LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

Blood fact:  Why are platelets important?  “Platelets promote blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live!”

(I had written out all the highlights of the day and then I accidentally deleted it … ARGH!)

I met several incredible people today … Off Joseph Spandaro, Sgt. Alan Orquiza, Motorman Dominique Green, Off. Katherine ?, and their Lieutenant … oops, I  almost forget SA John Whittle … thanks John for your great sense of humor!

At Sen. Boxer’s office … I met Jackson who opened the doors and was in the office 1st today … and … her other staffers Patrick and Sam … then we were joined a few minutes later by Lauren Lauren, Pres. and Chief Ambassador for the Foundation of America’s Blood Centers … we had an enjoyable visit and I hope to visit with Sen. Boxer later in California where we are finishing up the nation-wide blood drive, Life Across America 2010, in September.

I also met Lauren’s niece, Jesseca and a friend of hers, Nathan … then I said my goodbyes.

Then it was time to get back to the Inova Blood Services in Sterling, VA and visit with their staff … they were very hospitable and kind …

These are just a few of the people I met, thanked and greeted today ….Diane F., Reese S., Shana, Melanie, Andrea, Lynn B., Terri, Sharon, A.J., Todd J., Jill Chase (a reporter from the Loudoun Times Mirror (and her two boys), Evelyn, Jennifer, Laura, Russell, Toba, Susan, Allen, Pat, karen, Shana, Todd, Ric, Bernadette and Bernadette, plus many more in the lab and other really neat parts of the building … and on the mobile coach!

After all the thank you’s to their staff … I drove down to Richmond, VA.

Guess what?  My Garmin managed to get me to the hotel and then it died … that’s the 2nd one  … the 1st one died in NJ and I replaced it … now this one died in Richmond, VA, and I found a Best Buy to get it replace … so hopefully this one will last until Texas … the good part is that the computer worked fine tonight.

I need to get some sleep … talk to you tomorrow …

Blood fact: “RBC’s, red blood cells, carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues.”

Another incredible day … with incredible people … thank you to all the donors and all the staff who make it all happen!

This time it was at the Blood Bank of Delmarva … and … a blood drive at Terumo corp … the company who makes “blood bags” … thank you to Terumo and its employees for the incredible job they did today … and … every day!

I want to thank all the awesome, incredible people I met today … you are an incredible example to the rest of your community and deserve to be recognized for the community service you provide.

I met all of these people today: Anthony S., Dave B., Barbara, Ann, Bill, Eunice C., Bob C., Janet, Mike H., Carrie A., Tom H., Shane P., Maggie, Sonya, Noah, Lauren C., April A., Lt. Matthew Donnelly (Elkton PD), Cpl. Blake (Skip) Potocki (EPD), Sheriff Barry Janney (Cecile County), Michelle, Edward, Wendy, Eugene, Katie, Pete (retired Fire), (working in the Lab are:) Martha C., Diane, Kathy,Susan, Megan, Theresa, Ann, Erin, Melanie, heather, kathy, Donna, Kelly, Judith, Freddie, James G., Erin M., Donna and Kelly S.(mother and daughter donors), Dave H., Tony C., Dave M., Bob F., Jason W., Carla, Pat F., Donna, Lea, Rachael, Pat , Kelly D., Erin, Mary, Cindy, Anne, Heather, Lynda, Elizabeth, Kristin, Denise, Linda, Sharon, Marianne, Renee, Sharon, Mia, Jamie, Laurie, Julia, Terri, Barbara, Anne, Justina, Linda, Dawn, Mark, Jeannette, kathy, Nancy, Franni, Candace, and Daniel.

As you can tell it was a fun-filled busy day … meeting, greeting and thanking donors and staff …

Every day I think I can’t possibly meet any nicer people than I have already met the day before and then I open my heart, share my smile and say “hi, I’m Larry … a recipient … who came here to “thank you” for the incredible community service you are performing … when you donate one pint of blood … or … for taking care of the donors as a staff member.

Every day … I meet more incredible, giving, compassionate people … and … I want to thank each of you for those memories … because without 110 donors … I wouldn’t be alive today … to experience the “selfless love” that each of you share with one another!

Tonight I made it to Sterling, VA … and tomorrow will be a busy day … as I try to make it to the Capitol and visit with the staff of one of our Senators … and … then make it back in time for a blood drive, etc.

Talk to you tomorrow …

Thank you …

Blood fact: “RBC’s, red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues.”

