By Kelly Flynn

When Vinton Smith began wondering whether anyone had ever donated blood in all 50 states, he did what most of us would do: he Googled it. That search led him to Al Whitney, a platelet donor from Ohio who had completed the feat not once, but twice, and was working on his third round. Inspired by Whitney’s story and his simple observation, “Most people don’t give blood because no one ever asked,” Vinton decided to take action.

What started as a curiosity became a calling.

Vinton has already completed his mission to donate blood in all 50 states. Now, he’s focused on an even more ambitious goal: donating platelets in all 50 states.

“I realized I could give more often,” Vinton said. “So I gave it a shot. That first platelet donation was tough, two arms, two hours, and by the end, I was sore and unsure if I’d do it again. But I sat in my car afterward, looked up at the donor center, and thought, ‘I guess I could try it again.’ And I did. I never looked back.”

Since then, Vinton has donated whole blood, platelets, and plasma across the country, tracking each donation on a Google map with red and yellow pins. His journey has taken him through icy roads in Massachusetts, across Idaho for dual donations, and even to Hawaii, where a customer sent him a selfie after her first blood donation, inspired by his story.

“That meant more to me than reaching my 50th state,” he said. “It’s about that one person who decided to give.”

Vinton’s story is not just about travel, it’s about impact. He shares how blood donation saved the life of a friend’s newborn son, who now has children of his own. Another friend survived a medical emergency thanks to donors. These stories remind Vinton that blood donation transcends generations.

“It’s not just saving someone’s life today,” he said. “It has a multi-generational impact.”

His commitment is rooted in family. Growing up, Vinton watched his parents give blood and serve their community. His mother volunteered for the Children’s Aid Society and the fire station, while his father served on the school board. Their example instilled in him a lifelong dedication to service.

That legacy continues with his own children. On a Father’s Day weekend in Michigan, Vinton planned to donate platelets. His kids, then 24 and 20, decided to give blood alongside him.

“I told them, ‘You don’t need to give me any other Father’s Day present. This is the best one ever.’”

Vinton emphasizes that every role in the donation process matters, from the phlebotomists to the volunteers at the front desk.

“They’re all saving lives,” he said. “It’s not just me.”

He also encourages others to give locally.

“Giving a few moments of your life can restore a lifetime of moments for someone else,” he said. “That’s what keeps me going.”

Vinton completed his 26th donation on his platelet journey in Wilmington, North Carolina.

His commitment to platelet donation is especially impactful. Platelets are a key clotting component of blood, often needed by cancer patients, surgical patients and bone marrow transplant recipients. Because platelets must be transfused within just five days of donation, there’s a constant and often critical need for donors like Vinton to keep up with hospital demand.

“I know these platelets are going to someone who really needs them,” Vinton says. “That’s why I keep showing up.”

His donations help patients fight cancer and recover from life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Every 30 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs platelets.

Platelets can be given every seven days — up to 24 times a year. It’s a commitment that few make, but one that’s urgently needed.

As for what’s next? Vinton is considering expanding his mission globally, perhaps one donation on every continent. Antarctica may be a stretch, but the idea reflects his boundless commitment to helping others.

Whether it’s through suspenseful movies during donations or selfies outside donor centers, Vinton’s journey is a testament to the power of one person’s decision to give and the ripple effect it creates.

Inspired by Vinton’s story? Eligible individuals can schedule a platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).