News

Blood donor’s consistency helps save lives across central Illinois

Blood donor’s consistency helps save lives across central Illinois

David Butt talks to an employee of ImpactLife in Springfield. Photo: WAND News


Springfield, IL (WAND) – For David Butt, donating blood is a regular occurrence.

Butt has donated enough blood to potentially help save 33 human lives, and that number is still growing.

“Donating blood is a fun thing to do,” Butt said.

He also donates platelets, which can help cancer patients. While he doesn’t know everyone his blood has helped, he feels a responsibility to keep showing up.

“You count to eight. Eight pints make a gallon. You count to eight; the pints are another gallon. So I’m watching myself and pushing myself to continue moving up this ladder because it’s something I can do,” Butt said.

David is living proof that it only takes a little bit of time to make a big impact.

“In February and once again in March and in April, my donations all were targeted to someone, and that made me feel pretty good that I knew that someone nearby, someone in central Illinois or possibly the Metro East area, was benefiting,” Butt said.

ImpactLife Donor Director Tara Matheson explains that consistent blood donations help maintain a stable blood supply across central Illinois.

However, complications arise if the blood supply gets low.

“Always a chance that the blood’s not going to be on hand when there’s someone [who] needs it in a trauma situation or a cancer patient receiving transfusions,” Matheson said.

Butt’s consistency will soon land him in the National Blood Donor Hall of Fame later this year.

“I was surprised that our organization was able to get me as a second inductee in a consecutive year, and I was pleased,” Butt said.

Just one donation can make all the difference.

David encourages students and families at the University of Illinois to compete in the Big Ten Blood Donation Challenge.

The winning university gets $1 million toward health services on campus.

Recent Headlines

2 days ago in Entertainment, Music

MusiCares to honor U2 as 2027 Persons of the Year at a star-studded Grammy-weekend gala

MusiCares will honor Irish band U2 as its Persons of the Year at a February gala kicking off Grammy Awards weekend. Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. will be celebrated at a Feb. 5 dinner and tribute concert at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Snoop Dogg brings the VMAs back to Los Angeles as host for Sept. 27 show

The MTV Video Music Awards are returning to the West Coast this month and they've got a very West Coast host — Snoop Dogg.

2 days ago in National, Trending

US marks 25 years since the Sept. 11 attacks

Americans are commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, remembering the shock, the dead and the sweeping consequences of the al-Qaida attacks on symbols of U.S. might and prosperity.

3 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Girl Scouts’ first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January

Man's best friend is getting some love from the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the USA said Tuesday its first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January.