Aultman is My Hospital
Saving Lives and Making Friends
Louisville resident Bob Stoller, a 38-year First Energy employee, keeps busy during retirement. He likes to travel with his wife Nancy, ride motorcycles, play with his grandkids … and donate platelets through the Aultman Blood Center.
Stoller began donating blood in 1977. “It was a low-key way to help people behind the scenes,” he said. “After donating whole blood for 20 years, I switched to donating platelets.”
Through an automated process called apheresis, blood components such as red cells or platelets are extracted. “The machine spins the blood to separate it because the blood components have different weights,” explained Ruth Bazzoli, RN, Aultman Blood Center apheresis coordinator. “We collect the most needed blood components and return the remaining blood through the same needle used for collection.”
As with whole blood donation, the apheresis process is sanitary and safe. “The system features a sterile, disposable, one-time-use kit,” Bazzoli said. “It includes a needle, tubing and collection kit that goes within the apheresis machine.”
Unlike whole blood donations that can be given every 56 days, platelet donors may give twice a month. Stoller makes his donation time count, as he often gives a double dose of platelets. “Bob has a high platelet count and good veins, so he often gives a double donation,” Bazzoli shared. “Not too many people can do that. It’s a very valuable donation.”
Stoller has donated more than 33 gallons of blood and blood products at the Aultman Blood Center. He encourages people who are hesitant about blood donation to give it a try. “It’s an easy process that doesn’t take a lot of time,” he offered. “It gives you a good feeling to know you’re helping a lot of people.”
After decades of donating, Stoller has gotten to know the Aultman Blood Center staff on a personal level. “Donors like Bob and I have been together a long time,” Bazzoli said. “Over the years, we’ve talked about our kids growing up. And now we share stories about our grandkids!”
In addition to making friends with the Blood Center staff, Stoller has formed bonds with other frequent donors. “I’m in competition with another donor,” he said, “to see if we can get to our maximum of 24 platelet donations a year.”
Learn more about the Aultman Blood Center, and check the event calendar for community blood drives.