By Roxanne Schorbach, American Red Cross Volunteer

It was early on Christmas Eve morning when Cindy Didier arrived at Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona, to donate blood. For Cindy, this visit was especially meaningful. She was celebrating her six-gallon milestone—marking nearly 50 years of donating blood and quietly giving back to her community.

Cindy’s connection to the location runs deep. A U.S. Army veteran, she shared that donating at the Civil Air Patrol building at Falcon Airport feels like home. “It’s my favorite place to donate,” she said. Cindy began donating blood at age 18 and has continued ever since, scheduling herself for at least four donations each year. For her, donating has always felt simple, welcoming, and worthwhile.

What motivates Cindy most is knowing who her blood helps. “I’m a hero for babies,” she said with a smile. “My blood type is O-negative, and that’s what’s given to babies. That makes me feel very good.”

O-negative blood is the standard in neonatal intensive care units and emergency situations because it is universally compatible, making it safe for fragile, developing immune systems. Babies often need multiple small transfusions, which is one reason O-negative blood is always in high demand. A single donation can help save the lives of multiple infants.

Cindy also finds joy in the small moments that come with giving. One of her favorite perks? The Red Cross T-shirts that donors sometimes receive. “They’re really cool—and super soft,” she laughed, “I wear them often, and they seem to always start conversations. When people ask about my shirt, I get to tell them I earned it by donating blood with the American Red Cross.” For Cindy, blood donation is more than a habit—it’s a lifelong commitment to helping others, one quiet act of kindness at a time.