I was just reading the daily summary from the CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY and came across a story of a many engaged in a friendly rivalry to see how much blood he can donate. We talk here about community building and it takes people contributing in all sorts of ways to build our communities. Here is an example of someone literally bleeding for the betterment of his neighbors. This really is sort of a fun story and should, I hope, make others think about doing their share in the fight for an adequate blood supply. Lots of surgery cannot happen without blood being on hand:



September 08, 2009
Long Island Man Moves Toward Blood-Donation Record

Every year since 1951, a Long Island man has donated blood — and today he’s scheduled to do it again, bringing his lifetime total donation to 40 gallons, reports Newsday.

Al Fischer, a 75-year-old printer in Massapequa, N.Y., has given 319 pints of blood. Mr. Fischer’s total puts him second in line behind the American who has given more blood, Maurice Wood, 83, a St. Louis retiree, according to the New York Blood Center. “He’s about six or seven pints ahead of me,” said Mr. Fischer, who adds that the pair are engaged in a friendly rivalry.

Mr. Fischer racked up his total by giving blood every eight weeks, notes Harvey Schaffler, executive director of Long Island Blood Services. “He’s a one-man army, who has helped almost a thousand people,” he says.