Rick Helms, Northern California Blood Services Region, Oakland, Calif.

I am a constant blood and platelet recipient because I have severe aplastic anemia, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, and myelodysplastic syndromes, all bone marrow failure syndromes. I volunteer at the Contra Costa Blood Center in Pleasant Hill, Calif., where I meet donors and talk to some of them about my transfusion dependency.

I give the donors the huge thanks they deserve and raise them up to "super hero" status. I also let them know how grateful my family and I are for their donations, which help keep me alive.

Audrey Hampshire, the receptionist at the center, says that many donors who don't make a follow-up appointment when coming in decide to do so before leaving. They tell Audrey they were inspired by me.

I enjoy volunteering at the blood center and do so many times a week, occasionally staying all day. Some days I'm in a lot of pain, but it's worth it to be able to shake hands with the donors and thank them from the bottom of my heart.

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