Keesler member has given six gallons of blood

Published May 30, 2012
By Steve Pivnick
81st Medical Group Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- A self-declared "avid blood donor" has given six gallons of the life-saving fluid to the Keesler Blood Donor Center since he began in 1994.

Jake Jacobsen, a member of the 81st Communications Squadron, visited the center May 18 and rolled up his sleeve one more time to provide a unit of blood, making a total of six gallons, 48 pints, since he started donating here.

As he explained, "I have been an avid blood donor at Keesler since 1994, when we were on green portable cots at the Keesler Fire Department. I walk through these doors every 56 days, get a painless stick and donate a pint of my blood. It is the best feeling in the world to watch that bag filling up, knowing I am able to save the lives of three people with my blood donation. There is never enough blood. Everyone should donate at least once in their lives; it does make a difference. A single hour, a single needle, a single pint of blood -- three lives."
He noted he was wearing a special T-shirt for the occasion. "I wore this shirt for the first time today. I've had it for about 10 years and wanted to honor the blood donor center and the lives they save."

Jacobsen said he actually began donating blood in the late 70s or early 80s.

"Now my goal is 10 gallons. I still have a while to go at Keesler, so why stop now?"

According to Lisa Lynn, BDC blood recruiter, the closest donor to Jacobsen is Susan Gardner with the 334th Training Squadron. She has given five gallons to date.

The Keesler Blood Donor Center conducts sponsored blood drives, but encourages anyone wishing to donate to schedule online at www.militaryblood.dod.mil. The center also accommodates "walk-ins" 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.