Point Loma resident Steven Schweitzer passed a milestone for blood donation last week. Schweitzer has been donating blood platelets for the past nine years and just completed his 100th donation.
“To reach 100 is very significant. In our region only a handful have achieved what Steven achieved on Tuesday,” said Gayle Lynn Falkenthal, disaster public affairs officer for the American Red Cross.
Schweitzer’s achievement is particularly impressive due to the fact that he donates blood platelets, a procedure that takes almost two hours, as opposed to the ten minutes required for whole blood donations.
According to Falkenthal, only 1 percent of the population donates platelets and since platelets are particularly important for treating people with aplastic anemia, leukemia and cancer, every donation is very important.
“I do feel called to do it. I do enjoy good health, knock on wood, and it’s one of those things where I feel like it’s my civic duty and I thank God every day for the good health I enjoy,” said Schweitzer.
Schweitzer is no stranger to service as 30 years of his life were committed to service in the United States Marine Corps, where he held the title of Master Gunnery Sergeant. Since retiring from the military in 2005 Schweitzer has been focusing his time and energy on community service.
“The truth is, he’s probably saved more lives lying in a chair at Red Cross Blood Services than in the Marine Corps,” said Falkenthal.
Schweitzer began donating whole blood at the Balboa Naval Hospital while he was still in the military. He graduated to platelet donation in 1997 and has been working on his goal ever since.
In addition to his blood donations, Schwietzer is actively involved as a disaster response volunteer with the American Red Cross. He became most active in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, spending a full month in Baton Rouge, La. as a public information officer for the Red Cross.
After nine years, Schweitzer has reached his goal of 100 donations, but he is not stopping there. He plans to continue donating and hopes to reach 150 within the next four years.
“I would encourage everyone to at least consider giving [blood] a try and a lot of people will find that they really enjoy doing it,” said Schweitzer.
Members of the Red Cross threw a small party for Schweitzer after the successful 100th donation and Falkenthal hopes that Schweitzer’s achievement will set an example for other donors or potential donors.
“If people would only do a fraction of what Steven does on a routine basis we could eliminate platelet shortages in Southern California,” said Falkenthal.