“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
In 1950, the San Diego Blood Bank was established through the support of the San Diego County Medical Society. From 1950 to 1953, annual donations averaged 27,000 pints in San Diego County. By 1986, donations reached 86,000 pints annually and have exceeded 100,000 for many years now.
Today, the San Diego Blood Bank operates eight full-service regional locations and 10 fully equipped mobile units available for on-site blood drives. One thing that has not changed since the very beginning is the remarkable commitment and selfless spirit of San Diego Blood Bank’s most vital resource – blood donors like John Howard.
San Diego Blood Bank’s entire donor population is solely volunteer and has been since 1974. John Howard is a Blood Product Donor, Financial Supporter, and Blood Drive Volunteer.
#1 I grew up all over the U.S. and overseas. I am a Native Californian with stops in WA, MD, MN, CA, VA, and the Philippines.
#2 Japan is my favorite travel destination. I enjoy the food, Sumo, baseball, and the people. I would also like to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY and Mount Rushmore.
#3 I used to have a great fear of public speaking.
#4 My favorite movies are: “People Will Talk” (1951), “Mister Roberts” (1955), “Lost Horizon” (1937). My favorite books are Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch, Rene Ballard novels, and The Lincoln Lawyer series.
#5 Someone who has positively impacted my life is Gilbert Takaoka, a truly unforgettable and unique individual, co-worker, and friend. He was empathetic, funny, a great storyteller with many friends and acquaintances who, without reservation, welcomed me into his immediate and extended Ohana in Hawaii.
#6 Meeting San Diego Blood Bank’s blood recipients Ella, Kamila, and Selena at blood drives and special events provides all the motivation I will ever need to continue frequent blood product donations and financial gifts to San Diego Blood Bank.
#7 San Diego Blood Bank’s mission is to connect diverse communities to save and improve lives through blood and biotherapies.
#8 In the late 1960s, San Diego Blood Bank was in the forefront of medical technology when they were one of the first blood banks in California to institute hepatitis screening on all donated blood.
#9 San Diego Blood Bank’s Cord Blood Banking Program provides lifesaving stem cell transplants to patients worldwide.
#10 Giving back to the community through voluntary blood donation saves lives, but we do not have to wait and react only to a current situation. We can be proactive and donate on a regular and frequent basis so that blood products are available for everyday requirements and emergencies.
