LIFE ACROSS AMERICA 2010

Blood fact: “Cancer, transplant and trauma patients, and patients undergoing open-heart surgery may require platelet transfusions to survive.”

It was another incredible day for me … as I visited the UBS Blood Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. 

What a beautiful center it is and I really enjoyed meeting, greeting and thanking donors and blood center staff alike.

Tupelo is also the birthplace of Elvis (The King) … A special thanks to Harry, Diane, Steve and Rhonda, Chad and Christa (from WCBI), Wendy, Sabrina, Vickie, Brittany, and all the donors whom I met today, thanks to Jonathon Davis, Councilmember of City of Tupelo … thank you for your hospitality and your incredible Proclamation!

It’s amazing how the message … Giving Blood Saves Lives and Families … resonates with folks down here!

Thank you to Mr. Vaughn, a donor, who also is a beekeeper and gave me a jar of his “Vaughn Family Honey” … thanks a million for your generosity!

To Diane … you are amazing … thanks for making sure I made it to the blood center and introducing me to the folks there …

It was fun talking to the news folks at WCBI, Chad and Christa.

Steve and Rhonda … it was an honor to visit with you today.  Steve, thanks for your wonderful prayer at lunch.

All in all, it was a beautiful day in Tupelo with wonderful folks … you are AWESOME!

After uploading the Tupelo pix to Facebook … I then drove the 110 miles to Memphis, TN.

What a beautiful drive … incredible scenery … although very hot and with lots of humidity.

Sometimes I think it’s easier to cycle in this kind of weather … than to “walk” in it … maybe not … I’ll get my chance in Jackson, MS, on Tuesday … to test out that “theory”, eh?

Well, I’m now in ”downtown Memphis” … and … I’ll be here tonight and tomorrow night, so I’ll check in with you later.

Blood fact: “Anemic patients need blood transfusions to increase their red blood cells levels.”

Wow!  Another incredible day already … it started out with a 8:00-8:30 a.m. radio interview with Mike Wooford, host of the WGTJ (We’ve Got The Joy) radio station at 1330 AM, out of Gainesville, FL, what an amazing man and a survivor of cancer … someone who really knows and understands how blood can SAVE lives!

Thanks to LifeSouth and all the incredible work they do “behind the scenes” to serve their local community and “provide for and meet” the demand for the need for blood, platelets, plasma, RBC’s, and other blood components.

I’m getting ready to visit the UBS Meridian, MS, blood center … a special thanks to Heather Knight for coordinating everything locally for UBS ( in Hattiesburg, Meridian, and Tupelo, MS)

Lots of radio interviews coming up … and … the incredible opportunity to thank the local donors and local blood center staff … Wow!  (I want to thank God for my 2nd chance at life and my chance to meet the top 5% of our society, the donors!”)

Talk to you later … don’t forget to check out Facebook … “Give Blood” and our home page at www.lifeacrossamerica.com where if you want you can connect to FABC (Foundation of America’s Blood Centers) and make a financial donation to help us meet our goal of $110,000! Here is the link: (https://americasblood.securedonation.org/support/form?jid=EC0127&source=laa)

Talk to you later after visiting Meridian … and … then I’ll be driving to Tupelo, MS, about 150 miles away.

It was another beautiful day at the UBS Meridian Blood Center … lots of news media there … Scott, Operations Mgr., from WKZB, WMLV, WJXM, WUCL, and WALT radio stations.  Angie D., from 30 WGBC and other TV stations.

I met lots of donors and many staff … and … had the opportunity to speak at a luncheon hosted by UBS … I met Mark, Chief Admin Office for the City of Meridian. (who was representing the Mayor … Sherry)

Plus the opportunity to thank many of the UBS staff: Janie, Monica, J.W.(Dir of Center Ops), Tony, Angela, Katie, and Cheryl at there beautiful new donor center adjacent to TJ MAXX …

The weather has been very hot and very humid … with lots of rain (on and off)

I’m now in Tupelo, MS, which I think is the birthplace of Elvis and tomorrow night I’ll be in Memphis … where Elvis lived out his final days in Graceland … so I’m looking forward to meeting the upcoming staff and donors.

