Thomas Frisby lives in Summerville, South Carolina, and is approaching his 90th birthday this year. For nine decades, Thomas has crafted a legacy of giving and helping others. Thomas frequently donates blood with the American Red Cross, and so far this year, he's donated platelets twelve times, along with several whole blood donations. Over the past few years, Thomas has donated blood and platelets with the Red Cross more than 60 times.  

    Thomas recalls his first donation with the Red Cross in his 50s. A 9-year-old girl with Leukemia in his community needed blood, and Thomas rolled up a sleeve while serving in the military. That one simple act began a ripple effect of giving.   

"I saw the expression on her mother's face and her father's face. I get choked up now, even thinking about it. When that blood came to her that day and gave her hope for the future, there were dozens of people we were giving blood for, not just the patient," said Thomas.  

    Thomas says that ripple effect continues to radiate to this day. When he gives blood, the Red Cross alerts him to where his donation goes to help patients in need, from children's hospitals to his neighbors in South Carolina and even as far as Puerto Rico. Thomas says seeing where his donation goes is always moving.  

"I've seen that again and again; we aren't just giving blood to a patient in a hospital bed. We're giving to her loved ones, her friends, and the nurses and doctors who are excited about helping her heal. We're giving to a community of people involved in that patient's life," said Thomas.  

    Thomas doesn't just donate blood with the Red Cross. In 1957, he took a Red Cross Lifeguarding course, where he learned how to help someone who is drowning. One day, he saw a person's car overturned in a stream. Thomas immediately aided the woman and was able to pull her out and give her CPR for 45 minutes until medics arrived. Thomas knows he saved a life that day.   

"I realized 40-50 people were standing around watching – and I was the only person who could do that," said Thomas.  

    Thomas says giving blood and learning lifesaving skills have enabled him to serve others and have been one of the most fulfilling parts of his life. He encourages others to give blood, volunteer, or take lifesaving classes with the Red Cross.  

"There are real, flesh-and-blood people who are out there being helped, and you can be a part of that," said Thomas.   

To sign up to give blood, click here.

To become a Red Cross volunteer, click here.

Take a class here.