Two days after celebrating his centennial birthday on Feb 12, a retired oil worker from California, Louis Kerker marched into Houchin Community Blood Bank and donated blood on National Donor Day (in United States of America), which was also Valentine’s Day.
Kerker’s 100th birthday celebration schedule was pretty jammed. He has a party with neighbours, his staff at his doctor’s office and also with the sheriff. Consequently, Kerker delayed his blood donation for a couple of days to coincide with Valentine’s Day. It was his way of truly giving from his heart.
“If I can help somebody that way, it’s the least I can do”, Kerker explained. This was not the first time Kerker donated blood. He began donating years ago on an occasional basis. After terrorists attack the United States on Sept 11, 2001, Kerker became a regular donor.
“When the towers went down, I became a steady customer”, he said. “I head over to Houchin every 56 days, when they call me and donate. I’ve made a point to get on a schedule and have been doing it ever since.”
NOTE: In USA, a person can donate once in 56 days, but in India it is once in 90 days (according to NACO guidelines).
(Article inspired by news in AABB brief)