The American Red Cross' lifesaving mission wouldn’t be possible without volunteers and donors. Julie Shutterly, 87, of Rostraver, began donating blood when she was 22 years old. She has now donated more than 50 units of blood.
Her desire to give blood to those in need was amplified when her daughter, who was 10 years old at the time, was hit by a car while waiting for the school bus. Her daughter spent months in the hospital in a body cast and relied on blood donations for her treatment.
Shutterly also worked as an obstetric nurse and witnessed newborns and women giving birth who needed emergency blood transfusions. She makes blood donation a priority by marking it on her calendar and donating every 56 days, up to six times a year.
"I've done a lot of bad things in my life. Now, it's time to do some good," Miller said.
Frank Miller, of Fayette City, began donating in 1977 and since that time, he has donated 285 units of blood. He was inspired by his wife who needed a blood transfusion when she was giving birth.
Miller enjoys traveling to Red Cross blood drives in other cities to meet new people. He asks his wife of 56 years to allow him "one vice": donating blood."I don't smoke, drink, run around or party. Let me do something I like! You'd think after all this time, she wouldn't bug me," Miller joked.
"I've done a lot of bad things in my life. Now, it's time to do some good," Miller said.
One in seven patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion. Patients are counting on the kindness and generosity of blood donors. We urge you to give blood or platelets to help make a lifesaving difference for those in need.
