By Michael Bowman, American Red Cross

Mark Mills has been donating blood since 1990. It’s something he regularly does about every six months. So, when Mark went to a Red Cross blood drive in January 2026, he expected just another routine donation. But when Mark was pretested for his Power Red donation, his visit was anything but routine.  “I failed the pre-test,” said Mark. And the blood drive technicians suggested Mark see a doctor.

Donating blood has been a significant part of Mark Mills’ life beginning with his military service in the 1990s. “I was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Lee, Virginia, Fort Benning and Fort Bragg,” Mark recalled. “We always donated blood because soldiers might need it sometime or another.” Upon retiring from the military, Mark continued donating blood, in part to help those still serving in the military but also to help anyone in need. It was his way of giving back and serving his community and country by saving lives and improving the quality of life for his neighbors and fellow countrymen.

“You know, I'm not the richest person in the world,” said Mark. “But I can donate.”

You might say helping others through blood donations runs in Mark’s family.  When he was a child, Mark’s mother, Barbara Finley, volunteered with the Red Cross, working at blood drives. His daughter Mallory has accompanied Mark over the past few years, donating blood and carrying on the family tradition of helping others. Now, with modern technology, Mark can track how his blood donation is having an impact on people’s lives across the nation.  “One of the things I like now is using the (Red Cross) app,” said Mark. “I can go and look where my blood has gone to and how it's helped. My blood went to Ohio this last time, and it helped 8 people.”

Just like he had done many times before, Mark was ready to make another Power Red donation during his January 2026 visit. A Power Red donation allows donors to safely give two units of red blood cells at one donation. Before giving blood, donors must go through a pre-test to ensure they are healthy enough to give. While Mark had passed the test many times before with no issues, the blood drive technicians found something concerning in his results.  “They said I might need to get checked out,” said Mark. “So that's what I did.”

Doctors conducted several tests on Mark, resulting in changes in blood pressure medications and greater awareness about his heart health. He now has a greater appreciation of how important the Red Cross is in helping others.  “It's possible the Red Cross saved my life.”

Today, Mark is doing well and is eager to resume donating blood to help others. “I did go back to the doctor. I did get things corrected,” said Mark. “And I made the next step to go back to the Red Cross. It's a good cause. It makes me feel better than it probably does anybody else.”