Can you believe it?  It’s actually a REST DAY … and … I have time to catch up on washing clothes, writing notes, and maybe even get a haircut … also I’ll try to get in a bicycle ride to maintain the legs.

Last night I stayed at the Fairfield Inn-Marriott … and … I’m looking forward to visiting with the Blood Bank of Delmarva staff, their donors and thanking them for all the amazing compassionate service they accomplish in saving lives!

To give you an idea of what the blood centers do at their blood drives:

• Blood Bank of Delmarva on 3 Aug 2010
• 10-11:30AM Employees & Donors  Mobile blood drive at Terumo
• Noon to 1pm Reception at Christiana Donor Center speak briefly and tell your story to our leadership team, some staff members, and some top donors
• Terumo makes the bags which hold the blood which is donated. 

Today I’ll be trying catch up on some reading and planning out the next week of blood center visits (enter the addresses into my new Garmin) to help me find each hotel and blood center … as I travel down the East coast, on my way to Sarasota and St. Petersburg, FL.

Since I have a chance to slow down today and catch my breath … it’s gratifying to me to see how many really loving, kind, giving people I meet who are donors … these are Americans who take the time out of their busy days and come to the blood center or a blood drive with the sole purpose of giving of themselves in an effort to save someone else or least give them a 2nd chance at their life.  (It doesn’t have to be trauma victims … it may be donating for those who have need for platelets, plasma, double reds(RBC’s) or even WBC’s … for cancer, burn, or other medical challenges!)

I guess the best words to describe “donors” is:  “selfless” … they (each one)  literally give a piece of themselves … a piece of their heart and their life … and … then the blood center “staff” wrap it up with love and compassion … so when the “recipients” (like myself) recieve it … it truly is their “gift of life” to us!

I want to once again … say “thank you” with all my heart to these amazing blood donors … and … to each of the blood centers “staff” who work tirelessly to make sure that the recipients recieve a “safe, yet, available” gift of life!  (Thank you, thank you, and Thank you!)

In case, you didn’t know it … because of the two page questionaire and the 14+ Federally mandated blood “tests” to check for many types of blood borne diseases …  the blood supply in America is probably at the safest level it’s ever been … and … believe me, that is a good thing!

Talk to you later ….

Well, it’s later and I had a great REST day … I went for a 20 mile ride … from my hotel on 58W to the corner of 37 where WaWa is located then left to Hiway 141 over to Newcastle and then down to the old historic New Castle where all the fame of William Penn began early in the American history … see Facebook photos ….

I stopped at Dunkin Donuts for some “ice” for my water bottles … when I left there I saw a New Castle policeman and flagged him down for a photo … it was Ptlm. John Donmoyer … who was nice enough to call Corporal T. Donlon (who is a blood donor) and they allowed me to take a couple of pictures with them.   While we were there the owner of the Dunkin Donuts and his son came over and took a picture with us.

The officers told me how to get to the old historic Colonial section of New Castle, DE, and I went down there for a visit and ended up meeting Larry and Carole when I asked them to take a picture of me with the old Courthouse in the background. (they had just met through Match.com … that was amazing!)

Then I met two more young ladies who helped me take a picture of the old episcopalian church … their names was Kaissa (Kaa-sha) and Keissa (Kee-sha) from Kansas,  who were best friends from college and visiting the area for a week.

Later I met Jonathan Cochran who was a tri-athlete and also a local contractor of plumbing, heating and air conditioning … he told me that Hiwy 9 was the best training for hills in the area. (I didn’t tell him that I hate climbing hills …. because he was so nice!)

The NCPD officers called and said their bicycle officer was on the way to meet me at the Courthouse … but after 15-20 minutes I figured she must have gotten a call and I had to get back … so I left … Sorry about that!

Then later I still had some time left and I went to a local laundromat and caught up on washing clothes… Thank Goodness!

After that … Dave Bonk from Blood Bank of Delmarva came to visit with me at the laundromat and then took me to dinner where we met their marketing/PR team of Mary (whom I remember from 14 years ago … she said they had  just watched a video of our 1st visit back in 1996) … also there were Carrie and Kelly … it was a wonderful dinner and I even tried to encourage the waitress to give blood … especially when she said she was scared of needles!  We had a nice visit and after dinner Dave drove me over to the blood center so I would know where to go in the morning.

All in all … it was a beautiful day … and … they even said the local press ran a nice article in the paper today.