I’ll check in tomorrow with you.

Blood fact: “Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children undergoing heart surgery, need blood and platelets from donors of all types … especially type O.”

Another amazing day on the road … this time to the UBS blood center in Hattiesburg, MS.

The day started out with two radio interviews by phone:  9:00 a.m. the interview was with Craig Horton on Sunny93 in Tupelo, MS, and 9:10 a.m. it was with Scott Spencer at Miss 98 …. both hosts were very concerned about helping their “listeners” become more aware of the need for blood in their local community.

Then over to the blood center where I met their blood donors and their staff … at noon … they hosted a luncheon for dignitaries from City of Hattiesburg, MS, and their local TV station, and two of the news reporters … Thank you to John H. Brown, (assistant to the Mayor), Mike Blount (Hattiesburg American) and many of the staff … Tony, Angela, Christina, Heather, and the awesome donors who took the time to donate and speak with the local TV reporters … and … news reporters!

It was another great day on the road … “On the road again … I just can’t wait to get on the road again,  the life I love is meeting, greeting and thanking donors and staff” 

I’m now in Meridian and have a 8:00 a.m. radio interview tomorrow with Mike Wooford, WGTJ, out of Gainesville, FL … it should be another awesome day!

Talk to you later …

Blood fact: “The average whole blood and red blood cell transfusion is: 2.7 pints.”

Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe how lucky I am … yet … each day as I drive to a new blood center like the one I visited today at: LifeSouth, Mobile, Alabama (Coastal Alabama) the largest provider of blood products in the state of Alabama.

It was just like getting a “2nd chance” at life … all over again.  These donors are so “selfless” and the blood center “staff” are some of the most giving, compassionate human beings that I’ve met … (yes, I know I keep repeating myself on a daily basis … yet, it’s true)

Even though they are in different locales, with different donors, and different staff … it’s the same “selfless” theme that is always there… once they find out that I’m a “blood recipient” and I’m there to “thank them” for being a vital “link” in the chain of the “gift of life” from donors to recipients!

Today had some special treats of southern hospitality … Keith, Lacy, and Angie took me out to lunch … after our visit to the local TV station … where I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Varion Ward, the news anchor on channel 15 News, www.local15TV.com, (about promoting blood awareness in their local community.)

And then later I had the opportunity to visit with many of their staff in components, distribution, donor services, and admin.

Plus I had a nice surprise when Scott Christmas (another Five Points of Life cyclist and another recipient) drove from Pensacola to Mobile to surprise me!  Scott … thank you so much for being there … you have an amazing story of life and … a beautiful 4 year old daughter, what a lucky man!

Another delightful surprise was the gift from Keith … a LifeSouth “Blood Drop” tie … (Keith, I will wear it honorably … and … think of LifeSouth’s hospitality, each time I put it on!)

Angela and Lacy … I will be looking forward to hearing from you on 5Oct10 … (possible radio interview by phone)

For those of you reading this post … and … you are unable to donate blood because of “medical reasons” … there is a couple of ways you can contribute:  encourage your healthy friends and family to give blood … or … give a financial donation to Foundation of American Blood Centers or your local blood center. (there are “links” on the LAA home page to help you make a financial donation!)

Soon after uploading the LifeSouth pix to Facebook … I then drove 100 miles to Hattiesburg, MS, and I’m now looking forward to tomorrow and another exciting day at the UBS Hattiesburg, MS, blood center.

Talk to you later … (to Gail and my family … I miss your smiling faces!)

Blood fact: “Much of today’s medical care depends on a steady supply of blood from healthy donors.”

Today I spent the day in Pensacola, FL, at the NW Florida Blood Services, it was a Grand Opening of their new donor center … a beautiful building!

There were lots of dignitaries … Mayor of the city,Pensacola, Sheriff of Escambia County, David Morgan, several of the Board of Directors, Ann Pierce Terumo Medical Corp, and many incredible donors and lots of Blood Center staff.

