The American Red Cross is proud to recognize Donna Riggs Curtis of Stillwater for her decades-long commitment to giving blood.

Local staff and volunteers gave Donna a pin in honor of giving 27 gallons of blood to date. The presentation took place during the July 30 service at First Christian Church in Stillwater, just before Curtis’ appointment at a blood drive the church hosts regularly.

“If you lined up all those [containers] for 27 gallons, that’s a lot of liquid there and a lot of lives that I get to be part of their life,” Donna said.

Donna’s parents were blood donors, and with their permission, she donated her first half pint in Tulsa when she was 17 years old. Within a few years, her family would have a medical emergency: Donna’s mother was hemorrhaging during a miscarriage. Curtis and her father went to the hospital and donated blood for her immediately.

“That was my starting of an obligation to life and giving because the doctor said she would not be alive without blood,” Donna said.

“And it was a commitment – a commitment that I made to God and my family and to myself because I have to give some of my life to save a life.”

Donna typically donates every 56 days, even as she continues working. To her, blood is a special gift to give. Donna received her 25-gallon pin a few years ago and took it to a local jeweler to be made into a ring. When she donates, she likes to get the largest T-shirt available so she can wear it while mowing.

Donna encourages everyone who is able to donate blood.

“Donna is an incredible woman with a story that speaks to all of us. We’re grateful that she’s chosen to give blood as long as she’s able to donate and touch hundreds of lives in the process,” said Debbie Jacobs, Account Manager for American Red Cross Blood Services, Oklahoma District.