Jim and Linda Parker started their blood donation journey together more than 30 years ago as newlyweds booking appointments together at the Wichita Red Cross Blood Donation Center.

They broadened that journey in 2004 to raise awareness of the need for blood donation, setting out to give blood or platelets at every American Red Cross donor center. The retired educators visited 34 regions in 27 states, traveling thousands of miles in their white minivan with “Donate Across America” on the side.

In 2006, the Parkers decided to donate in all 50 states. In 2009, they started going for every Armed Services Blood Program site in the country.

After completing all of those goals, they’ve reached the latest stop on their journey: the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame.

Jim and Linda are among the 14-member class of 2026 announced by Fresenius Kabi on Oct. 15. The global health care company has partnered with blood centers through the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame for over 25 years to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to blood donation.

This year’s inductees hail from Hawaii to Florida, with two nominations from the Red Cross. Some have given blood for decades, breaking records in the process. Others have inspired and educated their colleagues and students on the importance of blood donation. The 2026 honorees join more than 350 others inducted into the Fresenius Kabi National Blood Donation Hall of Fame in the last 28 years.

The Parkers have wonderful memories from all over the country — hearing directly from patients impacted by their campaign, wrapping up their 50-state challenge in Hawaii, giving at military facilities filled with young service members ready to greet them and donate alongside them — but every two weeks, they now give platelets at the Red Cross donor center in Wichita, Kansas, where the people are “like family.”

Jim and Linda donated together there on Oct. 13 before receiving their hall of fame pins and certificates at a presentation ceremony.

“These donations represent thousands of patients whose lives have been touched by your generosity, and your story reminds us of why blood donations matter,” Shannon Wedge, Executive Director of the Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Kansas, told the Parkers during the ceremony.

Wedge nominated the Parkers for the hall of fame.

Platelet donations are counted in units instead of gallons like blood, but Jim, 88, and Linda, 77, have given hundreds of them. And countless gallons have been donated over the years because of the attention their tireless efforts have brought to this lifesaving cause.

It’s never too late to start giving blood. Jim had never considered it before a group of seniors at the high school where he was principal in 1976 issued a challenge: If they could get over half the students to donate at the bloodmobile on campus that day, he’d have to donate with them.

You can get started as a blood donor, too. Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.