Local platelet donor rolls up his sleeve for the 500th time
The American Red Cross is celebrating a long time local donor who has achieved a major platelet donation milestone. In December 84- year-old Cecil Boone of Roanoke County made his 500th platelet donation at the American Red Cross Roanoke Blood Donation Center. He is only the third donor in the American Red Cross Appalachian Blood Services Region to achieve this record milestone.
Platelets are the clotting factor in blood and only have a shelf life of five days. The primary use for platelets in this community is for cancer and leukemia patients. Platelet donations take approximately two to three hours and donations can be made every seven day – a total of 24 times a year. According to these calculations, Boone has spent over six months of his life on a Red Cross donor bed giving the gift of life through platelet donation.
Gathered by his family and Red Cross staff, Boone donated his 500th platelet donation. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a celebratory chocolate cake adorned by strawberries and the number of this special donation. When asked why he has donated platelets so many times, Boone was quick with a straightforward answer,”I am pleased to be able to do it . . . Everybody that is healthy enough to do this should give to their fellow man.”
The winter is a difficult time of year for blood and platelet donations. Many holiday activities and preparations pull regular donors away from blood donation. Inclement weather and seasonal illness, like the flu, often result in fewer blood donations during the winter holidays. Boone’s donation was made at a crucial time of the year. “Cecil Boone is a real superhero,” said Page Gambill, CEO of the American Red Cross Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian Blood Services Regions. “I cannot express my gratitude enough for donors like Cecil Boone who not only donate regularly, but have achieved such a magnificent milestone. He has made an incredible difference in our community and has helped save over one thousand lives.”
Interested platelet donors should call 1-866-353-1030 to make an appointment to donate platelets in the Appalachian Blood Services Region.
How to donate blood : Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
