Marc Satalof donated his first pint of blood with the American Red Cross in Philadelphia more than 50 years ago to ensure that his mother, who was going in for a surgery, would have blood if she needed it. Fast forward to Nov. 15, 2023 when, at age 76, he gave his 280th donation, marking an incredible 35 gallons of blood donated over his adult life.

Through the decades, Marc worked 33 years with the Philadelphia School District, raised two children and began an active retirement with his wife Elyse.

He also diligently donated blood as often as possible – four to six times per year.He also coordinated several blood drives for both the school district and his Upper Gwynedd community, and he has been tapped to speak at several Red Cross donor recognition functions though the years.

“If you’ve been blessed with good health and a good heart, you know that there are a lot of people in the world who are a lot less fortunate than you are, and any way you can help those people, you are performing a great service to them,” he said. “When I realized that regular donations were something I’d be able to do, I made a conscientious effort to set a goal.”

He initially set a goal of 200 pints, or 25 gallons. When he hit that mark, he kept going.

“You still feel good, you’re in good health, there’s no reason to stop,” he said.

In recent years, Marc’s lower hemoglobin levels kept him from donating as consistently as he did when he was younger. In consultation with his doctor, they agreed that his 35th gallon donation would be his last.

With his wife by his side, Marc gave his 280th pint at a Red Cross blood drive at Penn Medicine’s Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, steps away from the Hospital of the University Pennsylvania, where he made his very first blood donation. It was a bittersweet experience.

“I don’t need all this,” he said, gesturing around at the cameras and reporters who were covering his final blood donation. “But if I can even inspire one person, I’ll do it.”

He may be retiring from donating blood, but he’ll never stop being an advocate.  

“If, God forbid, someone needs blood, if they’re transported to a hospital because of a car accident or a surgical procedure, and they need blood, that blood needs to be there for them or they’ll die, and that’s determined by people continuing to donate blood,” he said. 

For more information on donating blood and how you can help save a life, visit RedCrossBlood.org. 

PHOTO: Marc Satalof, with his wife Elyse, shows off his 30-gallon certificate and gallon pins he has collected. He’s looking forward to adding a pin for his 35th gallon. 

Photo and story by Alana Mauger