Mountain View Man Made His 600th Blood Donation at Stanford Blood Center

A 75-year-old Mountain View man made his 600th blood donation at the Stanford Blood Center Monday afternoon.

David "Mitch" Mitchell has donated blood since age 17, the year he joined the Air Force. He quickly made it a habit.

"It only takes a couple of hours, and once you build it into your life, it just happens," he said.

Mitchell recalled attending a survivors’ dinner about 10 years ago where one blood recipient got up and thanked the blood donors in attendance by saying, "I’m here, you’re here and that’s good."

That’s his bottom line, Mitchell said.

"Someone with a loved one who needs blood would offer every vein in their body," he said. "Well, there are a lot of people out there who need blood and don’t have anyone to help, so I do what I can."

Mitchell donates through a specialized two-hour process that allows the center to collect specific blood components, such as platelets. This donation type allows him to donate as many as 24 times a year. Whole-blood donors are limited to a maximum of about six donations per year.

Cancer and leukemia patients often depend upon platelet transfusions, according to the Stanford Blood Center. For example, a leukemia patient might have a dangerously low platelet count that could be caused by the disease itself or by its treatment, which can damage bone marrow and result in hemorrhage. Platelet transfusions can help keep these patients alive while allowing enough time for their therapy to work.

The Stanford Blood Center is located at 780 Welch Road, Suite 100, in Palo Alto. More information about the blood center and how to donate can be found at www.bloodcenter.stanford.edu.

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