An 84-year-old man has donated 100 gallons of blood according to Fox News. Harold Mendenhall has dedicated his extra time to donating blood as a form of therapy throughout the years. His first donation was made on July 7, 1977. The memorable donation was done at the One Blood center in Lake Park.
According to The Palm Beach Post, Mendenhall began donating blood when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer as a "way to honor her struggle while helping other medically-fragile patients." Unfortunately, his wife lost her battle against cancer and donating blood became his way of coping with her death along with the death of two of his children.
"For some reason I'm still here and I'm grateful. That's one of the reasons I keep donating. Giving blood can only be done by a human being, so that's been my payback for my career and my good health and all the blessings I've had. I realized that while scientist are trying to develop a man-made blood, they haven't succeeded yet, so I feel like I'm filling in until they achieve that breakthrough, " Mendenhall said.
Health care professionals who have worked with Mendenhall say the dedicated donor is highly reliable and a joy to be around. "He has got to be the nicest, most generous person I know. If we call him with a special need, he always, always comes in," said Frankie Groover, a helper for at the platelets division at One Blood.
The 183-pound man credits his good health to an active lifestyle and the routine test performed prior to his donations. As long as his body allows it and the demand is there, Mendenhall plans to continue donating blood and encouraged healthy people like himself to do the same.
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