Once again … I want to thank God for the many blessings that seem to be continually pouring upon Life Across America 2010 …

See you tomorrow … if you get a chance, check out the Facebook photos …

Blood fact: “One unit of blood can be separated into several compoments: red blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate.”

Wow! It was an incredible day at the blood drive at St. Anne’s church … hosted by the Miller Keystone Blood Center … I had a wonderful time today meeting and thanking some of the most beautiful people in the world … the blood donors! (and the staff!)

The day started out when Marsha met me at the hotel to guide me to the Miller Keystone blood center for a private tour (see photos) and then lead me to the St Anne’s church a few miles away.

A special thanks to Monsignor Mraz … who is the shepherd of his flock and many came out today to donate and help save lives!

Here are a few of the wonderful people that I met today: Joann, kathy and Kaitlyn, Jacob, Marie, Dennis, Ann, Linda, Jackie, Peggy, Lynn, Gary, Arlene, Jonathon, Gail, Lisa, Jessica, Sandy, Amy, Christina, Karissa, Tina, Lynn, Joe, Gary, Sany, Nick, Bill, Don, Jim K, James R,., Sean, Lilli, John, Kim S, Santino, Sophia, Frank(Francesco B), Karen, Joe, Adrienne, Bill, Tom, Nancy K and A.J., Monsignor Mraz, Dave K., Sean, Becca, Rich, Bob and Cindy!

See Facebook picture #43 … and … Let me tell you about one amazing blood donor … Mr. Frank B. (86 years young) and he has been donating since he was 18 years old! Way to go Frank … just think of how many people he has given a 2nd chance at life!

What a day!  And to be able to spend it with such giving, compassionate, service-oriented people was one of the great blessing a recipient could recieve on the Sabbath!

Once again … “Giving Blood really does save lives!” 

Thank you for giving to your fellow man!

Tomorrow is a REST day. (I hope?)

Blood fact: “Dr. Karl Landsteiner first identified the major human blood groups: A,B, AB, and O … in 1901.”

Wow! What a day!  Do you want to hear the best kept secret in the nation?  Yep, it’s true … Paramus, NJ, is a beautiful place!   If you ever want to see New York … come to Paramus, NJ, then it’s just a short 23 mile hop to New York from there!

Thank you … thank you … thank you to … Karen F., Mary Ann and the Community Blood Services in Paramus … you are all amazing and I personally had a wonderful time visiting with their staff and their donors!

• To give you an idea how much I enjoyed myself here are a few of the people I met: Mary Ann, Rich, karen, Vernon, Gary, Patty, Eva, Chief Koenemund, Dr Ron Walsh, FF Ken K, the photographer from the Record/Herald News … Viorel Floresco, Oriana ( a young volunteer), Nicole and YoMary (1st time donors), Tania, Jonathon, Gloria, Margarita, Ellen, Stan S., Joe G., Allen, Andrew, Scott, Mike, John, Steve, Jimmy, Bob, Milt C., Rich L, Sachi Fujimori(staff reporter for The Record)Dennis Niland (newsphotoman@aol.com , www.njcops.com ), Janaki, Rupal, Linda, Estrella, Karen, Heta, Doreen S., Harry P., Alred A., Erika M, Kazuo M., Richard S, Chief James S., Dr. Ron Walsh, Vernon Reed and many others … I almost forgot to thank “Bea” who was the 1st person to greet me when I arrived … she is now nicknamed “Queen B”…

To all the staff and donors at Community Blood Services in Paramus, NJ … thank you for a beautiful day and thank you for the honor of spending some of the day with each of you …

Talk to you tomorrow from Bethlehem and Emmaus, PA …

Blood fact:  “Four main red blood cell types: A,B,AB, and O.  Each can be positive or negative for the Rh factor.  AB is the universal recipient; O negative is the universal donor of red blood cells.”

Today I woke up in the W Hotel … Times Square … on the 50th floor listening to sirens and the noises of the big city … Wow!

I want to thank Keith H from the New York Blood Center for helping me get here (by cell phone)

Today he will meet me at 0930 hrs and we will go to the scheduled blood drives.

I’ll check in with you later today when I upload the pictures … until then.

What an incredible day in New York City … and … at the New York Blood Center.

A special “thank you” to Keith, Janice, Michelle, Diallo, Sebrina, Vivian, Novellette and many others whom I talked to while walking around and touring the NYBC blood center.

