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Local man makes 100th blood donation

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Greene County News

BEAVERCREEK — Beavercreek citizen Alan Berry is a volunteer builder, a career Air Force veteran, and a “Donor for Life.” He made his first blood donation at age 13, and, at age 81, he recently made his 100 donation with Community Blood Center.

Berry made many other donations over the years before becoming a CBC donor, but his memory of that first donation is the most vivid.

“A relative needed a blood transfusion,” he said. “That was in Illinois, that’s how I got started. I was only 13 and my dad had to sign for me. He was going to donate too. Our relative survived … for a short time.”

Restrictions on young donors have changed since the 1940s — the earliest anyone can donate with CBC is age 16, with parental consent.

Berry spent 23 years in active duty with the Air Force then worked with government contractors at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He retired completely in 1996. Berry and his wife, Carolyn, have five children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“They’re all great,” he said.

He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity for as long as he was physical able and helped build 27 homes for the underprivileged in Greene County. Good health has helped him continue as a “Donor for Life.”

“I’ve been coming here regularly,” he said about the countdown to his 100 donation. “I wanted to wait until this time of year. There’s always a need during the holiday season.”

His experience in the service continues to inspire him to give.

“I was in the military,” Berry said. “I was fortunate, but I knew people who needed blood. It’s a good thing to do.”

Submitted photo Alan Berry has been donating blood since he was 13 years old. Now, at 81 years old, he has made his 100 donation.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2016/12/web1_Alan-Berry-100-LTD.jpgSubmitted photo Alan Berry has been donating blood since he was 13 years old. Now, at 81 years old, he has made his 100 donation.

Story courtesy of Community Blood Center.