Here's Bill Conroy’s, The Blood Alliance’s first 100-gallon donor:
“I joined the US Army in 1961. It was around that time, ‘someone’ needed blood, and I was available and able to give. I joined nine of my friends, and they became regular blood donors to help that ‘someone’ named John, who turned out to be a hemophiliac. After donating, we stopped by a deli, bought sandwiches and brought it back to our clubhouse where we watched a game and were offered free drinks (because the ‘someone’ we donated for was a fellow club member). It was too alluring!
I moved to Jacksonville in 1988 and most of my prior donations transferred into my new account with The Blood Alliance.
When someone asks me why I give blood, I tell the story of how ‘greed’ keeps me coming back. My 5-year-old grandson at that time asked me why I put money in a Salvation Army kettle. My response was that according to this book I read (the Bible), if you give to charity, you will receive 10-fold returns. So ‘greed’ is good, and I believe I’ve been given 10-fold returns – my wonderful family, life and friends!”
A Poem By Maren Cesarini:
Elixir My crimson gift, rich blood, through my veins, once flowing, is now beating, through the chambers, of a stranger's heart, gleaming, elixir of life, strengthen my new relation, restore vitality to thee, perfect stranger.
However you choose to submit this valuable information, please realize that you are helping to convince others to donate and save lives in our community.
Please note that by submitting your story, you are granting permission for your story to be used in any written publication materials or for media use. You are also granting permission for your name and photograph to be used in association with your story, and for any photographs to remain the property of The Blood Alliance and/or the media. Thank you for sharing your story!