On the way to the Union Square mobile coach blood drive … Keith and I had lunch at the Cafe Fresco … a Turkey Cuban sandwich and fruit salad … Ummm good

Thank you to the many donors who were there … donating and who took the time to speak with me and gave me the opportunity to say “thank you” for their life of generosity!  (Donors like: Ralph, Carol, Ralph F. Jr, Lauren, James M., George R., Bruce D., Ryan B., Dhuha, Marie P. Gladys F. and many others who came to NYBC with the intent to make a difference!)

After the blood drive … we took a cab back to the W (in New York cabbies are a way of life) and I checked out, picked up my truck, bike and luggage and then drove to Paramus, NJ … and checked into the Crown Plaza hotel.(A very nice place with the Bonefish Grill in the same building, so if you’re ever in Paramus, NJ, try it! A special thanks to Karen Ferriday for all of her help …)

After checking in … I decided to add some new addresses to my Garmin … and … lo and behold … my little Garmin died! (Can you believe that?) 

Yet it helped take me out of NY safely without getting lost too many times and then it died in NJ.  (Lucky for me there was a Best Buy close by and I was able to replace the unit … however, now I have to re-enter all the addresses of the ABC stops I will be making this week … Oops! (Shucks, Darn…. yata, yata)

Once again it was a great day in New York City … meeting, greeting, and thanking staff and donors, and then walking through and around Union Square Farmers Market … what an interesting place with lots of fresh organic vegetables, fruit, etc.

The best part of NYC for me was the opportunity to say thank you to all the donors … because in my mind each donor represents one of the 110 donors who saved my life!

I was surprised at what a nice sleepy bedroom community Paramus, NJ, appears to be… I’ll let you know more tomorrow.

Blood fact:  “94 per cent of blood donors are registered voters.”

Wow!  What an incredible day at the Rhode Island Blood Center in Providence, RI.

The Tomorrow Fund celebration was today … 3 television channels showed up … , 6, 10, and 12.

It was another amazing day of heart to heart talks … visiting with donors and thanking staff … if you get a chance please check out the pictures on Facebook … they show the love and compassion that donors have for recipients … and … how children have fun just being playful and loving even when there are sick.

Talk to you tomorrow in New York City …

Woke up after a good night’s rest and starting packing for the Phase 2 part of the trip.

Received call from Inova Blood Services, New York Blood Center, Paramus, NJ, and Providence, RI

Now I’m starting to get excited about Phase 2.

To all the ABC blood centers … I can’t wait to meet with your donors and staff … thank you for your hospitality!

Well, today on the rest day I drove to Providence, RI,  and hooked up with Frank and Rennie … at the Rhode Island Blood Center.

Rennie gave me a tour of their facility and later we went to visit to current blood drives … check out the pictures on Facebook.

When I first arrived at the center I met Jean at the front desk lobby … then I met Frank and Rennie … Rennie gave me a tour of their building and introduced me to several of their staff … who are some very amazing compassionate people!

These are some of the people I met today:  Leslie, Nauman, Glenn, Scott, Kristy, Kristel, Lisa, Severance, Frieda,Courtney, Amanda, Katie, Jean Mc, Elaine, Robert, Helen, Chris, Sonia, Debbie, Michele, Celine, Kathie, Terry, Manny, Jason, David, Matt, Matt, Joel, Leontyna (LT), Joann, Lou, Paul, Ken, Susan, Carol,Sarah, Chris, Greg, Soraya, Lisa, Gail, Joann (and her grandson, Cayen), John and Frank who were donors.

The Lonsdale firemen were: DC Tom Ryan, Lt. Ryan Griffin, Lt. Dave Levesque,  FF Dave Marin, and Oakley their boxer!

The mobile coach crew were: Gerry, Kathy, Star and Sue … thanks for introducing us to Melissa Yates a donor.

At the Warrick PO blood drive I met … Flo (team leader) Lead Donor Specialist, Carol and Sandy, Paul Dwyer and his two sons, (donors) David Matteson (donor for over 30 years)

At the barbeque I met Dave, Buck and Ginny …  I think that is all … if I missed anyone I’ll catch you’all tomorrow.

Rhode Island Blood Center has an amazing program called “Summer of Inspiration” where every week they share stories of blood recipients …  their wall of honor is graced by the following recipients, who I hope to meet some of them tomorrow:  Keith Bloomer, Michael and Angela Fallgren, Isabelle, Molly Harrington, Chris Creighton, Barbara Joyce, Art Berluti, Lynda LaCava, and many others to come!

