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Kentucky Blood Center relies on the generosity of donors to supply lifesaving blood to 70-plus hospitals in Kentucky. All blood collected at KBC stays in Kentucky to help people fight diseases like cancer, to aid in surgeries and organ transplants, for diseases and blood disorders, to serve as life support in traumas, and so much more. Approximately 400 donors are needed daily to maintain a healthy blood supply. To schedule your appointment and save local lives, visit one of KBC’s eight donor center locations or find a mobile drive near you. Donations take just 45 minutes and can save up to three lives.
Doug Parks, the former chair of the blood drive committee at Alltech, had asked his friend and co-worker Terry Dowding to donate blood time and time again, but Terry always found a way out.
“I came up with every excuse in the book for a couple of years,” Terry said. “I did not want to donate blood.”
When Doug was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the excuses suddenly seemed so hollow.
One of Doug’s final wishes to Terry before he succumbed to the cancer was for Terry to promise him he would cover for his blood donations after he passed away.
“He brought the blood drive to Alltech,” Terry said. “He wanted to make sure it continued long after him.”
That promise got Terry in the door to start donating and to fill Doug’s spot on the blood drive committee at Alltech. It was a letter Terry received 11 years ago detailing the importance blood donation has on cancer patients that made Terry a lifelong platelet donor.
The man that once avoided blood donation can now be found on a donor bed at the Beaumont Donor Center every other Wednesday. He made his 250th donation in early May to reach the 31-gallon mark.
“I’m a cross between dedicated and obsessive,” Terry said.
With nearly 25% of the blood supply going towards patients battling cancer, Terry’s commitment is appreciated. One platelet donation can provide as many as 12 to 18 whole blood donations.
Doug may be gone, but his legacy continues through Terry and for patients like Terry’s stepfather, who his battling leukemia in Nebraska.
Terry knows his donations at KBC stay in state to aid patients at local hospitals – which Terry loves – but he knows the Dougs of the world are inspiring donors across the world to do their part and ensure loved ones like his stepfather have a chance.
“My hope is that somebody is back in Nebraska donating blood for him just like I am donating for someone here,” Terry said.
