On April 5, North Central resident Don Richardson reached a milestone 240th blood donation – he has already scheduled his 241st (submitted photo).
Phoenix College English instructor Don Richardson recently donated blood for the 240th time, for a total of 30 gallons over the past five decades.
He said of the milestone, “This all started when I was hospitalized with a hemorrhaging duodenal ulcer while in college; I received 11 pints of blood. This happened again when I was in graduate school, requiring another three pints. I realized that I might have died without these transfusions, and I realized I owed a debt. So, I began donating blood. After several donations, I saw it had become a habit.”
In May, residents can sign up to donate blood on various dates at the Vitalant Donation Center, 5757 N. Black Canyon Hwy.; through the Vitalant Bloodmobile on May 7 at Phoenix Plaza, 2929 N. Central Ave.; and May 11 at Home Depot, 12434 N. Cave Creek Road; or on May 13 at Hansen Mortuary Chapel, 8314 N. 7th St.; and May 22 at Phoenix VA Healthcare System – Ambulatory Care Basement, 650 E. Indian School Road.
Sign up or find more dates at www.vitalant.org or by calling 877-25-VITAL. Blood donors can also check the American Red Cross website to find a blood drive or location near them. Visit www.redcrossblood.org.
