Marquette resident reaches milestone
for blood donations
Mark Johnson, 42, donates for the 400th time at the U.P. Regional Blood
Center
How many people can say they’ve donated blood? How about 400 units
(50 gallons) of blood?
Marquette resident Mark Johnson can. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Johnson became
the first donor to reach this incredible milestone.
Since August 1982, Johnson, 42, has been donating regularly to the Upper
Peninsula Regional Blood Center at Marquette General Hospital.
Jackie
Piper, blood donor recruiter for the U.P. Regional Blood Center at Marquette
General Hospital, prepares to feed Mark Johnson a piece of celebratory
cake in honor of his record-setting 400th blood donation. Johnson has
been donating blood since August 1982. His next goal is 500 donations,
which he will reach in approximately four years if he continues to donate
regularly like he has in past years. (MGH photo)
To celebrate the milestone, the staff provided Johnson with a cake, presented
him with a Marquette General Health System jacket, and gave him a $50
gift certificate to a local department store.
Blood Donor Recruiter Jackie Piper said Johnson is the front-runner of
all donors.
“Mark has been donating for so many years,” Piper said. “Mark’s
dedication is awesome. He walks in every two weeks to donate.”
For 23 years, Johnson has faithfully donated blood/platelets to the Blood
Center. He reached his 300th donation on Jan. 9, 2002.
“I know I’m helping others, but at the same time, I’m
having a good time,” Johnson said. “The people here make the
experience fun.”
Donating has become second nature to Johnson. He gets great satisfaction
in knowing he’s helping people in need, and plans on donating for
many years to come.
“Twenty-three years ago, I heard about donating and thought it was
a good idea,” Johnson said. “I’m going to keep coming
until they tell me to stop.”
Piper added: “Mark is such a kind, generous and good-hearted person.
He always puts other people’s needs first.”
Because volunteer blood donors are the only source for blood used in patient
care in the U.S., it’s important for people to donate. The U.P.
Regional Blood Center is always looking for potential donors.
Each year, the Blood Center’s goal is to collect 12,000 units of
blood.
“Without the generosity of people like Mark,” Piper said,
“it would not be possible.”
The Blood Center staff knows they will be seeing Johnson soon. He already
has his sights set on his 500th donation.
“It should take Mark about four more years to reach 500,”
Piper said.
Anyone who’s at least 17 years old, in good health and weighs more
than 110 pounds can donate.
Regular donations usually take a half hour, while platelet donations can
take up to 90 minutes. A technician checks the donor’s blood pressure,
pulse, temperature and hemoglobin level to ensure safety to the donor
and blood recipient. After the brief medical screening, the donor lays
back and relaxes while a machine does the work.
The Upper Peninsula Regional Blood Center is located on the corner of
College Avenue and Hebard Court. Donor parking is located next to the
building. It is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and
from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
For more information on donating blood or to schedule an appointment,
call the U.P. Regional Blood
Center at 225-4610 or 1-800-491-4483
