By: Nick Gibson

“I’ve donated in all 50 states—twice! I’m on my third tour. This state is the 18th on my third tour,” said Al Whitney proudly as he donated platelets recently at the Columbia, SC Donor Center.

The 86-year-old founder of “Platelets Across America” is no stranger to the American Red Cross and giving blood and platelets. Al began donating blood products nearly 60 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio.

“I was in downtown Cleveland one day, and there was a building with a Red Cross on it that said ‘donate blood.’ I walked in and donated. When I walked out, I was standing and waiting for the traffic light to change. I hear a voice that says, ‘Al, you can do more than this,’” said Al.

That voice inspired Al to want to host blood drives, a personal mission he maintained until he retired in 2000. Now, Al travels the country and beyond to donate platelets, share his message of giving, and offer a few words of encouragement to the staff. 

“Donating platelets is easier on the body than whole blood. It takes 56 days for the body to replace all the components of whole blood. The platelets will be replaced in possibly 24 to 48 hours,” said Al, on his passion for educating others on the lifesaving power of blood and platelet donations. 

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving chronic diseases, traumatic injuries, and fighting cancer. 

“There is someone in the hospital that needs blood to stay alive. When you donate blood, your gift can help save more than one life,” said Al. “Think of the patients. They don’t like needles any more than you do. But they have to have blood products to stay alive; that needle is going to save someone’s life.”

Every 15 seconds, someone needs platelets. Platelets must be used within five days, and new donors are needed daily. Join Al in rolling up your sleeves to save lives. Make an appointment to give blood or platelets at redcrossblood.org.