Brooks began donating blood in high school, when a coach encouraged his team to donate at an upcoming drive. Since then, donating blood has been a part of his routine.
When it came time to retire, he knew exactly how he wanted to spend his time. He shares, “I thought it would be fun to congratulate and thank people for giving blood.”
From volunteering in the canteen to hosting and supporting blood drives to community outreach and education efforts, he wears many hats at We Are Blood. Additionally, Brooks supports the community through regular double red blood donations.
Double the Donation. Double the Impact.
As an O Negative donor, he comes in for a double red cell donation every 16 weeks. In speaking with us, he shared what is involved in double red cell donation and how it compares to traditional whole blood donation. “It doesn’t hurt or feel any different than any other type of donation,” he quips.
Barlow knows only a small part of the eligible population donates blood. He shares,
“Only 3% of eligible donors donate blood. So, I always tell the donors when they come in, ‘You’re in the top 3% in kindness.'”
But he knows from experience that blood donation is only part of the many ways people give back to We Are Blood with so many volunteering opportunities available, and he encourages others to consider getting involved.