Celebrating 65 Years of Giving the Gift of Life

For 65 years, Charles Foran has rolled up his sleeve whenever he was healthy and eligible to donate blood. On Wednesday, community members gathered in Arnold, Nebraska, with balloons, cupcakes, thank-you cards and lots of laughs to celebrate Foran’s 150th blood donation.

A 1960 graduate of Arnold High School, Foran began donating as a teenager after his uncle needed heart surgery and doctors shared the importance of donating blood.

“It’s a little thing you can do,” Foran said. “It doesn’t cost a thing to help others.”

His latest donation comes at a critical time. A steep drop in donations across the country this summer has led to an Emergency Blood Shortage, making donors like Foran essential to ensuring lifesaving blood products are available when patients need them most.

Foran, who paused his donations while serving in the military, considers himself fortunate to remain healthy enough to donate at 84 years old. As a semi-retired farmer, he appreciates the flexibility to attend the local blood drive, which comes to Arnold every other month.

“Charles is one of those people who makes your day a bit brighter when you can spend time with him,” said Red Cross staff member Amanda Wehnes. “He genuinely enjoys helping people, even if he will never meet the person who receives that unit of blood.”

Foran takes pride in earning the milestone pins that mark each gallon donated. After his next donation, he will receive his 19th-gallon pin.

The blood donation process has changed dramatically since Foran first started giving. In those days, volunteers recorded donor information on handwritten index cards. Today, computerized systems and encrypted software manage donor records. Screening methods have evolved as well. Hemoglobin testing once required a small blood sample taken from a donor’s earlobe and later a finger prick. Now, noninvasive technology can perform the same screening without additional needle sticks.

Despite advancements in technology, one thing has remained unchanged: the generosity of blood donors and Foran’s commitment to giving.

Since taking over coordination of blood drives in 2012, Wehnes can recall only a handful of times that Foran has missed a donation opportunity.

“Charles is so loyal that if he does have to miss a blood drive in Arnold, he’s asking about other drives in the area that fit into his eligibility window so he doesn’t miss a donation,” she said.

Foran hopes others will consider becoming blood donors.

“If I knew of someone who needed the blood, it would be a good reason to give,” he said. “Even if I don’t know them, they need it and I have some to spare.”

His 150th donation stands as a testament to a lifetime of giving back—one pint at a time.

To find a blood drive near you and make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.