Story told by: Fernanda Nilson, Red Cross Volunteer

In 1973, 17-year-old Steven Price of Monetta, South Carolina, was critically injured in a car accident and lost seven pints of blood before reaching the hospital. Blood transfusions from anonymous donors ultimately saved his life.

"I should've died in that accident, but thank God for the people that were at the hospital," said Steven.

Several years after his incident, Steven made the decision to begin donating blood on a regular basis. “I don’t know why I was spared,” he said. He realized that signing up for blood drives would be his way to help others and pay it forward. “I felt the need to do the same in return for someone else.”

Years after the transfusions that saved his life, Steven received a certificate from the American Red Cross recognizing him for donating three gallons of blood.  

“Wouldn’t it be neat if I could, one day, give 25 gallons?” Steven thought.  Looking at it, he set himself an ambitious goal. It became a milestone he would eventually reach over the next four decades on his journey.

"Never did I even imagine that it would take 40-plus years to make it to my goal of 25 gallons," said Steven. "It put me on the path of not only wanting to give to help others, but also a self-goal of trying to meet that mark."

Today, Steven is among the small percentage of Americans who donate blood and hopes his story inspires others to do the same. Approximately 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood while only about 3% donates. Steven is part of the 3% and hopes to encourage more people to join him. 

Today, the self-described “70-year-old kid” remains active, healthy, and committed to giving back. He says donating blood keeps him feeling young.   

“You’re helping your fellow man. It’s a great feeling and a good cause,” he said. “I love helping people. Even if I’d never been in that accident, I hope I still would’ve chosen to help others, like the Good Samaritan.  Helping your fellow man that needs help. It is a great thing to do. "

Every blood donation has the potential to help patients face trauma, surgery, cancer treatment, organ transplants, sickle cell disease, and other serious emergency needs. For Steven, donating blood has been a way to repay a gift he once received from strangers: the gift of life.  

Each day, the Red Cross must collect about 12,500 blood donations and 3,000 platelet donations to help patients at hospitals nationwide. Blood donations remain essential to the health of communities, and can be safely donated every 56 days, up to six times a year. 

Reserve your spot to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. As a thank-you, all who come to give Oct. 19–Nov. 22, 2026, will get up to $20 in Gift Cards ─ that's a $10 Amazon Gift Card by email and 500 bonus points, which can be redeemed for a $10 e-gift card through Blood Donor Rewards! Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Maze for details.