By Volunteer Shea Gallagher

Behind every lifesaving blood donation is a dedicated donor, and at the heart of the Red Cross, these selfless individuals make all the difference. Every year, millions of donors step forward to donate blood to help those in need, and among them is John Burns, whose unwavering commitment to helping others perfectly embodies the spirit of the Red Cross.

John has always been driven by a sense of service, spending 11 years in the Air Force. Although Air Force regulations prevented him from donating blood during that time, it wasn’t long after his service ended that John’s daughter unexpectedly launched his journey as a donor, proudly signing him up for a school-organized blood drive. What started as a simple act became a lasting commitment to giving back. Years later, John is working on his eighteenth gallon of blood donated. When asked what keeps John coming back to the Red Cross blood drives, he said, “It’s something I can do that hopefully makes the world a better place.”

John’s dedication to making the world a better place is clear not only through his commitment to blood donation, but also in the little ways he finds to brighten someone’s day. He started off his February by donating blood once again and making the day special for the Red Crossers staffing the blood drive. John brought gifts for every Red Crosser, his way of cheering them on and showing his appreciation for their efforts.

These gifts were not the only special contribution John made at his most recent blood drive. He also brought with him a brand new blood donor, one who shares his enthusiasm for helping others. A few days after one of his regular blood donations with the Red Cross, John was out with friends when the topic came up. Though donating blood was second nature to John, it left a lasting impression on a young man named Paul, the grandson of one of John’s friends. Inspired by John’s commitment, Paul, just fourteen at the time, expressed interest in donating himself. John promised that when Paul was old enough, he would be there to support him on his first donation. Two years later, neither of them had forgotten that promise, and Paul was eager to finally keep his word and donate with John by his side. This readiness was evident at Paul’s first blood drive. Any nerves that Paul felt were no match for his motivation to continue John’s legacy of helping people.

After both had completed their donations, John proudly presented Paul with his very own Red Cross donor pin—passing on not just a meaningful token, but a shared commitment to making a difference in the world. At the Red Cross, we deeply appreciate the unwavering dedication of our donors. Their generosity not only helps save lives but also spreads hope and care to those in need. We are truly grateful for the hearts of our donors, whose dedication to giving back inspires us all to keep moving forward in the spirit of love and service.