By: Tia Norrington
It could’ve been any ordinary table but seated at the Roswell Rotary Club was more than just a group of people, it was a table of lifesavers. Seven extraordinary Georgia residents who have all given at least 100 pints of blood for a combined 1,040 pints total!
Michael Curling, a Roswell resident, was one of those lifesavers being honored for donating his 100th pint. Curling donated his 99th and 100th pint during what is called a Power Red donation. This type of donation allows a donor to safely give two units of red blood cells during one donation. For reaching this coveted milestone, and as a Rotary Club member, the group took this opportunity to celebrate him.
Curling has been donating blood since he was a student at the University of Georgia in Athens as a sophomore in college and started at a blood drive on campus. He was inspired to donate his first pint of lifesaving blood in honor of his friend Peter that passed away from cancer. Now for 20 years, he has been giving blood.
Curling said, “my reason for donating so regularly has changed over time,” he continues, “several personal relationships have actually needed those blood donations and it makes it more apparent to me that we have to keep giving.”
“My favorite feature of the Red Cross Blood Donor app is seeing which hospital the blood goes to. It has been super impactful.” Curling adds, “You feel the continued benefits of the donation. It drives home the significance.”
Curling’s journey to his 100 pints has encouraged others in his life to donate blood. He says, “my younger brother and his wife are also regular donors.”
During the luncheon, the other guests with 100 or more blood donations were recognized and applauded. The energy at the round table was warm and inviting with big smiles all around. Everyone there was fueled by the Red Cross mission.
This generous group shared their reasons for donating throughout the luncheon. One donor with 130 units, John Brothers, said he and his wife have “date night donations” and added, “it’s a great place to bond”. Brothers started donating blood because, “I was afraid of giving blood, but wanted to face my fear and found out it wasn’t as bad as I thought”.
Understanding the impacts blood donations can make, Curling encourages others to donate blood or volunteer. “Not everybody is eligible to donate, but there are other ways to contribute. You can support a blood drive as a volunteer. If you’re fortunate enough to donate blood, consider it and maybe you’ll connect with it the same way a bunch of us have.”
When Curling is not donating lifesaving blood or running the New Kent Capital investment company, he’s fishing, cheering on the Braves, and spending time with his family as he is a proud father of three girls. Also, he works as a middle and high school facilitator for the Interact Club which is a youth volunteer program out of the Roswell Rotary Club. He is a true humanitarian and he’s looking forward to his next blood donation.
Here is the breakdown of units donated per guest at the table of lifesavers:
Blood donation appointments help the Red Cross ensure blood products are ready for patients whenever there is a need. Sign up to donate at a drive near you at redcrossblood.org.