … we even had a police escort! 

Thanks to Deke … the Mayor of Augusta, who rode with us and helped Shepeard Blood Center promote the awareness of the need for blood.

All in all, it was a beautiful day … another day with the awesome donors who were giving the gift of life … I met several donors today, I even met a donor, her name was “Darling” and she was also a “recipient” … what an amazing lady … thanks Darling for sharing your story with us.

Thanks to Jen Shoffner who has been and still is … working tirelessly to help me keep all the scheduled dates in “sync” and stays one step ahead of me.  (Jen, you are awesome!)

After driving 278 miles to Jacksonville … I met up with John(from the Blood Alliance) … who was gracious enough to have dinner with me … and promised he will pick me up at 8:30 a.m. on our way to the NPR interview … Thanks John for meeting with me and letting me know what tomorrow’s agenda will be …

It’s been a long day … and… it started very early for me … 4 a.m. … so I will say goodnight!

Blood fact: “Granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, roll along blood vessel walls in search of bacteria to engulf and destroy.” (Wow, I bet you didn’t know that!)

Another beautiful day in Atlanta, GA, it started out very early as we rushed over the Channel 11 News at their downtown studio and met up with Jill, the morning anchor.  It was fun and very enlightening as we were greeted and given the opportunity to talk about how “giving blood really saves lives!”

Then we drove to the LifeSouth CBC and I had the chance to meet many of the staff … Michael who is amazing and Ted (CEO) who also gave blood today.  It was a beautiful day and very rewarding for me as I was able to speak to all the staff present.  And then talk to the donors … a special thanks to John who saved the 5 points of life T-shirt

Later we had an interviewed by the local radio station WSTB … Rob, you were amazing and we want to thank you for talking to LifeSouth’s Michael and giving us a chance to promote the need for blood during the summer.  

Every day I am totally amazed at the donors, the staff, and the administrators of each blood center … each day I expect to see the same old thing and yet, each day I never cease to be amazed at all the incredible programs that each blood center has perfected in their attempt to bring in donors and keep up with the demand of safe, available blood. 

Every day … I see the “bar” raised at each new blood center I visit … I am totally in awe at how efficient each blood center is at bringing in donors, taking their “gift of life”, packaging it, testing it, and then distributing it to fill the need at the local hospitals and trauma centers.

To LifeSouth … thank you for all you do … to save “lives” in your own backyard!  Ted you are amazing!  Thanks to Michael for your open arms and Southern hospitality … and … to John (thanks for remembering 1997)

To everyone else I met today … “you are the wind beneath my wings” … and … I love and appreciate each one of you!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Blood fact: “Blood or plasma that comes from people who have been paid for it CANNOT be used for human transfusions.”

Another beautiful day in Atlanta, GA.  I woke up after a good nights sleep and searching for a church close to the hotel.

“i’m happy, I’m enthusiastic … it’s going to be a great day!”

Lots of tasks to finish today … getting ready for the big “LifeSouth Blood Centers” media events tomorrow … early on Monday morning … I mean really early!

I’ll talk to you later.

Well, it’s later and  I’ve had a very busy day … starting out with attending church in Sandy Springs, GA, at the Glenridge Ward … where I met their Bishop (Carlson), Dongil Moon and his family (they are from Korea and he is a student at Georgia Tech, I think?, After church … my truck really needed some work and since I am on the go for the next 7-8 days … it worked out that I was able to replace the water pump, timing belt, and many other things needed a lot of TLC “service” … luckily for me I met Kim, service advisor, who served his country as a Marine and is also a “blood donor” … he was willing to take the time to make sure the old Toyota was brought back to “life” enough to get me home. (another 6,500 miles)

Then I met Tracy, who was a blood donor and he agreed to try to give blood again.  Finally I met Atira … a blood donor … who said she will do her best to be at the LifeSouth blood center tomorrow for the blood drive and donate again.  Wow! Is that wonderful or what?

I had a lot of “catching up” to do during this rest day … washing and drying clothes, making sure to “defrag” the computer 3 or 4 times … pray a lot, read the scriptures and study 1Chronicles 4:9-10 (and what it means to you personally, when you ask for a blessing and the Lord enlarges your territory)  What I’ve learned, is that when the blessings come … you are going to be “stretched a lot” and noone said it would be easy … just that it would be worth it!  The good part is that when you’re finished you can literally “feel” the growth!

I’m now packing up tonight … because I have a very early start tomorrow … 5:00 a.m., I’m going to meet up with Michael and we’ll be off to the early morning “media blitz” … LifeSouth has planned …

Don’t forget to check out the pictures on Facebook … and … please share the website link and Facebook link with your family and friends!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Blood fact: “Healthy bone marrow makes a constant supply of red cells, plasma and platelets.”

