DECATUR, Ill. (November 14, 2008) – Many blood donors have special reasons for giving. For one local donor, the reason is personal as several of his family members have been blood recipients. Dr. Alan Grusby, Senior Scientist at ADM in Decatur, Ill., has donated 200 pints of blood and continues to donate every 56 days.  

“When I was 10 years old, my father received 30 pints of blood during life-saving surgery for a bleeding ulcer,” Dr. Grusby said. “More recently, my brother received 25 pints of blood after being shot at close range during a robbery attempt. In both cases, neither my father nor my brother would have lived through the night without donated blood being available.” 

Blood donation is a way to give back to the community and to help patients like Dr. Grusby’s father and brother. Whatever your reason is for giving, when you give blood you play an extremely important role to help ensure a safe and adequate blood supply is available during the winter months. The blood supply is particularly vulnerable throughout the holiday season because donors are traveling and forget to schedule blood donation appointments. 

“Only donations from healthy individuals can accomplish this most vital act of kindness and responsibility to all of our families,” Dr. Grusby said. “Please sign up and donate a pint of blood.”

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with a signed Red Cross parental/guardian consent form where state permits, must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.