Larry Polacek first started donating blood while working at Allen-Bradley more than 50 years ago. “It all started there; I’ve been giving blood for 56 years,” he says. “Occasionally, there was something happening in the world that was important, and they needed blood. I was always glad to donate it to make somebody happy.”

He sees donating blood as an easy way to give back to the community and support patients in need. “It never seemed to be a chore,” he says. “I’m not rich and I’m not wealthy, but a pint of blood, I can afford.”

Eventually, Larry recruited his son, Dave, to donate blood, too. “I was always afraid of needles,” Dave says. “Dad would come home with these stories about donating blood, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

Now, the two make it a point to donate blood together. “It becomes a father-son day together,” Dave says. “We always have a good time when we do it. We challenge each other to see who can fill up the bag faster. He’s beaten me every time!”

Larry encourages others to donate blood and make a difference in the lives of others. “A pint of blood and a smile on somebody’s face means a lot,” he says.

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.