By Alexis Gonzalez/American Red Cross

For more than a decade, Juan Gonzalez has turned a doctor's recommendation into a lifelong commitment to helping save lives through blood donation.

Gonzalez first began donating blood after a doctor told him his red blood cell count was high. What started as a way to manage his health soon became a meaningful opportunity to help people during medical emergencies.

“Ever since then, I started donating blood,” Gonzalez said. “I get emails from y’all about where my donations have gone. It’s just a good feeling.”

As an O-positive donor, Gonzalez learned that his blood type is used in most transfusions. After years of donating whole blood, he decided to try a Power Red donation, an experience he still remembers.

“That was interesting the first time I did it,” Gonzalez said. “I’d never done it before until probably a year ago. I don’t know why, but I had a whole bunch of energy. I was bouncing around everywhere.”

The unexpected boost left a lasting impression.

Today, Gonzalez regularly donates Power Reds and considers blood donation part of his routine.

“It’s like an oil change for my body,” Gonzalez said. “My body feels good, and my heart feels full.”

For Gonzalez, the greatest reward is knowing where his donations go.

“Every time I donate, I get excited that my blood is going to be used for someone else,” he said.

His advice for anyone considering donating blood is simple: “Your one donation can mean someone’s life. It could change somebody else’s life that’s really in need.”

Though he may never meet the people his blood helps, Gonzalez knows each donation could make a lifesaving difference for a patient and their family. For him, that is his "why" to keep coming back.