**NEWSWORTHY:** Scott Belgard met WBZ News Anchor Lisa Hughes at the annual 9/11 blood drive at Fenway Park. His blood donations total more than 27 gallons. [Courtesy photo]

Submitted by Mike Milner, Blood Donation Coordinator

Knights of Columbus Council #4865

“Wow, this is huge!” – that was my reaction to one of our Hull neighbors who was checking into our recent blood drive the end of May.

In my 50+ years of working with blood donation programs, I have never seen someone who had recorded 222 units of blood given on my check-in roster! I knew that I had to let everyone know about this milestone, so I asked Scott to tell me a bit about his journey to 27+ gallons of donated blood. I also had to tell my contacts at the regional office of the American Red Cross to get their reaction.

As Scott shared with me that day in May, his 50+ year blood donation journey started when he was 18 years old when he joined his father at his Jewish War Veterans Post 302. His Dad had asked him to come along to meet his fellow veterans and so they traveled to a donation center on Huntington Avenue off the Jamaicaway.

His Dad said to him, “Hey son, you’re 18 now and eligible to donate blood. Go ahead and give it a try.” So he climbed aboard one of those very comfortable, green contoured benches and made his first blood donation. He didn’t know that this first donation who become a lifetime commitment to give the “gift of life.”

Scott also said that in 1978, his commitment became very personal as his Dad was undergoing bypass surgery. He offered up a unit of blood to the blood bank at Beth Israel Hospital in case his Dad needed it! His Dad didn’t get his blood, but Scott knew that someone in the hospital that day was helped.

He donated on a regular basis over the years, setting a goal to donate the maximum amount of whole blood he was allowed. He got to know the staff of the Weymouth Red Cross blood donation center well and even got to meet some of the local Boston radio personalities who were promoting local drives. The WBZ Blood Brotherhood events gave him the chance to also meet WBZ news anchor Lisa Hughes at the annual 9/11 drive at Fenway Park.

In my role as a local blood drive coordinator, I have made some connections at the American Red Cross headquarters here in Boston. Knowing that Scott had just donated his 223rd unit to help our blood drive meet our local goal of 40 units, I just had to tell someone.

“Scott’s commitment to blood donation is truly inspiring,” said Kerrie Ann Jack, regional donor services executive. “Reaching more than 27 gallons is an incredible milestone, but what makes his story especially meaningful is that he began donating at 18, encouraged by his father to give back to others. His lifelong dedication is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have, and we’re grateful for Scott and all the donors who help ensure blood is available for patients in need every day.”

As a reminder, a single whole blood donation can be separated into components that benefit patients in various ways. Whole blood, like what is collected at our town blood drives, is often used to help save those involved in traumatic accidents. Packed red cells help replace lost blood during surgery, platelets aid those with blood clotting disorders, and other blood components provide specific clotting factors for inherited conditions such as Von Willebrand’s Disease and hemophilia. White blood cells can also be processed and given to individuals struggling with difficult infections. In essence, one blood donation can save multiple lives.

The Hull Knights of Columbus Council #4865, under the leadership of John Barbuto, holds blood drives every two months at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish/St Ann Church on Samoset Avenue. Thanks go out for continued support from parish leaders including Father Scott Evuard, our dedicated K of C members, and to local Hull volunteers like Craig “Wolfie” Wolfe and Mary Ann Hunter. Also, Tara Grasso at Hull High School has helped recruit and involve an average of 6-10 student volunteers each drive during the last two years. These students greet donors, serve refreshments afterward, and assist the Knights in cleaning up. It’s truly a team effort in Hull. Appreciation goes out to everyone who donates and those who help run these events.

If you’re interested in donating blood or have questions about eligibility, visit the American Red Cross website at www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. If you’re interested in learning how you can help in other ways, please give me a call at 646-812-1139.

Thanks, Scott, for your lifetime of giving and for allowing us to share this milestone with our neighbors. You make us all proud, and we can believe that your Dad is super proud of you, sir!

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