Driven to Make a Difference
Return to Donor Milestones

Jim and Linda Parker of McPherson, Kansas

While Jim and Linda Parker of McPherson, Kansas may have stumbled into the blood donation process, their unconventional start has driven them to make a difference – literally. Driving cross country to raise awareness of the need to donate, both Jim and Linda have exceeded personal goals and have set a donation record for donating apheresis platelets in each of the 35 American Red Cross Blood Services Regions.

Beginning their journey in March 2004, Linda said they have experienced and met many inspiring people while gaining media attention for their travels along the way.

Linda said, "Jim realized that by doing something different, by donating in every region of the U.S., we could get publicity and media attention and get the word out to people to donate." Both being life long educators, Jim and Linda recognized the need to educate people of the important gift apheresis donors give.

"It just seemed natural to educate the public about donating. It's the cheapest and most efficient way to give back to mankind, and we are serving as role models for children, teaching them the importance of donating when they are old enough," said Linda.

On September 24, 2004, the Parkers made their fourteenth donation at the Red Cross apheresis center in Buffalo, part of the New York-Penn Region. "The people in Buffalo were very hospitable and gracious for our visit. They even got us Buffalo wings to eat while we stayed," said Linda. While in the Buffalo area, the Parkers took advantage of the opportunity to ride on the Erie Canal, a life long dream of Jim's. Spending time in Buffalo, they also visited Niagara Falls. Although the Parkers will have donated in 27 states by the end of their journey in August 2005, they can't take the time to sight see at every location because they make a stop at home in between each of their donation destinations.

"We stop at the places that we have always wanted to see. Being retired teachers, we both wanted to see the Erie Canal while in the New York area. While in California, we visited the Golden Gate Bridge," said Linda.

"There are very few states that we haven't hit during our travels to donate. I think this is something that everyone should have the opportunity to do. There are so many things to see across the country. And I think if we can drive across the country to donate, people can drive across town to make their donation," she said.

Donating their platelets up to 24 times each year through apheresis, the Parkers help ensure that patients in need, especially those enduring chemotherapy treatments, have blood products available when they need them.

While Linda and Jim recognize the critical need for blood products, Linda said she hopes their travels will inspire others to give the "gift of life."

Both agree that donating should be a part of everyone's life routine. Through their journey, Linda said, "I am personally inviting people to go out and donate through apheresis. And when they go out, I encourage people to take a friend with them, so that more people will become life long donors."

Jim & Linda Parker completed their goal of donating apheresis in every Red Cross Region in the continental United States on August 3, 2005. They made their final stop in Baltimore, MD at the Greater Chesapeake & Potomac region.