Rhode Island Blood Center honors top African-American donor

(WJAR) — Donors are needed for Monday's NBC 10 Cares Community Blood Drive.

As that approaches, and in conjunction with Black History Month, the Rhode Island Blood Center honored the top African-American donor.

He is 75-year-old David Walker, who was among the first people to donate blood when the center was established in 1979.

"I get a good feeling when I do it, knowing someone's going to benefit from what I did," Walker said.

• HEALTH CHECK: Newport Hospital offers pet therapy

Walker has given 225 whole blood donations over the years, which is more than 28 gallons and 675 lives saved.

"He's our top African-American donor. He's one of our top overall whole blood donors," said Caitlin Grimaldi, spokesperson for the blood center.

Walker said he started donating blood when he was a service member.

"I started when I was working for the Navy, they would give you six hours of pay if you donated a pint of blood, so that got you time off to do stuff you needed to do," recalled Walker.

• READ MORE: Donate at NBC 10 Cares Community Blood Drive

Even after he left that job, he said he stuck with his donor ways.

"We really need people to follow in Mr. Walker's footsteps and become that loyal donor," said Grimaldi-Flick.

Walker, a husband, father of five, grandfather, and great-grandfather, isn't the only loyal donor in the family.

His wife of 53 years, Jacqueline, is a regular platelet donor, which is especially crucial for people battling cancer.

While there's an urgent need for type O blood, all types are needed.

"We haven't had donors return to pre-pandemic levels," said Grimaldi-Flick.

"More people know their horoscope sign than their blood type, so why not come to the media drive, donate, and then you can join the elite group of 4% who know their horoscope and their blood type," she added.