For many blood donation is an occasional act of kindness. For others, it is a deeply personal service. For one father, Anthony Talarigo, a dedicated professional at Vanguard, it serves as an ongoing tribute to his son, a testament to resilience and the power of giving back. 

Anthony's son inspired him to begin his mission to donate blood. When talking about his children, he  says “they are my whole world.” After witnessing his son’s bravery first-hand, Anthony was very moved to start this journey of blood donation.

A son's inspiring strength

The journey began with his son Max. From just 3 months old, Max experienced health challenges. Max had surgery for cancer at around this time, and he was monitored till around age 5, when he was diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite these hardships, Max has “never looked down on himself and hasn't let his health cause him stress or sadness," according to his father.

“Just the other day he said to me, 'you know Dad, when I have a seizure, it doesn't affect me at all.’ And I said to him, ‘Buddy, I wish I could say the same,’” he shared.

After seeing his son’s spirit stay bright through difficulty, Anthony was motivated to start giving blood, saying “If he can do all that he's done, I can avert my eyes, grab a stronghold of the donor bed, and give.”

Giving back to those who helped

Since starting his donations, Anthony has given blood seven times and counting. His first donation was incredibly meaningful. "The first time I donated, I found out that it went to CHOP. It brought such joy knowing that I'm giving back to them for the help they've given Max. We have known that hospital intimately for almost 20 years,” he said.

Anthony doesn’t plan to stop. He continues to donate regularly, inspired by Max’s strength and the leadership of Mike Wiley, a Vanguard colleague who works tirelessly to engage more donors. 

Overcoming the challenges of donating

Despite Anthony's dedication to donating, the process isn’t always easy. “I do not like seeing my blood on the outside of my body. It's not a fear that will cause me to faint, just very uncomfortable,” he shared.

He makes it a point to encourage others to donate as well, whether it’s wearing his “just donated” sticker or explaining his reasons for giving. For those who are hesitant about giving blood, he offers the following advice: “keep donating as often as you can. I hate getting stuck by a needle. It's a small price to pay to save someone's life.”

The lasting impact of giving

Anthony knows firsthand how a crucial blood donation is. His son Max received a transfusion during surgery. 

If you're considering donating blood, he shares, “It doesn't take long. Your body will replace what you donate. Donating saves lives, and if this wimp can do it so can you.”

His hope for the future? A world where synthetic blood advancements reduce blood shortages and reliance on donors. But until then, Anthony encourages everyone to give as much as they can.

“There is always a need.”

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- Written by Vaishnavi Kalakota