By: Sharonne Hayes

Meet Max Whitley

If you’ve ever visited the Charlotte Donation Center on Park Road, chances are you might’ve seen Max Whitley at some point. When Max walks in, he’s greeted by name — the staff knows him well and he knows them. He was his usual self last month—smiling, chatting with staff, and rolling up his sleeve for yet another blood donation.

But this time was special.

On his 240th visit, Max reached a milestone few ever touch: 30 gallons donated over a lifetime.

“I’m just proud and grateful that I can be here for the 30 gallons,” Max said. “And I certainly keep count—every time.”

A Lifelong Habit of Helping

Max’s journey began decades ago, nudged by a close neighbor and friend - another regular blood donor - who encouraged him to join along and donate for a cause. “I was petrified the first time,” he admits. “But knowing exactly what the usage was going to be for the blood gave me a little more initiative to get through it and keep going.”

And that he did…across a span of about nine decades.

Of course, Max says life brought natural pauses to the process—getting married, raising children, attending night school—but after retiring from the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, where he served as HR Director for the cast iron plant, Max made it his mission to donate as a regular part of his routine.

For the past 15–20 years, he’s been a familiar face at the Charlotte Donation Center located on 2425 Park Road, often greeted by the eclectic and dedicated group of local blood collection experts.

“The team here is the best and I know them,” said Max. “As long as these folks will have me and as long as I can come, I will be here.”

The motivation behind Max’s outstanding record became more deeply personal recently. A few years ago, Max and his wife Judy watched their granddaughter recover from a serious car accident—an experience that shook them as a family and underscored the life-saving power of blood donations.

“She needed five pints of blood,” Judy recalled. “Since then, we just don’t miss an opportunity. Every eight weeks, we’re here to give. We just want to do what’s right.”

In fact, Max donated his milestone gallon right next to his wife, as is commonplace with the couple over the years. Judy, who’s donated over six gallons herself, jokes that her only way to compete with Max at this point is by beating him in donation speed.

“Typically, I do,” she laughed. “I did today—he was over there chattering and I beat him by a few minutes!”

Their friendly competition is part of their commitment to love and service, and what keeps them coming back.

“We support each other,” Max said. “It’s great to do this together.”

Judy adds, “It just makes you feel good to give blood and know it’s going to help someone,” she said. “I’ll give as long as I can—and I’ll keep encouraging others to do the same.”

As Max prepares to celebrate his 88th birthday next month, he says the greatest gift isn’t necessarily the ones he’ll receive — rather, it’s the one he’s been blessed to give to others for so many years.

“If this helps anyone else along the way, then I’m grateful,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
 

Why It Matters

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The American Red Cross plays a critical role in meeting that need—not only by collecting donations, but by ensuring they’re safely processed, tested, and delivered to hospitals across the country. Through its biomedical services, the Red Cross supports patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, trauma care, and more. Each pint donated can help save multiple lives, making donors like Max and Judy essential partners in a nationwide mission of healing and hope.

A legacy of care

Max is a powerful example that every drop, every donation matters. Over time, those drops build into a legacy of lifesaving compassion—one that reaches far, touches lives, and strengthens communities in ways that are lasting and profound.

Join Max and an entire community of donors making a lifesaving impact. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS, visiting redcrossblood.org or downloading our Red Cross Blood Donor App.