In 1968, Royal Oak resident Martin McElroy was in the U.S. Army and ready to deploy to the Vietnam War.

“They came around and said, ‘Guys, if you donate blood you won't go today. You’ll go tomorrow,’” he said. “So, I hopped on the bus. We drove to the donor center and I gave blood for the very first time.”

That 24-hour delay resulted in McElroy, who is educated as an architect, deploying with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers instead of the combat unit he was trained for.

“My first pint of blood literally saved my life,” he said.

Motivated by the thought of his father’s need for donated blood as a combat surgeon in the South Pacific during World War II, McElroy has continued to not only give blood, but platelet and Power Red donations. To date, McElroy has given 219 units of blood products.

McElroy’s lifelong commitment to blood donation began with a simple ask, and he has dedicated himself to making the same ask of others.

When he lived in Philadelphia, he helped grow his parish from hosting one American Red Cross drive a year to six, increasing collections to 140 units from about 20 units. The experience led McElroy to become a Red Cross volunteer and help recruit community organizations, churches and other groups to host and support blood drives. His message was simple: “If our little church can do it, you can do it.”

Now back in Michigan, McElroy continues to ask in a different role as a Red Cross blood donor ambassador, welcoming donors and helping ensure they have a positive experience that encourages them to come back and donate again.

Whether it's a first-time donor or someone returning for their next appointment, every blood donation starts with a decision to help someone in need. McElroy hopes more people will make that choice. By making a blood, platelet or Power Red donation, donors can help ensure lifesaving blood products are available for patients in need.

“What I learned is, it depends on who asks. People give blood because somebody asks them to,” he said. “My job is to be the one who asks.”

By Sydney Henry, regional communications manager.