{"id":9254,"date":"2023-02-22T16:06:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T23:06:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegonewsdesk.com\/?p=9254"},"modified":"2023-02-22T16:10:02","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T23:10:02","slug":"grateful-for-blood-donors-how-a-transfusion-saved-my-life-and-why-giving-blood-matters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegonewsdesk.com\/?p=9254","title":{"rendered":"Grateful for Blood Donors: How a Transfusion Saved My Life and Why Giving Blood Matters"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Jordan Gascon<\/p>\n

As Executive Director for the Republican Party of San Diego County, I cannot overstate the importance of donating blood. Donating blood is one of the most selfless and impactful things that you can do for your fellow humans. I know this because I have personally been on the receiving end of a blood transfusion, and I owe my life to donors like John Howard, who will be donating his 100th gallon of blood on February 23rd.<\/p>\n

I will never forget the day when I lost so much blood due to an ulcer that I could have passed away. I was fortunate enough to receive a blood transfusion, and that experience showed me just how critical blood donations are for those who desperately need them. I am eternally grateful to the donors who helped save my life, and I know that countless others share a similar sentiment.<\/p>\n

John Howard is a true hero. As a dedicated platelet donor, financial supporter, and volunteer of the San Diego Blood Bank, John has made a tangible difference in the lives of so many people. Since 2001, he has donated 423 times, potentially saving over 1,200 lives. Platelets are blood cells that help control bleeding, and they are often needed by patients undergoing bone marrow transplants, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, or organ transplants.<\/p>\n

John’s commitment to helping others doesn’t stop at donating blood. He has also supported the purchase of new equipment and supplies critical to San Diego Blood Bank’s Blood Collection Program and Public Cord Blood Bank. Additionally, he has given countless hours of his time as a volunteer for the San Diego Blood Bank since 2006.<\/p>\n

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to donate blood, whether it’s your first time or your 100th. Every donation has the potential to save a life, just like mine was saved thanks to the generosity of donors. So I urge you to consider donating blood, and to take inspiration from heroes like John Howard, who have devoted their time, money, and blood to helping others. Appointments to donate blood are encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome. You can schedule your appointment by visiting www.sandiegobloodbank.org<\/a> or by calling 619-400-8251.<\/p>\n

\n
\n

DEDICATED BLOOD DONOR, FINANCIAL SUPPORTER, AND VOLUNTEER TO DONATE 100TH GALLON OF BLOOD<\/a><\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

WHAT:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Dedicated blood donor, financial supporter, and volunteer\u00a0John Howard will donate his\u00a0100<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0gallon of blood.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

WHEN:\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Thursday, February 23, 2023. John\u2019s\u00a0appointment to donate blood is\u00a0at\u00a012:00 Noon\u00a0<\/span>(note \u2013 actual donation\u202fcould\u202fstart\u202f20+\u202fminutes after appointment time)\u202f<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

WHERE:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0San Diego Blood Bank headquarters, 3636 Gateway Center Avenue, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92102.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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NOTES:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0For\u00a0over\u00a021\u00a0years,\u00a0Navy Veteran\u00a0John\u00a0Howard\u00a0has devoted his time and efforts as a\u00a0blood donor, financial\u00a0supporter,\u00a0and volunteer of San Diego Blood Bank.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

John\u00a0is a dedicated platelet donor who\u00a0has donated at San Diego Blood Bank since 2001\u00a0with a total of\u00a0423\u00a0donations to date,\u00a0potentially\u00a0saving\u00a0over\u00a01,200 lives.\u00a0Platelets are blood cells that help control bleeding. Patients undergoing\u00a0bone marrow transplants, surgeries, chemotherapy,\u00a0radiation,\u00a0or organ transplants often need platelets to survive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

John\u00a0is also\u00a0a financial donor who supported\u00a0the purchase of new equipment and\u00a0supplies critical to San Diego Blood Bank\u2019s Blood Collection Program and Public Cord Blood Bank.\u00a0Additionally, John has put in many hours as a volunteer for San Diego Blood Bank since he began in\u00a02006.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Appointments\u00a0to donate blood\u00a0are\u00a0encouraged, walk-ins are welcome. Appointments available at\u00a0<\/span>www.sandiegobloodbank.org<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or by calling 619-400-8251.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Image Credit: Canva<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Jordan Gascon As Executive Director for the Republican Party of San Diego County, I cannot overstate the importance of donating blood. Donating blood is one of the most selfless and impactful things that you can do for your fellow humans. I know this because I have personally been on the receiving end of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9255,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"yoast_head":"\nGrateful for Blood Donors: How a Transfusion Saved My Life and Why Giving Blood Matters - San Diego News Desk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sandiegonewsdesk.com\/?p=9254\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Grateful for Blood Donors: How a Transfusion Saved My Life and Why Giving Blood Matters - San Diego News Desk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Written by Jordan Gascon As Executive Director for the Republican Party of San Diego County, I cannot overstate the importance of donating blood. 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