Story told by Saskia Lindsay  

Anna Williams of Hartsville, South Carolina, has been donating blood with the American Red Cross since the 1970s. In January, Anna hit a major milestone – donating her 100th unit of lifesaving blood. 

“I was a Red Cross volunteer for 15 years, and I started donating blood when I was in my 20s,” said Anna. “I'm thankful to be able to donate. The staff is always so kind – and my experience has always been rewarding.”

Anna says that after over 50 years of donating blood, she wants to inspire others to give. She says she knows first-hand the impact that blood donations have.

“Donating blood is so, so important,” said Anna. “My sister had Glioblastoma and needed blood and platelets – I gave platelets several years ago, also. I want to bring more awareness for people to donate.”

Each day, the Red Cross needs to collect about 12,500 blood donations and nearly 3,000 platelet donations to meet the needs of patients at about 2,500 hospitals and other facilities across the country. The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.

“I already have my next appointment to donate blood,” said Anna. “There is always a crucial need.”

About 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood but only about 3% donates. The American Red Cross must collect enough blood every day to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. You can make a difference to patients in need by making an appointment to donate blood with the Red Cross at www.redcrossblood.org.