Yucaipa Resident Donates Blood on 40 Year Anniversary of First Donation

Robert Will is closing in on 90 gallons in lifesaving blood donations, but the Yucaipa resident clearly remembers the first time he gave, and why. “I was a fire engine captain for the U.S. Forest Service and learned of a little girl who suffered burns in a fire,” he recalled. “The word was put out that she needed blood transfusions, and, being so familiar with fire and knowing the damage it could do, I decided to help out.” That was Oct. 15, 1975. On Thursday Oct. 15, he marked the 40th anniversary of that first blood donation by making a platelet donation at LifeStream’s San Bernardino Donor Center, 384 W. Orange Show Road. The donation was from approximately 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. Will, 66, recently found the donation card from the first time he gave blood that verified the date. Looking back 40 years ago, why did he continue on? “With my work schedule, it was difficult to be an active member of a service club, but blood donation was a sort of public service I could work around my schedule,” he said. “I felt lucky to be able to do it, and still feel that way.” LifeStream is a nonprofit, local, comprehensive blood center that provides blood products and services to more than 80 Southern California hospitals. For more information or to set an appointment, call 800-879-4484 or visit LStream.org.