A special thank you to Bette, Don, Jeanne, Daniel, Roger, and many others who played a critical part in making the Grand Opening such a great success!  You are awesome!

Thank you to Bette and Stephanie for dinner last night … and … for lunch today.

I had the extra honor of meeting up with my cousin, Len Crawford, who is a local resident of Pensacola … and … grateful that he helped me find my brother, Eugene’s, gravesite at the National Cemetary. (Thanks Len … it was great to visit with you again!)

Don’t forget to check out the amazing pix of donors and staff on Facebook … as usual, FBS did an exceptional job of organizing the Grand Opening.  I also had the opportunity to meet several donors  (husband and wife teams), even families came to donate together, and Bette gave me the opportunity to visit with the “lab employees” in all of their various areas.

Once again, it was an honor and a privilege for me to meet and thank the donors who were in Pensacola at the grand opening … and … it was a lot of fun to meet the Pensacola  NW FL Blood Services staff. (I am in awe each time I meet with them … they are truly amazing!)

It is so nice when everyone welcomes you and lets you know how much they appreciate a “blood recipient” coming back to say “thank you” to each of them. (It helps remind them of the reason they are doing what they do … day in and day out!)

After a 60 mile drive, I’m now in Mobile, Alabama … and have made contact with Angela Williams, letting her know that I am in town and we will meet tomorrow morning.

Talk to you later …

FYI, after tomorrow’s LifeSouth Mobile visit, I start working my way through Mississippi … UBS Hattiesburg, Meridian, Tupelo, (then up to Memphis, Tenn), and back down to Jackson and Alexandria, Miss., then on over to Waco and Dallas, TX … then up to Oklahoma City. 

It’s going to be a very busy week … yet … I’m looking forward to it very much!

Blood fact: “How long can frozen plasma be stored?  One year!”

Today I spent the day at the SE Community Blood Center in Tallahassee, FL. 

It started early and Mike Stiles came back the Hotel Duval at 8:15 a.m. to show me how to get to their blood center. 

I spent the entire day visiting with staff and thanking “donors”.

I was invited to speak to their staff and share my story with their employees … reminding them how important it is for them to stay focused on the “why” of their jobs … that giving blood really works and that the donors who come in to give “the gift of life” are the ”true heroes” in today’s society… they give of themselves, they give up  their time, and they help save lives in such a “selfless” manner … and that is why should all try to emulate their acts of compassionate service!

I was also interviewed by two local TV stations (Patty Santos of ABC Channel 27) and by one local PRN station … WFSU 88.9 FM. (by Tom Flanigan)

All top of all that … they had sent up a “dunk tank” … giving donors and staff alike the opportunity to “dunk” supervisors and anyone that wanted to participate … one of the favorite supervisors that everyone wanted to “dunk” was the lucky Mr. Mike Stiles. (what a great sport he was … check out the pix on Facebook)

Finally after the last interview with Jennifer,  it was time to move on up the road for me … and … I drove 3 hours up to Pensacola, FL … and … I was met at the hotel by Bette who drove us over to meet Stephanie at a local restaurant for a very nice dinner … tomorrow is another big day … so it’s time for bed … talk to you tomorrow.

Blood Fact: “How long can “platelets” be stored? Only for 5 days!” (that is why there is a constant demand for them)

Today was one of those (beautiful) rest days spent driving from St. Petersburg to Tallahassee, FL.  And on the way I stopped to visit family in Citrus Springs and Beverly Hills, FL.  (I also stopped to visit my sister Rose’s gravesite … and … take a moment to reflect on her contributions to my family and to my life!)

I’m now in Tallahassee at the Hotel Duval … it’s a beautiful place and I have a meeting with Mike S, from the blood center a little later in the evening.  I’m looking forward to meeting with him and discussing the plans for tomorrow.

I’m still trying to recover from my laptop crash … in the process of reinstalling Outlook and all the other programs … I’m making progress so I should be grateful that I can still do the BLOG and upload pix to Facebook, eh?

Talk with you later.

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 …