Today was a beautiful day at the Blood Connection blood center in Greenville, S.C.

I had the opportunity to meet some incredible blood donors … both whole blood and platelets donors …. plus … a lot of dedicated, incredible staff, who I spoke to and told them me story and bore my testimony to them of the grace of God and how I knew without a shadow of a doubt that blood donors are selfless and “heroes” to me … I spoke to the staff letting them know how much both I and the donors appreciate everything they do to make sure their is a safe and available blood supply and that we couldn’t do that without their help!

They have a beautiful new blood center building (since March 2010) …the tradition continues as  the 1st person I met today and who greeted me … as she welcomed me to their blood center was Amy … thank you Amy! (and I took a picture of her)

Later I met Tom Smitt (Jan K’s husband) and the CEO … Greg … he was on his way out of town to one of many business meetings that blood Center CEO’s have to attend … Thanks Greg for taking the time to talk to me and giving me a short tour of your new building.

As usual … each blood center has a similar mission … yet, they are all different … different region, different buildings, different donors, different staff, and different administrators.  However, they all seem to have the same incredible purpose … saving lives in their local community … what a worthy mission!

I spent most of the day meeting donors and staff, thanking them for giving us the “gift of life” and doing my best to let them know how grateful I was to be alive and as a representative of all “blood recipients” I wanted to thank them for the wonderful job they were doing when they(the donors) donate blood and save lives … and … the staff when they package it up safely and make it available to their local community as a life saving mission!

I had a wonderful time talking with the staff and the donors … taking pictures with them and asking the donors … “Have you ever had a recipient come back and say “thank you?” … 99% of the time their answer was … “No … you’re the 1st!”  What an incredibly wonderful peaceful feeling that gave me … and … it managed to bring a big smile to their faces! (both men and women alike)

After that day of close encounters with donors …  I drove to Atlanta, GA (150 miles away) and I’m now at the hotel (LaQuinta) checked for tonight and for tomorrow night … trying to get ready for a big day on Monday with the LifeSouth blood center team …

If you get a chance go to Facebook and type in “Give Blood” … and check out the pictures uploaded today … if you see your picture don’t hesitate to “tag” yourself … that way you can make sure your name is spelled correctly … Enjoy!

Talk to you later.

Blood fact: “Plasma, which is 90% water, makes up 55% of blood volume.”

Another inspiring day at the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas … it was amazing to me all the events they had planned to help promote the awareness of the need for blood. and to encourage the local citizens to come in to donate blood.

It was an early day … had to be at the blood bank at 0600 hours … there we did a segment of the Wilson’s World … see the photos on Facebook to try to understand how much fun this was … also he had as guest the Charlotte Roller Derby Girls … and … they were there to promote the need for blood.

We also taped an hour show on KISS radio … and … then had 3 interviews with 3 TV stations, from the Charlotte, NC, area … it was a great day …

Once again … I met the most incredible, amazing people … both the donors and the blood center staff!

Then I drove down to Greenville, SC, and checked into the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville.

I’m still trying to sort out on the “early morning” radio and TV programs … that must be done very early in the morning!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Blood fact: “Plasma is a pale yellow mixture of water, proteins, and salts.”

Another interesting day at a great blood center in Richmond, VA … the VA Blood Services center.

I met lots of interesting, incredible people today, donors, and staff.

Here are the names of some of them: Doris, Marly, Frank, Chaz, Steve and Debbie, Rob, Valencia, Patti, Martha, Pam, Nancy, Brenda, Irene, marie, Annette, Inocensia, Nancy, Phillipe, William, Weatherfor, Kenny, Jessie, Tony, lisa, Sheila, Storrs, Chavis, Patty, Chris, (reporter from the Henrico Citizen paper), Tabias, Eleanor, Barbara, Louis (CFO), Melanie, Connie, Ric (VP), Tom, Yolanda, Sherry, Christine, Katie, Jessica, Linwood, Julia.

Today after I was finished … I drove to the local Fed EX office to send some things home, so I wouldn’t have to cart them around for 2 more months.

Then I started driving the 300+ miles from Richmond to Charlotte, NC, and on the way I had a blast as I drove through a 50 miles storm front of thunder, lightning, rain and lots of wind. (It was awesome!)

Once I arrived in Charlotte I met Martin G., Pres and Ceo, and Angie QA Specialist … for dinner … they were fun to be with and reminded me that tomorrow will start very early at 0600 hours.

So good night … I will talk to you tomorrow!