I also learned about Dr. DZIK’s story … helping the Mulago Hospital in Uganda … it’s amazing how the “give blood- give life”  ripple effect just keeps on giving and has moved to the international level!  Also how RIBC is developing the “public cord blood bank” for women and infants …

Each day I learn something new about the incredible donors, and the blood doing industry staff who do many amazing things “behind the scenes” … you are the epitome of compassionate giving people … THANK YOU!

I want to thank RIBC, Frank and Rennie(Renelda) for a wonderful day in Providence area while visiting with staff and donors. 

A special thanks to Larry Smith (CEO), Carolyn Young, (CMO), for their hospitality and the incredible staff they have working with them … RIBC … is the 1st of many incredible blood drives this summer and I’m honored to part a part of their local programs, such as the “Seasons Pass” which brings HOPE, COMMUNITY, and LIFE to the RIBC area. 

Thanks for all the incredible “good” you do on a daily basis … you are an inspiration to all of us … as a representative of “blood recipients” everywhere … THANK YOU!

Talk to you tomorrow at the “Summer of Inspiration” blood drive and celebration!

Blood fact:

“Healthy adults who are at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate about a pint of blood, which is the most common form of donation, every 56 days. (or every two months)  Females receive 53 % of blood transfusions and males receive 47%.”

Today is Day 52 … the last day of our ABB “Cross Country Challenge” and the last day of Phase 1 of the “Life Across America 2010″.

Wow!  It was an enjoyable day and fun riding the last 60 miles with our ABB cycling family … at the end we all met up at Rye Junior HS and then had a police escort from there to the Wallis Sands Beach … and … to the end where Gail, Amber, Dick, and Anna, and his sister and husband were there to greet us.

What an awesome day … since my computer accidently deleted over 60 % of my blog last night … I would suggest you go to Facebook … type in Give Blood and read the comments … that will give you the essence of the excitement, exhaustion, and love for our fellow cyclists …

A special thanks to the Rye Police Department for the police escort to the beach …

A special thank you to ABB, Doug T, Bill and his incredible staff leaders … they were all amazing … Michelle, Alex, Gerard, Judy and Pam … we couldn’t have done it with all your help … thanks for the memories … and to Gerard, Adella can’t wait to see your DVD on this year’s CCC

To my fellow cyclists … what an extended family … from the fastest to the slowest and to all of us “in between” … you are the life blood of tours like this … your friendship and your relationship are what makes this memory came alive … contrary to popular belief … it’s not the bike, it’s not the open highway, it’s not the rain, it’s not the wind, it’s not the hotels, it’s not the the food … folks … IT”S THE PEOPLE AND THE RELATIONSHIPS … and memories …. that we build together …

You are each in your own right a WINNER … you came into this world a winner and in fact you are “gold medal” winners …

You are a unique individual who has had to overcome doubts and fears, naysayers, and rise above it all to make your life a success …

I’m very proud to have share 2 months of my life with you … and … my incredible daughter’s belief … that her dream would come true … with all of you … like her … you have earned an eternal memory in my heart forever …

Thanks to all of you … don’t forget that for me … Phase 2 of Life Across America (www.lifeacrossamerica.com ) is only beginning … please keep in touch and follow the nation wide blood drives as I have the honor and opportunity to meet and thank blood donors throughout America.

Wow!  What a memory!  (And to George S., from Santa Rosa, thanks for teaching me how to “spin” … your endurance is amazing!)

Talk to you later.

Blood Fact: “One pint of blood can save up to 3 lives1″

Wow! We are now in Manchester, NH… and … I was able to hug Gail and Amber … first time for a long time!

I want to tell Gail and Amber, how special it was to ride into the Comfort Inn today and to see both of them there waiting on us Adella and I to arrive … thanks a lot!

What can I say about the ride today?

First there were a lot of hills and lots of climbing … and … I can’t forget to give a special mention to the Old Sullivan road … it was amazing … yes … it was a 24% climb … and it just kept going and going … the only good thing about it was … it wasn’t raining and the road was dry!

It was a day of cycling loaded with lots of turns, lots of climbs, lots of wind, and lots of beautiful NH scenery.

For right now … let me say … I’m really glad today is in the “memory banks” of my mind!

I’m looking forward to tonight’s route rap … and … being close to family again.

Talk to you later.

Wow!  What an amazing dinner and an incredible opportunity for each of us to say “good-bye” in our own special way!

Looking forward to the finish tomorrow at Wallis Sands Beach in Portsmouth, NH.