Platelet Donor and Loyal Volunteer Takes to the Road

Written by Ray Steen, Staff Writer, Redcross.org

After Tony's experience with his mother, he has persuaded others to donate their time and much-needed platelets for those in need.

February 27, 2002—Carol Louise Gentilcore was diagnosed with leukemia in 1990. But before she died nine years later, she lived an almost normal, active life thanks to her son Tony, and his four siblings, who donated much-needed platelets for their mother.

"When the doctor told us she had leukemia, he said the whole family had to come in and donate platelets," Tony said. "I didn't even know what platelets were."

Each week, Tony, his brother Rick, and his sisters Nancy, Mary and Betty visited a Frederick, Md., donor center to replenish their mother's private blood bank. It was there that Tony realized the importance of being a donor.

"Our whole family is indebted to the staff of the Frederick Donor Center, who came in on their day off just so that our mother could get her platelets from a member of her family," Tony said. Ever since, Tony has become a loyal volunteer and platelet donor at the American Red Cross.

Tony's accomplishments go beyond the help he's provided at the Red Cross. Tony spent countless hours volunteering at the Rockville Donor Center following Sept. 11, and has never missed a blood drive assignment, regardless of the time or the location. But many people know Tony outside of seeing him at blood drives. They see him on the road.

The rear license plate of Tony's '98 Ford Escort reads "PLATLET," accompanied by a "Donate Blood" bumper sticker.

"Many people honk their horns and stretch out their arms, and I know they are a member of the one-percent club," Tony said. The one-percent club is the nickname donors give themselves because less than one percent of America's eligible donors actually donate platelets.

"Platelet donors are rare and committed blood donors," said Janine Boulad of the Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Region. "Unlike a whole blood donation, which takes about 10 minutes, a platelet donation can take up to two hours." Tony recently registered himself with the National Marrow Donor Program as well.

"It's the fear that bothers people and prevents them from donating," Tony said. When people stop to ask Tony about his vanity plate, he hands them two booklets of information — one on donating platelets, and another on how to coordinate blood drives.

"If you think sitting in a chair for an hour or so with two needles stuck in you is bad, consider trading places with the recipient," Tony said. "Sometimes the truth hurts, but it needs to be told."

Tony coordinates blood drives at his church in Silver Spring, Md., and also speaks at volunteer orientations, where he shares his message of how donating blood and platelets can help a loved one.

"I didn't know it, but my platelets went to my best friend's son who has cancer," Tony said. "That's when it hit home. It's nice to know that you really are doing something." Tony is also a direct donor for two of his friends at the University of Maryland Hospital Center in Baltimore.

Professionally, Tony is a real estate settlement agent and also owns a small firm that does private investigations for attorneys, but his real passion is volunteering. "It's fun. I love it and I enjoy it," Tony said.

When he's not volunteering with the Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Region, he helps the American Red Cross Montgomery County (Maryland) Chapter. Tony actively recruits blood and platelet donors, and also coordinates Montgomery County's "Done in a Day" program, which focuses on short-term volunteer projects.

"In the Chesapeake and Potomac Blood region, we require 1,300 units of blood daily," Boulad said. "Without people like Tony who are willing to take on the responsibility of coordinating blood drives, we would be unable to meet this goal."

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