Darryll Fortune first began donating blood in the ‘90s, when the company he worked for turned blood donation into a friendly competition among departments. “The first time I donated, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s it?’ It’s just a quick poke,” he says. “I’ve been a regular donor ever since.” Now, Darryll and his wife donate at blood drives at their church and workplaces, always keeping in mind the constant need for blood.

“I’ve been in enough hospitals to know that there’s always a need for blood,” Darryll says. “It’s inevitable that someone close to you, friend or family, will need a blood transfusion. Why not donate?”

Darryll is also passionate about encouraging members of the African American community to donate blood for patients suffering from sickle cell disease and other illnesses. “The African American community particularly needs blood donors,” he says. “Our community aren’t regular donors, and we should be.”

“I donate because I know there is a need!” he adds. “Doesn’t matter who you are or why you need it, but if I can’t take 30 minutes out of my day to do this, then I can’t earnestly talk about giving back, humanity and doing good.”

People need people, make a difference in someone’s life by donating blood.

We must rely on each other for the gift of blood, and patients in your community rely on the generosity of Versiti’s blood donors to help. Please consider scheduling an appointment to donate. If this is your first time, donating blood is quick, easy and relatively painless. And, it is a great way to give back and help patients in your community.