At 18 years old, this man became a blood donor and donated blood for 67 years. Thanks to this, he saved more than 2.4 million lives. His blood is considered precious, and here’s why.
It all started when James was 14 years old. He had to undergo surgery to remove a lung, and it was through the blood transfusions he received that he was able to survive. Imagine that—at an age when most of us think about the trivialities of everyday life, James decided to give back what he had received. He promised himself that he would become a blood donor as soon as he could.
At 18, true to his promise, James became a blood donor for the Red Cross. And he didn’t stop after just a few donations. No, this incredible man continued to donate blood for 67 years, donating more than 1,100 times. Can you imagine? 1,100 times he sat in that chair, extended his arm, and gave a part of himself to save lives. It’s both touching and inspiring.
What makes James’s story even more exceptional is that he has a very rare blood type known as D negative. This blood is not only compatible with all blood types but is also crucial for treating Rh disease, a dangerous condition for newborns.
Thanks to this special donor blood, James was able to save over 2.4 million lives—mostly newborns.
Now that James has reached the age limit where blood donation is prohibited, he has had to retire. But his impact is so great that the Red Cross calculated the number of lives saved and thanked him for his dedication to the cause.
