KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Six to eight times a year, you’ll see Jan Lindhardt at the Community Blood Center.
“I generally go the max that I can,” Lindhardt said.
Since moving to the Kansas City area, the Denmark native said he’s donated close to 10 gallons of blood.
“You don't know where it's going and that's not relevant,” Lindhardt said. “What's relevant is the fact that people like you and I are willing to step up and help humanity and that's what I enjoy doing.”
When hearing the tragedy of the Las Vegas attack, Lindhardt asked why.
“Why do you people do things like that,” he asked. “I don't know the answer, but it is sad, and it is sad for all the ones that got involved.”
Las Vegas blood centers were contacted immediately.
“They told us that they were, they were OK for right then, which is good news that their inventories are strong,” Community Blood Center Executive Director David Graham said.
While there is no immediate need now, Graham said he wants to make sure they’re prepared, encouraging people to donate.
“Try to donate four times a year, once a quarter,” Graham said. “That way we always have enough to meet the local demand and be able to supply the rest of the country if and when they need it, and unfortunately we've had too many times where people need that.”
Just one blood donation could help save up to three lives.
It’s one of the reasons Lindhardt keeps going back.
“I've been blessed with an incredible health,” Lindhardt said. “The only way to pay it forward is to do what I'm doing, educating people in wellness and donating.”
Both the Community Blood Center and the American Red Cross have locations and blood drives where you can donate.
