Bob Sverci pictured during his 40th blood donation at the Cascade People's Center in Seattle, joining a select group of donors who have each given five gallons of blood to the Red Cross.
By: Ray Lapine, American Red Cross Northwest Region Volunteer
Bob Sverci has been consistently donating blood for years, just recently donating his 40th pint of blood at a Red Cross blood drive in Seattle.
He's been a Red Cross blood donor since 2011 and his most recent donation in February means he has joined a select group of donors who have each given five gallons of blood to the Red Cross.
Bob's most recent donation was at the Cascade People's Center in Seattle; his first donation was in Arlington, Virginia. There he was able to attend a Red Cross blood drive his office was holding a few floors down from his desk. He says he was “inspired to donate blood by coworkers who were donating” that day.
Bob admits he is intimidated by the idea of giving blood. “I have a tendency to faint from the sight of needles,” he said. So he looks away when the phlebotomist is first putting in the needle used for the donation. But, as is proof in his forty visits to blood drives, Bob obviously is not intimidated enough to keep him from being a dedicated donor. He knows the importance of donating blood after seeing multiple family members need blood transfusions.
Getting a good night's sleep the night before, having a good breakfast or lunch the day of, and keeping yourself well hydrated are among Bob's suggestions for people who want to donate. He also recommends having some good reading material on your phone and letting the phlebotomist know how you are feeling.
Bob does have a favorite part of the process. It's “afterwards when I get to have snacks and a juice box; it makes me feel like a little kid again in summer camp!”
Bob's thoughts about donating for more than a decade? He sums it up this way: “It's wild to think that I've been donating blood for over a decade now, but I'm proud that I stuck with it. I've had family members and friends over the years who have needed blood transfusions, and they've sent their thanks to me since it's so important to have an adequate supply of blood.”
You're a hero in our eyes, Bob! Thank you for your continued dedication to helping patients in need.
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