A blood supply shortage continues across the nation, according to the American Red Cross, but donors like 73-year-old Sue Cox-Pyatt continue making a difference one pint at a time.
For over half a century Cox-Pyatt has been donating blood — a lot of it, a total of 28 gallons to be exact.
One pint of blood has the potential to save three lives, according to Rachel Flanigan, executive director of the Red Cross’ Southern Nevada chapter.
In Cox-Pyatt’s case, that means over the past 50 years, she has potentially saved nearly 700 lives.
“The thought hasn’t even crossed my mind that it could add up like that,” she said. “It’s a small way to help people.”
In the U.S. just 3 percent of the eligible population donates blood out of 62 percent of the population, Flanigan said. Those donors, she said, are consistently donating blood and keeping the supply flowing.
Cox-Pyatt also has a personal reason to be grateful for blood donors like herself.
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