Steve Morse

How many lives have helped save recently? While most of us probably can't give a definitive answer to that question, Steve Morse can. It's 402.

A 70 year-old gentleman from Benton, Mo., Morse has given blood 402 times over the past 42 years. Making the 17-mile trip from his home every other Friday, Morse has selflessly given the equivalent of 50 gallons of blood.

Morse's blood giving campaign started when his ex-wife was about to give birth to their second child. His then-wife needed a Rhogam shot, and the hospital had a policy that such shots would be free if three units of blood were donated.

His blood giving routine includes donating "double" blood platelets, a more in-depth process than a normal blood donation. Giving platelets takes about 70 to 90 minutes to complete. Blood platelets are especially important for individuals going through chemotherapy.

Steve Morse and his generous actions are an inspiration. Whether it's helping a chemotherapy patient or providing life saving blood for individuals in an accident, blood donations are a critical component to the health and well being of many. Consider contacting the local Red Cross and joining the effort to help those in need of blood.