LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

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!

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 …