These four dedicated blood and platelet donors received the Blood Hero Award earlier this year at the American Red Cross LA Region's 18th Annual Hometown Heroes ceremony. Each year, this annual event honors Angelenos who embody the lifesaving spirit and mission of the Red Cross.
When Craig Mathent was an employee at General Telephone and Electronics, the Red Cross would come twice a year to collect blood donations from Craig and his fellow employees.
After several years, Craig realized he didn't have to wait for the blood mobile to pull up outside his office and that he could donate more often if he went directly to the Red Cross Blood collection center in Long Beach.
Ever since, Craig donates blood as many times a year as he is able, which is very impressive at his ripe young age of 90. To date, Craig has donated over 190 units of blood.
As an avid runner and bicyclist, Craig stays in great shape and plans to keep donating as long as he can.
Mary Koch started donating blood and platelets regularly 10 years ago while working as an elementary school librarian. When she retired six years ago, she decided to step things up a notch and became a blood ambassador at the Torrance Blood Donation center.
As blood donation ambassador, Mary greets all donors as they enter the center, helps them sign-in for their appointment and guides donors through the process, including handing out juice and snacks when donations are completed.
Additionally, Mary helps with office administration two days a week. As if all that isn’t more than enough, Mary has donated a lifetime total of 145 units of blood and platelets.
Larry Hassett made his first blood donation while stationed with the Navy in Hong Kong. When he transferred to the Long Beach naval shipyard in California, he continued donating blood at the Red Cross Long Beach blood center.
In the early 1990’s, a nurse at the blood donation center mentioned to Larry the need and value of platelet donations — was all Larry needed to know to add regular platelets donations to his regiment. All in all, Larry has donated 941 units of blood, plasma and platelets combined!
As a young kid, Michael Elmendorf’s father would bring Michael along to his Red Cross blood donation appointments. Once old enough, Michael carried on the tradition by making his own blood donations regularly.
When his teenage cousin died of brain cancer, Michael started donating platelets as often as possible, which can be every seven days, up to 24 times a year.
As proof positive, Michael posts a photo of his arm on Facebook with every donation and hopes he can inspire others to do the same. Michael has donated platelets over a whopping 1050 times.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA.
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