Larry Finkelstein has been a longtime Unyts donor blood donor and recently celebrated his 24th platelet donation in the past 12 months. When asked what inspired him to start donating, he said it was his father.
“My father was my role model for donation,” Larry explained. “From his service in World War II, until his death, he had donated 45 gallons of whole blood.”
Larry told us that he tries to donate as often as possible.
I donate platelets every 2 weeks, if possible,” he said. “Each time I donate the staff always thanks me for my platelet donation and my response is always the same, ‘I would rather give them than have to get them’.”
Would you rather give blood than have to receive it? Would you like to become a regular donor like Larry but are afraid to make that first appointment?
“Someone who is debating whether or not to donate platelets has to ask him/herself the question:
Will I take 2 hours out of my life to save a stranger's life, once every 2 or 3 weeks?
Someone who is debating whether or not to donate whole blood has to ask: him/herself the question:
Will I take 10 minutes out of my life every 8 weeks to save 3 or 4 lives?
The answer to either question is: If not, why not?”
We couldn’t agree more, Larry!