A Meadville-area man who has donated blood regularly for a half-century hasn’t done it for rewards or thanks.
But the Red Cross is applauding Tom Chalmers, 77, of West Mead Township, for a commitment that topped the 27-gallon mark last week.
“Serving the Meadville community is a way of life for Tom Chalmers. His wife, Georgia, says if he isn’t doing something useful, he’s just not happy,” said Red Cross spokeswoman Katie Potter.
That commitment is especially appreciated now when some donation sites are closed and some donors are wary of going out, Potter said.
And “with no known end to the coronavirus pandemic, blood donation is essential to maintaining the health of the community and ensuring a stable supply in the weeks and months ahead,” she said.
Chalmers, a retired information technology specialist, helps coordinate regular blood drives at the West Mead 2 Volunteer Fire Department, which has hosted additional drives in recent months to help pick up the slack for sites that are closed.
Chalmers is the department’s financial secretary and most recently donated blood during a drive at the fire hall last Wednesday.
The father of two adult children and the grandfather of three has been donating blood regularly, generally the maximum six times annually, since the early 1970s.
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