A Lifesaving Legacy... Pass It On

Don and Dolores Gordon of Oakdale

Making A Difference

Don Gordon, of Oakdale, along with his wife Dolores, are very special people. Every two weeks, they commute an hour each way to the American Red Cross Blood Center in Farmington to donate blood through a process called apheresis. Why? "When you have good blood, you really should share it with those who need it," states Don, who began donating whole blood in 1953.

"Nine years ago, a co-worker’s son was diagnosed with leukemia. He needed a bone marrow transplant and no one in the family was a match. So my wife Dolores, and I wanted to help. We went to the American Red Cross to have our blood typed. Unfortunately, we didn’t match the boy but we are helping others." Recently, Don celebrated his 200th platelet donation. Together the Gordons have helped more than 263 people with their donations!

Don and Dolores Gordon are donating blood through a procedure called apheresis. During this procedure blood is drawn from one arm and passed through a blood-separating machine where components such as plasma, platelets and white cells are collected. The remaining red blood cells are then returned to the donor through the other arm.

Every day patients in Connecticut are diagnosed with various types of cancer and leukemia. Their treatments may include transfusions of blood and blood products such as platelets. Platelets, which are a fragile component of blood having a very short life span of just five days are critical in the recovery of those people undergoing cancer and leukemia treatments. There are no substitutes for these products.

Through their generosity, apheresis donors like Don and Dolores Gordon give a second chance to people who might not otherwise survive. Anyone between the ages of 17 and 65, weighing at least 110 pounds and in good health may be eligible to donate. For more information about becoming an apheresis donor, please call (860) 678-2749.

Celebrating 200!

Dr. Stanley Badon and Cherie Robinson of the American Red Cross Blood Services (standing from left to right) congratulate Don Gordon on his 200^th apheresis donation!   Don and his wife, Dolores, are committed to helping others through their blood donations.