By: Sara Trammell, Chapter Media
CoordinatorThe Cherokee County Red Cross honored James on Tuesday August 12 for his
donation of 23 gallons of blood over a period of forty years. James began his career of
giving when on a college summer break working for the Army. He found out he could get four
hours of sick leave if he donated blood. He gave blood and took the afternoon for swimming
and fun.
The Red Cross gives a pin for every gallon of blood given. It took James about ten
years to earn his 3-gallon pin. Now, he gives blood approximately every 56 days eventually
giving a gallon in 15 months. Even when a local blood drive is not available, James looks
to other locations; such as Huntsville, Birmingham, and Gadsdento get his donation in.
What's his motivation? James said, "I like being able to help people anonymously.
Something like three or more people can benefit from each pint of blood a person donates.
Most people know that whole blood can be used for direct transfusion. However, it is not
so widely known that blood can be broken down into its component parts and one pint of
blood might provide up to four components, sometimes used separately or in combination.
Not bad for something that only takes about 45 minutes from start to finish. Red Cross
statistics indicate that 56 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood. But
only 4 percent of the population do. Only 2 percent ever donate a gallon in their
lifetime, only 1 percent donates five gallons. And less than one-half of one percent ever
donate five or more gallons in their lifetime."
